Reading List

These sources support the course and help you check local autism-awareness, reasonable-adjustment, communication and escalation procedures. Support staff are not expected to memorise every legal or regulatory detail, but local procedures should reflect current guidance.

• NHS: Autism - Public-facing overview of autism, signs, diagnosis, everyday life and support routes.
• NICE Quality Standard QS51: Autism - Health and social care quality standard covering adults, young people and children with autism.
• National Autistic Society: What is autism? - Explanation of autism, the spectrum, masking, strengths and avoiding assumptions.
• National Autistic Society: Autism and communication - Practical background on communication differences and support.
• National Autistic Society: Autism and sensory processing - Relevant to sensory pressure in waiting areas, bright rooms and close-contact optical tasks.
• National Autistic Society: Meltdowns - Information on overload responses and why staff should respond calmly.
• NHS England: Accessible Information Standard - Explains expectations for accessible information and communication support in NHS and publicly funded adult social care services.
• NHS England: Reasonable adjustments - Practical examples including plain English information, longer appointments, quiet spaces and recording adjustment needs.
• NHS England: Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flag action checklist - Checklist for recording, sharing, meeting, reviewing and updating reasonable adjustment needs in NHS England contexts.
• GOV.UK: Oliver McGowan code of practice - England statutory training code for CQC-registered health and social care providers; useful context where it applies.
• GOV.UK: National strategy for autistic children, young people and adults 2021 to 2026 - England autism strategy and wider policy context.
• GOV.UK: Disability quick start guide for service providers - Guidance on disability discrimination and reasonable adjustments for service providers.
• GOV.WALES: Guidance on autism services - Wales-specific autism services guidance supporting the statutory code of practice.
• Scottish Government: Autism and learning disabilities - Scotland policy context for autistic people and those with learning or intellectual disabilities.
• Department of Health Northern Ireland: Autism Strategy 2023-2028 - Northern Ireland autism strategy and action-plan context.
• GOC: Care of patients in vulnerable circumstances - Optical guidance on vulnerability, reasonable adjustments and person-centred practice.
• GOC Standard 2: Communicate effectively with your patients - Guidance on clear information, explaining roles and recognising unspoken signals.
• GOC Standard 3: Obtain valid consent - Guidance on informed, voluntary and ongoing consent.
• GOC Standard 4: Show care and compassion for your patients - Guidance on respectful, compassionate support.
• GOC Standard 13: Show respect for fairness to others and do not discriminate - Guidance on reasonable adjustments, dignity and non-discrimination.
• GOC Standard 14: Maintain confidentiality and respect your patients' privacy - Relevant when recording and sharing adjustments, companions and sensitive information.
• GOC Optical Business Standard 1.3: Communication is clear and effective - Business guidance for accessible, clear communication systems.
• GOC Optical Business Standard 1.4: Patients can give valid consent to treatment - Business guidance on consent support and capacity uncertainty.
• GOC Optical Business Standard 2.4: Confidentiality is respected - Business guidance for recording and sharing adjustment information appropriately.
• GOC Optical Business Standard 3.3: Staff are adequately supervised and supported - Supports staff training, handover and escalation routes.
• Fixers UK: 5 things about living with autism - Lived-experience video used in the course.