We know that autistic people and families need support right now. They need advice they can trust from people who understand. That's why we're developing the Tips Hub, where people can access community tips and evidence-based resources. The hub will be created by the autistic community for the autistic community, and backed by research evidence to ensure the information is of the highest quality to support autistic people, their families, and the professionals who work with them.
Explaining the need for the Tips Hub
A lot of people are already sharing advice online in different places. It can be hard to know where to look for reliable and helpful information and avoid sites that are misleading or harmful. Online forums are rarely moderated, and many don’t include information that is independently verified or based on evidence. We believe that autistic people deserve access to the highest quality information that meets their everyday needs. That's why we are developing the Tips Hub, which will provide resources across three main topics:
- Everyday tips
- Mental health tips
- Tips for professionals
Over the past year we have been planning our strategic Goals, to create practical solutions that address the priorities of the autistic community. One of those Goals is that by 2030 all autistic people will have proven support from day one. We are investing in research to improve support and services, but we know that we need solutions to support autistic people now. The aim of the Tips Hub is to provide practical tips and information to support autistic people and their families, from mental health challenges, everyday tips and evidence-based guidance for professionals working with autistic people.
About the Tips Hub App
The Tips Hub is an online app that is free and will be accessible to everyone. It will allow autistic people and their supporters to ask questions, share tips or comments and engage with other people in the community. We also know that it will be managed by Autistica and our panel of experts to ensure that the advice given and the content are appropriate and safe.
The process
Right now we are trying to understand what autistic people, families and professionals need from the Tips Hub. We are testing the app with our target users before launching publically.
How this project is making more of a difference
We can provide immediate support for autistic people and families by creating a trusted place where they can go for advice. The Tips Hub will provide a safe space for the community to ask questions, get responses from others with a similar experience and be part of a community that is heard, understood, and supported. Users of the app can quickly find and share a range of practical solutions and information to try to help with the challenges they face.
How to get involved
If you are autistic, a family member or carer
Join the Autistica Network for updates about how and when you can get involved.
If you are a partner or funder
We are looking for a sponsor to help us build our Tips Hub. This could be a tech partner to support us pro-bono, or a funder to support development costs. Get in touch with fundraising@autistica.org.uk if you would like to know more.
If you are one of the community members, families or professionals testing out the Tips Hub, you'll soon receive information directly from our research team.