These services are essential for parents supporting vulnerable 16+ young people:
Resources to support young people's mental health, including with Self Harm
Preparing for Adulthood 16+
Supporting a neurodivergent young person as they move beyond 16 and towards adulthood can be both exciting and overwhelming. It is a stage marked by major transitions—greater independence, new responsibilities, leaving school, entering further education or work, managing relationships, navigating health and social care systems, and making meaningful choices about their future. For some young people, this journey also includes managing challenging behaviours, staying safe around drugs and alcohol, or coping with difficulties in remaining in education or securing employment.
Parents and carers often find themselves searching for reliable, practical guidance that reflects the realities of life for neurodivergent young adults. The digital landscape can feel crowded and confusing, and knowing where to look for trustworthy, up‑to‑date information is essential.
This section brings together a carefully selected range of digital resources designed specifically to support parents of neurodivergent young people aged 16 and over. These platforms offer guidance on preparing for adulthood, fostering independence, understanding legal rights, supporting emotional and behavioural needs, and helping young people access further education, training, employment and community life.
Whether your young person is taking their first steps into adulthood or is already navigating early adult challenges, these resources aim to support you both—equipping you with knowledge, reassurance, and practical tools to help them thrive in the next chapter of their lives.
These services are essential for parents supporting vulnerable 16+ young people:
Resources to support young people's mental health, including with Self Harm
To find out what options your young person has when they leave school, check out our comprehensive section on Post 16 Options for young people with additional needs.
To find out what options your young person has when they leave school, check out our comprehensive section on Post 16 Options for young people with additional needs.
Preparing for adulthood is an important journey for every young person, and for neurodivergent young people and their families, the transition can bring both exciting opportunities and new challenges.
Here you’ll find guidance, practical tools, and local services designed to support neurodivergent young people as they move towards greater independence and participation in their community.
Preparing for Adulthood – NDTi
A national programme supporting young people with SEND into adulthood. Offers transition planning tools, system guides, training, coproduction frameworks, and resources for independence, employment, and community inclusion.
Key areas: transition planning, independence, employment readiness, system navigation.
Link: Search | NDTi
Local Government Association – Preparing for Adulthood (Learning Disability & Autism)
Comprehensive guidance for supporting autistic and learning‑disabled young people as they become adults. Covers rights at 16+, changes in legislation, independence, relationships, and moving into work or education.
Key areas: legal rights from 16+, independence, education/work transitions.
Link: local.gov.uk
Council for Disabled Children – Preparing for Adulthood Resource Hub
Offers guides, toolkits, case studies and EHCP‑related materials aimed at helping young people gain employment, live independently, access health services and engage in their communities.
Key areas: EHCP transition, job readiness, independent living support.
Link: https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/resources-0/preparing-adulthood
We have a huge amount of resources for young people with any type of additional needs which is accessible and was co-produced with young people themselves.
How Autism Hampshire Supports Young People Preparing for Adulthood
Autism Hampshire offers a range of services designed to build skills, confidence, and independence for autistic and otherwise neurodivergent young people. Their support includes information and guidance, community connections, practical skills development, and access to specialist services.
Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG)
Autism Hampshire’s IAG team provides free support before, during and after diagnosis for young people, their families, and professionals. This includes:
- One‑to‑one advice (phone, email, or face‑to‑face)
- Help navigating education, health, and care pathways
- Support with understanding autism and accessing the right services
This service helps young people prepare for adulthood by ensuring they receive appropriate guidance on transitions, independence, and available support networks.
Serendipity Community Groups
These peer‑led groups help autistic young people and adults:
- Build social confidence
- Develop communication skills
- Reduce isolation
- Gain independence through supported social interactions
Community belonging is an important foundation for adulthood readiness.
Supported Living (for older teens/young adults)
Supported living services help young people develop the essential skills needed for adulthood, including:
- Daily living routines
- Budgeting
- Community access
- Increasing independence with personalised support
Training & Consultancy
Autism Hampshire delivers training for:
- Schools
- Colleges
- Workplaces
- Families
This improves understanding of neurodiversity and helps smooth the transition from childhood settings into adult learning or employment environments.
Accessing Health Services
They support young people in navigating health systems and advocating for their needs—an important step in becoming more independent and confident in adulthood.
Autism Alert Programme
The Autism Alert card helps young people interact more safely and confidently with emergency services or in unfamiliar situations—an important part of independent adult life.
Neurodiversity Connections Hub (Southampton)
Young people up to age 26 can access:
- Joined‑up advice from multiple organisations
- Counselling (via No Limits)
- Social communication groups
- Support for self‑esteem, emotional regulation, and relationship skills
These are all key skills for adulthood and independent living.
Together, these services help young people build the communication, social, emotional, and practical life skills needed for adult life.
Preparing for adulthood is an important journey for every young person, and for neurodivergent young people and their families, the transition can bring both exciting opportunities and new challenges.
Here you’ll find guidance, practical tools, and local services designed to support neurodivergent young people as they move towards greater independence and participation in their community.
Preparing for Adulthood – NDTi
A national programme supporting young people with SEND into adulthood. Offers transition planning tools, system guides, training, coproduction frameworks, and resources for independence, employment, and community inclusion.
Key areas: transition planning, independence, employment readiness, system navigation.
Link: Search | NDTi
Local Government Association – Preparing for Adulthood (Learning Disability & Autism)
Comprehensive guidance for supporting autistic and learning‑disabled young people as they become adults. Covers rights at 16+, changes in legislation, independence, relationships, and moving into work or education.
Key areas: legal rights from 16+, independence, education/work transitions.
Link: local.gov.uk
Council for Disabled Children – Preparing for Adulthood Resource Hub
Offers guides, toolkits, case studies and EHCP‑related materials aimed at helping young people gain employment, live independently, access health services and engage in their communities.
Key areas: EHCP transition, job readiness, independent living support.
Link: https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/resources-0/preparing-adulthood
We have a huge amount of resources for young people with any type of additional needs which is accessible and was co-produced with young people themselves.
How Autism Hampshire Supports Young People Preparing for Adulthood
Autism Hampshire offers a range of services designed to build skills, confidence, and independence for autistic and otherwise neurodivergent young people. Their support includes information and guidance, community connections, practical skills development, and access to specialist services.
Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG)
Autism Hampshire’s IAG team provides free support before, during and after diagnosis for young people, their families, and professionals. This includes:
- One‑to‑one advice (phone, email, or face‑to‑face)
- Help navigating education, health, and care pathways
- Support with understanding autism and accessing the right services
This service helps young people prepare for adulthood by ensuring they receive appropriate guidance on transitions, independence, and available support networks.
Serendipity Community Groups
These peer‑led groups help autistic young people and adults:
- Build social confidence
- Develop communication skills
- Reduce isolation
- Gain independence through supported social interactions
Community belonging is an important foundation for adulthood readiness.
Supported Living (for older teens/young adults)
Supported living services help young people develop the essential skills needed for adulthood, including:
- Daily living routines
- Budgeting
- Community access
- Increasing independence with personalised support
Training & Consultancy
Autism Hampshire delivers training for:
- Schools
- Colleges
- Workplaces
- Families
This improves understanding of neurodiversity and helps smooth the transition from childhood settings into adult learning or employment environments.
Accessing Health Services
They support young people in navigating health systems and advocating for their needs—an important step in becoming more independent and confident in adulthood.
Autism Alert Programme
The Autism Alert card helps young people interact more safely and confidently with emergency services or in unfamiliar situations—an important part of independent adult life.
Neurodiversity Connections Hub (Southampton)
Young people up to age 26 can access:
- Joined‑up advice from multiple organisations
- Counselling (via No Limits)
- Social communication groups
- Support for self‑esteem, emotional regulation, and relationship skills
These are all key skills for adulthood and independent living.
Together, these services help young people build the communication, social, emotional, and practical life skills needed for adult life.