Autism Resource Hub

Communication Access UK – Training and resources

Communication Access UK provides free training and practical resources to support inclusive communication for people with speech, language, and communication needs. This platform is ideal for individuals, teams, and organisations looking to improve accessibility and become Communication Accessible.

What’s available?

• Real-life stories from people with communication difficulties
• Downloadable handouts and posters (e.g. TALK prompts for face-to-face, phone, and remote communication)
• Easy-read guides and symbol sets
• Information on conditions that affect communication
• Guidance on applying Communication Access standards
• Free e-Learning training

To access the e-learning, you’ll need to create a free account via the main dashboard. The training is short, accessible, and designed to help you understand how to support people with communication needs in everyday interactions.

Create your free account and access free training from Communications Access UK

Explore the full range of resources from Communication Access UK

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Talking Mats – A tool for better communication

Talking Mats is an award-winning, evidence-based communication tool developed by Speech and Language Therapists. It helps people with communication difficulties express their thoughts, feelings, and preferences more clearly and confidently.

Who can benefit?

• People with learning disabilities, autism, dementia, stroke, or mental health conditions
• Children and adults who find it hard to express themselves verbally
• Professionals in health, social care, education, and justice settings who want to support person-centred communication

How does it work?

Talking Mats uses a simple visual framework: a mat, symbol cards, and a scale (e.g. “like / unsure / don’t like”). The person places symbols on the mat to show how they feel about different topics, helping them organise their thoughts and communicate more effectively.

Why use it?

• Encourages choice and control
• Reduces anxiety and frustration
• Supports shared decision-making
• Helps uncover views that might otherwise go unspoken

How to access it

To use Talking Mats, you need to complete their Foundation Training, available:

• Online or face-to-face
• With access to Digital Talking Mats, a web-based version of the tool
• Additional resources and symbol sets are available for trained users

Visit the Talking Mats website to learn more or register for training

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Comic Strip Conversations – Supporting social understanding

The Comic Strip Conversations resource, developed by the Neurodevelopmental Team at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB), provides a visual tool to help children and young people explore and understand social situations and emotions.

What is it?

Comic Strip Conversations are simple drawings that use stick figures, speech bubbles, and thought bubbles to break down social interactions. They help individuals reflect on what was said, what was thought, and how people felt during a situation.

Who can benefit?

• Children and young people with autism, learning disabilities, or social communication difficulties
• Parents, carers, educators, and professionals supporting individuals who may struggle to understand or express emotions and social cues

Why use it?

• Encourages emotional awareness and perspective-taking
• Helps clarify misunderstandings in a non-threatening way
• Supports problem-solving and learning from past experiences
• Provides a visual and structured way to talk about feelings

Important disclaimer

This tool should only be used if you feel competent and confident, and where necessary, under the supervision of a qualified professional such as a Speech and Language Therapist or Psychologist. It is not intended as a standalone intervention for complex emotional or behavioural needs.

View the Talking Strip Conversations resource and examples

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Autism and communication

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Social Stories – Helping people understand the world around them

This resource from Suffolk Family Carers introduces Social Stories - short, structured narratives that explain everyday situations, behaviours, or expectations in a clear and reassuring way. Originally developed for children, Social Stories can also be highly effective for adults, particularly those with autism, learning disabilities, or communication difficulties.

What are Social Stories?

They use simple language and visuals to describe:

• What is happening
• Why it’s happening
• What the person can do in response

These stories help reduce anxiety, support understanding, and promote independence by preparing individuals for new or challenging situations.

Who can benefit?

• Children and adults with autism, learning disabilities, or social communication needs
• Parents, carers, educators, and professionals supporting neurodivergent individuals

How to use them

• The site provides free example stories that can be downloaded and adapted
• Stories should be tailored to the individual, using person-centred language and relevant scenarios
• Involving the person in creating or reviewing the story can increase its effectiveness

Important disclaimer

Social Stories should only be used if you feel competent and confident, and where necessary, under the supervision of a qualified professional such as a Speech and Language Therapist, Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo), or Psychologist. They are not a substitute for professional assessment or therapeutic intervention.

Explore the Social Stories resource and examples

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Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) intranet page – Staff access only

This internal Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) intranet page provides information for staff about the Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) service, including:

• Team contacts and referral guidance
• Resources on communication and swallowing (dysphagia)
• Links to training, policies, and easy-read materials

Please note this page is for GMMH staff use only and includes clinical resources and referral processes that require appropriate training and access.

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Introduction to Signalong

Signalong is a key-word signing system designed to support spoken language and improve communication for individuals with speech, language, and communication needs, including those with learning disabilities. It uses signs derived from British Sign Language (BSL), but is adapted to be used in spoken word order alongside speech, facial expression, and body language.

How carers and staff can use the website

• Access free resources: The website offers downloadable materials such as themed sign packs, handshape posters, and videos. These can be used in everyday settings to reinforce communication and support understanding.
• Use in daily activities: Staff can integrate signs from the resources into routines, group sessions, or one-to-one interactions to help individuals express needs, feelings, and choices.
• Support learning and engagement: The materials include songs, visual aids, and activity-based signs that make learning fun and interactive - ideal for use in schools, care settings, or at home.
• Promote consistency: By using the same signs across different environments, staff and carers can help individuals build confidence and consistency in their communication.
• Training and development: The site also links to training opportunities for those who want to deepen their understanding and use of Signalong in professional practice.

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British Sign Language (BSL) SignBank

BSL SignBank is an online dictionary and learning resource for British Sign Language (BSL). It provides videos of signs used by deaf people across the UK, including regional variations, fingerspelling, and signs for everyday topics like colours, numbers, and place names. It’s designed to support learning, understanding, and consistent use of BSL.

How service users can use it

• Explore and learn: Individuals who use BSL or are learning it can browse signs by topic or handshape, helping them expand their vocabulary.
• Practice independently: The video format allows users to see signs in action, making it easier to learn at their own pace.

How carers and families can use it

• Support communication at home: Learn signs that help with everyday interactions, such as emotions, routines, or health-related terms.
• Encourage engagement: Use the site together with the person you support to build shared understanding and confidence in using BSL.

How staff can use it

• Improve communication: Use the site to learn and reinforce BSL signs relevant to your service users, improving day-to-day interactions.
• Plan inclusive activities: Incorporate signs into group sessions, care routines, or therapy to make communication more accessible.
• Support training: Use the videos and search tools to support staff development and Deaf awareness training.

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Using communication passport templates: A guide for carers and staff

Communication Passports are personalised tools that help individuals - especially those with learning disabilities or complex communication needs - share key information about themselves. They promote person-centred care by giving people a voice in how they are supported.

What the Communication Passport website offers

• A range of free downloadable templates in formats like PowerPoint, Keynote, Book Creator, and Canva.
• Templates include a title page, index, and up to 16 suggested content pages (e.g. likes/dislikes, communication style, health needs).
• Simple design with space for photos, graphics, and text, making it easy to personalise.

How carers and staff can use the templates

Download and customise:

• Choose the format that suits your setting (e.g. PowerPoint for editable digital use).
• Add the individual’s photo, name, and personal details.
• Use only the pages that are relevant—passports should ideally be under 20 pages.

Involve the individual:

• Wherever possible, co-create the passport with the person it’s about.
• Use their own words, preferences, and choices to make it truly person-centred.

Use in practice:

• Share the passport with all staff involved in the person’s care.
• Use it during transitions (e.g. hospital visits, new staff, school changes) to ensure continuity.
• Keep it updated as the person’s needs or preferences change.

Print or present digitally:

• Passports can be printed for physical use or enhanced with audio and animations for digital presentation.

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Autism communication tool

The Autism Communication Tool, developed by GMMH is a practical tool designed to help communication between autistic adults and those who support them.

The tool includes several helpful sections:

• How to communicate with the person
• How the person prefers to communicate with you
• What is important to the person
• What helps and what doesn’t help
• Guidance on how to use the tool

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My Health Passport

'My Health Passport' is a simple, editable document that helps you share important information about your needs, preferences, and communication style with healthcare professionals.

View or download the autism health passport from the National Autistic Society

How to use the health passport

Service users:

• fill in the passport before appointments or hospital visits
• share it with staff so they understand your needs quickly

Healthcare professionals:

• read the passport before providing care
• use it to guide reasonable adjustments and improve communication

Reasonable adjustments checklist

Reasonable Adjustments (RA) are simple changes that help make services fair and accessible for autistic people and those with learning disabilities. These adjustments are a legal requirement under the Equality Act 2010 and ensure everyone can access care and support without unnecessary barriers. Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides reasonable adjustment checklists for education, employment and healthcare. 

How can service users and families use this resource?

• Complete the appropriate checklist.
• Learn what adjustments you can ask for.
• Share your needs with staff so we can support you better.

How can staff use this resource?

• Identify barriers in your service and plan adjustments.
• Train your team on autism awareness and communication strategies.
• Embed RA into your policies and care pathways.
• Ask service users to complete a reasonable adjustments checklist prior to meeting or working with them. 

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Autistic Space Framework

The Autistic Space Framework is designed to help professionals create environments that focus on physical spaces, social interactions, and service processes to ensure they meet the needs of autistic people.

Please note the link is for the full article however you can quickly refer to the images and tables in the text which summarise adjustments which could be helpful to put in place.  

Service users can use this to consider if any of these reasonable adjustments would be helpful, and to advocate for these to be in put in place when accessing healthcare. 

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Autism Plan on a Page

The Autism Plan on a Page is a brief, visual profile designed to support an autistic person by outlining their key needs, strengths, and helpful strategies. It provides an at‑a‑glance overview that helps others understand how to best support the individual in daily life, learning, work, and social environments.

Key areas covered in the plan

• Community living
• Routines
• Social Interaction
• Sensory
• Communication
• Individual Strengths
• Adjustments / what others can do
• Coping strategies