Autism and your health
Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition and autistic people vary greatly in their support needs. Advice is available on how to access everyday health services and specialist services if you need extra support.
Health and Social Care
In Northern Ireland, the National Health Service (NHS) is referred to as Health and Social Care (HSC).
It provides social care services such as:
- home care services
- family and children’s services
- day care services
- social work services
Further information on health services, including how to access GP services, dentists and your rights in health is available at:
If you have a disability or need extra support, further healthcare advice is available at:
Depending on the level of care you need, there may be specialist health professionals involved in your care.
More information is available at:
Northern Ireland's Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts offer autism spectrum disorder (ASD) services.
Find out more at:
- Belfast HSCT – child and adolescent autism service
- Belfast HSCT – adult autism assessment and diagnostic service
- Northern HSCT – autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) services
- South Eastern HSCT – neurodevelopmental service
- Southern HSCT – autism services
- Western HSCT – autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – adult’s service
- Western HSCT – children and young people’s autism service
Keeping healthy
It’s important to look after your physical and mental health.
Eating healthily and keeping physically active improves your health and quality of life. For tips and advice on improving your health, see:
Mental health
Autistic people can have good and bad mental health like anyone else. However, they are more vulnerable to mental health issues, particularly in adolescence and early adulthood. This could be due to increased self-awareness, communication or social difficulties and generally feeling isolated.
Further information on mental health and support services is available at:
- Mental health
- Mental health and autism
- Anxiety and mental health resources
- Mental health - National Autistic Society
Sleep
Sleep is vital to your health, wellbeing, learning and development.
Often autistic children may experience challenges with their sleep which can impact their overall well-being.
These can include issues such as:
- finding it hard to settle to sleep
- night-time wakening
- sleeping for a shorter time than others within the home
For strategies to help improve sleep, see: