Updates to our Autism guidance

The information in the updated guidance aims to be a useful resource for SLTs, providing guidance on evidence-based practice and encouraging critical thinking and self-reflection in all aspects of this work. We have created guidance specifically for our members in their capacity delivering speech and language therapy support (including a list of relevant resources) and a guide for members of the public who want to find out more about the important role speech and language therapy can play in supporting autistic people. Both sets of guidance are open to all and do not need to be viewed with a log in.  

Co-produced by speech and language therapists, autistic adults, and parents/carers of autistic children, young people and adults, each set of guidance was opened for feedback and consultation earlier in 2023. The working group included autistic professionals, autistic adults with service experience, and advocates for autistic people, including those advocating for autistic people with additional support needs. The group covered a breadth of experience, including all ages and wide-ranging experience of service delivery in a variety of settings, and across the four nations of the UK. 

The RCSLT actively encourages that the information in these guidance pages is scrutinised and engaged with critically, placing the needs and wants of the individuals which the guidance is designed to help support at the forefront of all decision making and best practice.   

We’d like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has provided their expertise, feedback and input into the guidance at each stage of the process.