Derbyshire autism post-diagnostic support

Diagnosed or self-identify as autistic and want to learn more what does it mean for you?
Need to come to terms with being autistic?
Would like to meet other autistic peolple and hear their stories and strategies?
Need 1:1 support to build confidence, wellbeing and positive identity?
Would just like to lurk and listen until you are more comfortable?

Whatever stage of autism journey you are at, this support package will offer the right support for you.

This service is free for autistic people because it is funded by the Derbyshire Integrated Care Board.

We at Neurodiverse Self Advocacy (NDSA) are managing this service for all the partners delivering the package. Other partners are ANC and Wellbeing Whizz.

Designed and delivered by autistic autism professionals, this service promotes peer support and agency and empowerment of autistic people. We take a neuroafirmative strengths based approach and celebrate the autistic differences and way of being. We promote confidence, wellbeing, positive autistic identity and self-advocacy.

Autistic people told NDSA that they prefer support delivered by autistic peers and autistic professionals, that they want a mix of online and face-to-face, one to one and group support and an option for self-paced online course and support group. This service is designed to offer such experience.

The post diagnostic package includes a choice of 1:1 support in combination with online and face-to face groups.

I think it is that we are welcomed to turn up in the way that suits us best, that we are welcomed to give feedback and share as much or as little as we want, no cutting people off or telling them they are wrong to be the way they are. A safe and accepting place to be autistic.”

Welcome, support and orientation

Email: marta.walkowski@ndsa.uk

Tel: 07907176827

Meet the team

Pathway Mentoring Programme

20 1:1 online mentoring sessions
Online course
A support group of autistic people

ANC coaching

Six 1:1 sessions on specific issues

Wellbeing Whizz

Up to two 1:1 support sessions

i-Autistic support and learning group

6 sessions of learning, exploration and discussion

Local face to face monthly drop in social and information group sessions

Locations are:

Derby, Belper, Chesterfield, Matlock, Long Eaton, Swadlincote, Glossop, and also online.

Enrolment open to:

Derbyshire autistic residents
Diagnosed or self-identified
Adults 18+ (no upper age limit).

To enrol in any of the above activities except face to face groups register here

See more details below

Pathway Mentoring Programme

The programme is now full.

This is the programme to understand what autism means to you, to recognise your strengths, set your goals and progress towards them. We are helping autistic people to achieve self-knowledge, confidence, and significantly better wellbeing.

• Do you need to understand what it means and doesn’t mean to be autistic?
• Struggling to set and achieve your goals?
• Need a supportive community to navigate your autistic identity?

Take a step towards better confidence and wellbeing and join the NDSA Pathway mentoring programme.

The programme is designed by autistic people for autistic people based on research by Damian Milton. It includes:

20 weekly one hour online 1:1 mentoring sessions with a trained autistic mentor
A series of talks and discussions about exploring autism and wellbeing (online course)
A weekly online support group.

“The programme content has been so great, and it really feels like an amazing space because (a) everyone understands (and I’d gone my whole life thinking no one could understand me), (b) I was *so* inspired, right from the start, by Marie & Co for setting it all up (seeing what amazing autistic individuals on a forum can do working together dispelled any feelings I was useless or broken or ineffective – we can be powerful), but ALSO by the other people in the group – I identified with them, saw how they were ND and really liked them for it (I could NEVER like myself before I knew I was ND) – just the first information session was a great start for a positive autistic ID! NDSA has made such an amazing difference to my life in such a short time. I really mean it. The discussions are so good too – there’s a real hive mind thing going on. People saying things you thought were only ever in your head.”

Learn more about what others say.

Our Pathway mentoring programme will take you on a journey to explore and re-think positively what it means (and doesn’t mean) to be autistic and to help you to feel effective, empowered and tangibly improve your wellbeing by exploring your strengths and setting and achieving your goals.

The mentoring will help you to problem solve, to understand your strengths, sort out a sense of direction in your life and gain confidence.

Goal oriented problem solving, positive autistic identity and a sense of connected-ness and belonging are central to autistic wellbeing and quality of life. This is best achieved in a community of autistic people.
Our Pathway programme provides such a community where you can be your au-thentic self without being judged. Feeling empathized with, accepted, and validated goes a long way towards building wellbeing, agency, and resilience.

Learn more: https://ndsa.uk/tool-up/pathway-wellbeing-mentoring-programme/

How to use Zoom video-conferencing

Learn how to use video-conferencing like Zoom here. If you need support get in touch with us.

Autism and Neurodiversity Coaching

Ben offers up to 6 individual coaching sessions on specific issues.

This service is aimed at individuals who would benefit from short term coaching on specific topics, especially Autism & ADHD.

Also available for:

 Dyspraxia
 OCD
 Anxiety
 Entrepreneurs & creatives
 Those who have had issues in workplaces such as office environments
 Those involved in sports
 Identifying strengths
 Coping mechanisms
 Executive functioning
 Life skills/hacks
 Social skills

This is not an exhaustive list, our aim is to provide you with the best support possible.

Delivered by a qualified Autism Practitioner with lived experience of Autism, ADHD, Dyspraxia, OCD & Anxiety

“Ben is a great coach. He has an excellent understanding of neurodiversity and autism, and I gained a lot from my coaching sessions with him. […] As someone who, at the time, was fairly recently diagnosed with ASC and trying to come to terms with my diagnosis, Ben’s support was really invaluable.”

Wellbeing Whizz

Up to two wellbeing 1:1 coaching sessions. This includes an initial appointment and a follow up. These calm and supportive sessions offer space to process your diagnosis or any other aspect of your wellbeing, ask questions, and take empowering steps forward.

Abby is a neurodivergent wellbeing specialist combining personal and professional experience to provide one-to-one wellbeing sessions for autistic adults. These stand-alone sessions offer a calm, supportive and non-judgmental space to process your diagnosis, explore what it means for you, and begin to build confidence in your autistic identity. Abby works in a neuroaffirming, strengths-based way—helping you feel heard, understood, and supported to take steps toward a more balanced and empowered life.

“It was exactly what I needed and you have given me food for thought. It was great to be vulnerable with you and share the limiting beliefs that have been stopping me from growing my business. Thank you for being so easy to open up to and I can’t wait for our next check-in.”

i-Autistic support and learning group

Join us for a 6-week support group for autistic individuals, their families, and support networks.

This group is facilitated by autistic professionals with lived experience, offering expert insights into autism and practical strategies for thriving, better health and wellbeing. There is a group discussion people sharing strategies and experiences.

Why Attend?

The meetings programme covers a wide variety of topics, including:
Neurodiversity and autistic people’s rights
Autism theories and communication strategies
Sensory sensitivities, meltdowns, and burnout
Wellbeing and mental health management tools
Strengths-based approaches and resilience building
Social prescribing and transition planning

Practical, Actionable Strategies:

We will introduce you to real-world, hands-on strategies that can be immediately applied in everyday situations. You will gain tools that can help improve well-being and enhance social and environmental links.

When: Every Thursday at 1 pm, or Tuesdays at 7 pm online.

We will gauge the demant for face-to-face groups, so contact Marta at marta.walkowski@ndsa.uk.

Local face to face monthly drop ins

These are social and information group sessions held monthly, an autism-friendly space to connect, relax and feel supported.

This group is facilitated by autistic professionals with lived experience, offering expert insights into autism and practical strategies for thriving, better health and wellbeing.

What does it inolve?

Meet other autistic people
Learn more about autism and being autistic
Socialise and have a laugh
Play board games
Have a discussion about practical autism thriving strategies
Feel accepted and supported by the autistic community

Locations

Matlock – 1st Monday of the month – 1-3 pm. Book at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/autism-drop-in-session-in-matlock-tickets-1388292443069

Long Eaton – 1st Wed – 1-3 pm. Book at: https://bit.ly/3FPUfCY

Belper – 2nd Wednesday of the month 4-6 pm. Book at: https://bit.ly/4ndCfDF

Swadlincote – 3rd Monday of the month – 12:30 – 2:30 pm. Book at: https://bit.ly/45iRpkj

Derby (afternoon) – 3rd Wednesday of the month 4-6 pm. Book at: https://bit.ly/3HRg6ug

Chesterfield – 4th Wednesday of the month 4-6 pm. Book at: https://shorturl.at/A41D7

Glossop – 3rd Monday at 1 to 3 pm. Book: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/autism-drop-in-meetup-in-glossop-tickets-1964398957161

Online (evening) – 3rd Wednesday of the month 6:30-8:30 pm. Book at: https://shorturl.at/WRCWo

How to use Zoom video-conferencing

Learn how to use video-conferencing like Zoom here. If you need support get in touch with us.

Other support

For inhabitants of Derbyshire County (not for Derby City):

We offer 121 coaching and group training sessions. All services are remote. There are 3 coaches and 3 trainers delivering the sessions.

To note – we cover the whole of Derbyshire except Derby City Council due to it being a Derbyshire County Council led contract.

Our website:

https://www.derbyshireautismese.co.uk/

Current Training dates:

https://www.derbyshireautismese.co.uk/training-dates/

Contact page:

https://www.derbyshireautismese.co.uk/contact-us/

Referral form

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAO__WK54PdURVRSMFlQMVBURkxNMkRRT09aOFNBTkdWVy4u&route=shorturl

Derbyshire autism post-diagnostic support