Starting secondary school with autism: a guide for parents (2026)
The transition from primary to secondary school is one of the most significant challenges many autistic children face. A new building, multiple teachers, a complex
Getting a diagnosis — whether from the NHS or a private provider — is a significant moment. For some families it brings relief and clarity. For others it raises as many questions as it answers. Whatever you are feeling, the practical next steps are the same.
This guide walks you through everything that should happen after your child receives an autism diagnosis: who to tell, what to apply for, what you are entitled to, and how to access the right support. It covers schools, DLA, EHCPs, CAMHS, and community. Consider it your post-diagnosis action plan.
Before anything else: you do not need to do everything at once. The steps in this guide are important, but none of them need to happen within 24 hours of receiving a diagnosis. Give yourself and your family time to process the news first.
Many parents describe the period after a diagnosis as a mix of emotions — relief at finally having answers, grief for the journey ahead, and sometimes guilt about not having pursued it sooner. All of these feelings are normal and valid. The diagnosis has not changed your child. It has given you a clearer picture of who they are and what they need.
Your written diagnostic report is your most important document. Read it carefully. If anything is unclear, contact the assessing clinician and ask them to explain it. A good assessor will welcome this.
Your report should include:
Make multiple copies of the report and keep the originals somewhere safe. You will be sharing this document with schools, local authorities, the DWP, and healthcare providers — sometimes repeatedly over many years.
Share a copy of the diagnostic report with your child’s SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) as soon as possible. Request a meeting to discuss what the report means for your child’s support at school.
Under the Equality Act 2010, schools must make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils — and autism is a disability under the Act. This means the school cannot simply do nothing once they are aware of a diagnosis.
Reasonable adjustments might include:
If your child needs more support than the school can provide from its existing resources, you should request an EHCP needs assessment. See Step 5 below for how to do this.
DLA is a tax-free benefit paid by the DWP for children under 16 with a disability. It is not means-tested — it does not matter how much you earn. It is based entirely on how your child’s condition affects their daily life.
| DLA component | Rate | Weekly amount (2026) |
| Care | Lowest | £28.70 |
| Care | Middle | £72.65 |
| Care | Highest | £108.55 |
| Mobility | Lower | £28.70 |
| Mobility | Higher | £75.75 |
To apply, call 0800 121 4600 to request the DLA1 Child form. The date you call is treated as your application date, so call as soon as you are ready — even if you are not ready to fill in the form yet.
Include a copy of the diagnostic report with your application. Describe your child’s needs on their worst days, not their best. Be specific about time — how long each task takes, how much support is needed, and how often.
Receiving DLA for your child at middle or highest rate care also entitles you to apply for Carer’s Allowance — currently £81.90 per week in 2026. This is worth claiming if you spend 35+ hours per week caring for your child.
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legally binding document that sets out your child’s needs and the specific support they must receive in education. Unlike general school support, the provisions in an EHCP are enforceable by law.
Not every autistic child needs an EHCP — some children’s needs can be met through the school’s existing SEN support. An EHCP is most likely to be needed if:
You can request an EHCP needs assessment yourself — you do not need to go through the school. Write to your local authority’s SEND team stating that you are requesting an education, health and care needs assessment for your child under the Children and Families Act 2014. Include the diagnostic report and any school reports as supporting evidence.
The local authority must respond within six weeks. They can agree to assess or refuse — but if they refuse, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
Important: put your EHCP request in writing, keep a copy, and note the date sent. The six-week clock starts from when the local authority receives your letter, not from when you decide to send it.
Inform your GP of the diagnosis and ask them to add it to your child’s medical record. Your GP can then:
If your child has co-occurring conditions that may need further assessment — ADHD, anxiety, sensory processing difficulties — ask your GP for the relevant referrals now. The autism diagnosis will support these referrals.
The support available after a diagnosis varies significantly depending on where you live. Here are the key places to look:
Every area of England has a Parent Carer Forum — an independent group of parents of children with SEND. These groups are invaluable. They know the local SEND landscape, can advise on the EHCP process in your specific area, and connect you with other families. Find yours at nnpcf.org.uk.
The NAS (autism.org.uk) runs a helpline, online community, and local branches across the UK. Their Autism Services Directory lists local support groups, activities, and services by postcode.
Ambitious About Autism (ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk) provides support, resources, and advocacy for autistic young people and their families, with a particular focus on education.
Every local authority in England publishes a SEND Local Offer — a directory of all services available locally for children with SEND. Search for your council’s name plus ‘SEND Local Offer’ to find it.
Transitions are particularly challenging for autistic children. The earlier you plan for them, the better the outcomes tend to be. Key transitions to think about after diagnosis:
If your child is approaching a school move — primary to secondary, or into a new setting — the diagnosis opens doors. Request a transition review meeting with the current school, the receiving school, and the local authority SEND team. An EHCP significantly strengthens your hand in school placement decisions.
If your child is a teenager, start thinking now about the transition to adulthood. At 16, DLA converts to PIP. At 16–25, EHCP provision continues but the focus shifts toward employment, further education, and independent living. The local authority must carry out an Education, Health and Care review when your child reaches Year 9.
Post-diagnosis support from the NHS varies enormously by area. In some parts of the UK, families receive a post-diagnosis support package including:
In other areas, families receive little or nothing beyond the written report. If you feel you need more support than you have been offered, ask your GP for a CAMHS referral and contact your local parent carer forum for guidance on what should be available locally.
How long does an EHCP take once I have applied?
The process from request to final EHCP should take no longer than 20 weeks. In practice, many local authorities exceed this — but the 20-week deadline is statutory and enforceable. IPSEA (ipsea.org.uk) can help if your local authority is not meeting its deadlines.
My child masks at school — will the school take the diagnosis seriously?
This is a common challenge. Masking means your child suppresses their autistic traits in school, leading teachers to feel the diagnosis does not reflect what they observe. Share the section of the diagnostic report that addresses masking with the SENCO. It can help to describe what happens at home after school — the post-mask crash — in writing.
What if I disagree with the diagnosis?
You can seek a second opinion from another qualified clinician. If the diagnosis was from a private provider and you have concerns about the quality of the assessment, you can raise this with the relevant professional body (HCPC or GMC).
Can my child self-identify as autistic without a formal diagnosis?
Many people self-identify as autistic without a formal diagnosis, and this is valid in personal and social contexts. However, a formal diagnosis is required to access most statutory support including EHCP, DLA/PIP, and workplace reasonable adjustments.
What support is there for me as a parent?
Caring for an autistic child can be exhausting, and parent wellbeing matters. Ask your GP about local carer support, contact the Carer’s Trust (carers.org) for information on carer support services, and consider joining a local or online parent support group. You matter too.
Written by AI Mum editorial team
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