Autism Central is a peer education programme that brings together quality guidance from trusted sources, so that families feel empowered to navigate the services available to them.

It also helps autistic people, their parents and carers share knowledge through peer education.

Every stage of this project was co-created with autistic people and their families.

Many parents, carers and personal assistants of autistic people report they do not have access to the information and guidance they need. Without access to good quality information, many autistic people and their families or carers may miss out on the support that is available to them, or struggle to navigate services.

By providing access to high-quality knowledge and guidance, we can help families and carers to better support autistic people in their lives and look after their own wellbeing.

Autism Central offers consistency in autism education and training resources in an accessible way. It allows families and carers of autistic people to improve their knowledge about autism. Autism Central also empowers them to advocate for their autistic family member to get the right adaptations in place for the services they use.

Autism Central is a peer education programme that brings together quality guidance from trusted sources and helps autistic people, their parents and carers share their knowledge and experience with each other.

There are seven Autism Central hubs across England, where families can access one-to-one and group sessions led by trained and experienced peer educators. Each session is delivered by family members and carers of autistic people who have been trained to share their knowledge and signpost families to services and resources they may need. The one-to-one sessions are in addition to high-quality online learning and information about local services on the Autism Central website

Although aimed at parents and carers of autistic people, the resources could also be useful for autistic people without caring responsibilities, and other people within their wider network.

Every stage of the project is created in collaboration with autistic people, their families and carers, to ensure the programme is inclusive and accessible to empower autistic people and their families.

We were a partner for the first two and a half years of Autism Central. On 1 October 2025, the project transitioned to the Anna Freud organisation, a leading mental health charity with a strong background in supporting children, young people, families and the professionals around them.

Our role in Autism Central was to help:

• Identify the necessary quality adjustments and improvements to the programme
  
• Show the potential for reach and impact on improving the lives and wellbeing of autistic people and their families, and
• Demonstrate value for money.

If you are interested in becoming a peer educator or would like to access the Autism Central resources yourself, you can find out more on the Autism Central website.

From the Autism Central website, you can:

• Explore topics such as diagnosis, employment and mental health, and learn quality information from trusted sources
  
  
• Find help. Search for your regional hub to find in-person groups and one-to-one sessions
  
  
• Take part in events. Join a workshop, drop-in session, coffee morning or virtual meet-up and talk to other people who have similar experiences to you
  
  
• Access online learning. Improve your understanding from resources and personal stories from other parents and carers.