Advice Line
About Scottish Autism’s Advice Line
Scottish Autism’s Advice Line provides advice, support, guidance and signposting to autistic people, their families, loved ones, friends and professionals.
The Advice Line is available to anyone at any stage of their journey, whether this be individuals questioning their neurodivergence, self-identifying, awaiting an assessment or those who have a formal diagnosis.
Our approach places individuals at the centre of the work we do. Each enquiry we treat with confidentiality, and with every enquiry we receive, we a take a person centred approach, providing support and advice tailored to meet your needs. Previous users of our Advice Line have benefited from discussions on a range of topics including autism understanding, exploring identity, stress and anxiety, as well as strategies to support individuals within education and employment settings. More broadly, the Advice Line provides emotional support and a listening service to anyone who requires it.
We collaborate with partner organisations across Scotland so if we can’t help, we will try to signpost you to someone who can.
Meet the Advisors
Caitlin, Senior Community Advisor
Caitlin has experience working with children, young people and adults with differing support needs.
Caitlin is neurodivergent and brings direct lived experience to her knowledge and understanding. As well as her lived experience, Caitlin also has a wealth of knowledge and experience centred around inclusion and disability equality.
She is passionate about accessibility and working towards societal change to better the general populations understanding of autism and to better the lives of autistic people and those around them.
Caroline, Community Advisor
Caroline has worked at Scottish Autism in the Advice Line team for some time supporting all who make contact including families, autistic people and professionals.
“Scottish Autism Advice Line is wonderful as it offers the opportunity to have contact with or speak directly to experienced Advice Line staff.”
Gina, Community Advisor
Joining Scottish Autism in January 2026, Gina has previously worked in education, local government and the third sector specifically supporting Additional Support Needs and children and families.
She loves researching and ‘being a detective’ making connections. She has an interest in mental health and counselling.
“I was thrilled to start working with Scottish Autism with the Community Advice Team. I am passionate about getting the right support at the right time for any individual. Using my personal and professional insights I hope will support anyone who contacts Scottish Autism.”
Maureen, Community Advisor
Maureen has been a Community Advisor with Scottish Autism for 11 years. As the mother of an autistic adult, she understands the different challenges families face from childhood through to adulthood. She is committed to working alongside others to promote understanding and provide meaningful support for autistic individuals and their families
Susan, Community Advisor
Susan started with Scottish Autism in May 2026, prior to this she worked in the third and public sector supporting individuals. Susan is a mum to an autistic child, she has understanding of the challenges families can face and has experience in the autism diagnosis process. Susan is committed to developing herself and continually learning to ensure she provides the best possible service to every individual she has contact with.
Clare, Community Advisor
Clare began working with Scottish Autism in May 2026, and prior to this she worked for ten years as a primary school teacher. Clare is passionate about equity and social justice, and has a wealth of experience in supporting families in accessing the services and support that they need.
Nicola, Community Advisor
Nicola started with Scottish Autism in August 2026. She has previously worked in the mental health and education sectors, with a focus on supporting young people with additional support needs for most of that time. Nicola brings a passion for learning about mental health and neurodivergence, as well as helping others who may feel marginalised and misunderstood. She is excited to work with Scottish Autism and contribute to better understanding of, and support for, autistic people in our society.
Want some advice?
Get in touch with our team
“From my first tentative but desperate call, through emails and further calls, the service has been faultless. The advisor was approachable, knowledgeable, kind and compassionate. She provided a wealth of resources that has positively impacted the health and well-being of my daughter and our family. I have felt understood, accepted and listened to throughout. Good humour was used which alleviated the stress I was feeling too. ”
Data Protection: Scottish Autism complies with the General Data Protection Legislation and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulation (2003). Your personal data is held securely and will only be accessed by those authorised to do so and used for the purposes for which you have provided us the information. For full details, please view our privacy policy. At any time you can request to be removed from our database by contacting us on 01259 720044 or emailing autism@scottishautism.org.
What to expect from our services
Information on using our services, our standards framework and your individual rights.