Resources for Autistic People and Their Families

The most useful resource is often a person who understands the system — and can help you navigate it. That is what SoftRose is here for.

Not sure where to start? Talk to us.

Finding the right support for an autistic person can feel overwhelming — especially when you are new to the system. There is a great deal of information out there, and it is not always clear what applies to your situation, your area, or your child's specific needs. The right path for one family may be the wrong path for another.

At SoftRose, we help families cut through the noise. Whether you are trying to understand a recent diagnosis, find a school that is the right fit, identify a therapist with genuine autism experience, or just figure out what questions to ask — we can help you find your footing. We know the landscape, we know the system, and we know how to listen.

Reach out to us directly. We will listen, understand your situation, and point you toward the most suitable next step — without jargon, without pressure, and without cost.

What we can help with

Every situation is different. Whatever your starting point, we will work through it with you.

  • Understanding a diagnosis

    Whether you or your child has just received a diagnosis, or you are still working out what it means — we can help you make sense of it and know what to do next.

  • Finding a suitable school

    We can help you understand what types of school might be the right fit, and how to go about securing a place — including through the EHCP process.

  • Identifying therapists

    Finding a therapist with genuine autism experience is not easy. We can help you identify the right questions to ask and what to look for in any provider.

  • Navigating EHCP applications

    From the initial request to annual reviews and tribunal appeals, the EHCP process is complex. We help families understand every stage.

  • Understanding your rights

    Your rights in education, social care, and benefits can be confusing and are often not clearly explained. We help families understand what they are entitled to — and how to ask for it.

  • Finding peer support

    Connecting with others who share your experience can be invaluable. We can help you find local and online autistic community groups and parent networks.

Every situation is different. Get in touch and we will work through it with you.

Email us: info@softrose.org

Worth reading

A selection of thoughtful, well-regarded books on autism — for families, newly diagnosed individuals, and anyone who wants to understand more.

  • The Reason I Jump

    Naoki Higashida

    A first-person account of what it is like to be autistic and non-speaking, written by a 13-year-old. One of the most widely read books in the autism world — brief, accessible, and genuinely illuminating.

  • Unmasking Autism

    Devon Price

    Explores masking, late diagnosis, and autistic identity. Particularly relevant for adults who have spent a lifetime suppressing their autistic traits — and for those supporting them.

  • The Explosive Child

    Ross W. Greene

    A collaborative problem-solving approach for children who struggle with demand and inflexibility. Widely used by families of children with PDA profiles and autistic children who have difficulty with adult-imposed expectations.

  • I Think I Might Be Autistic

    Cynthia Kim

    Written specifically for women and adults considering or pursuing a late diagnosis. Practical, honest, and grounded in lived experience.

  • NeuroTribes

    Steve Silberman

    A comprehensive history of autism and the neurodiversity movement. Provides essential context for understanding how attitudes and science have evolved — and where we are today.

  • Uniquely Human

    Barry Prizant

    A warm, humanistic perspective on autism from a leading clinician. Focuses on understanding autistic behaviour as meaningful communication, not problems to be managed.

These books are presented as reading suggestions only — we have no commercial relationship with any publishers or authors. They are listed because we think they are genuinely useful.