Frequently Asked Questions

Spectrum 10K is an academic research project. We cannot offer clinical advice.  

If you think you (or a relative) are autistic you should discuss this with your General  Practitioner (GP) or family physician in the first instance, and if appropriate, ask for a referral to a local child development centre (CDC), community paediatric service, child and adolescent  service, or adult diagnostic service specialising in autism. If you are in the UK, details of clinics  nearest you are available from the National Autistic Society (NAS) (free telephone helpline: 0808 800 4104).

As well as your GP and the NHS, there are a number of autism charities in the UK can that offer support and advice on autism  and mental health. Below is a list of some of these charities: 

• Action for Asperger’s offers support to relatives and friends of someone who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.
• Ambitious about Autism is a national charity for autistic children and young autistic people.
• Asperger’s Syndrome UK offers support to those with a child or adult diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. 
• Autism Alliance is a network of 16 autism charities and supports thousands of autistic adults and children across the UK.  
• Autism Independent UK helps to increase awareness of autism and improve the quality of life for autistic people. 
• Child Autism UK is an autism charity based in Ascot, Berkshire which provides information and support for parents of autistic children. 
• National Autistic Society is the UK’s largest provider of specialist autism services for  autistic people, parents and carers and professionals. The NAS also provides a list of local branches.

If you or a family member are worried about your/their mental health, you can call the  Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. A list of other mental health charities and helplines, for both adults and children, can be found here.