We have just had an autism diagnosis
You do not need to do everything in the first week. These explain what happens next, in plain language, and some have people you can talk to.
Autism: What Next?
A free online toolkit for the first year or so after a diagnosis. It was co-designed with autistic adults, parents and clinicians, and it lets you build a pathway that fits your situation. Run by Autism Association of Australia.
Amaze: assessment and diagnosis
How an autism assessment works for babies, children and teenagers, what the report is used for, and advice for parents after a diagnosis, including how to share it with others.
Autism Connect helpline (Amaze)
A free national helpline for autistic people, families and carers, by phone, email or webchat. Good when you are not sure what to ask.
Autism Association of Australia
A national autism body with guides organised by age: early years, school years and adulthood, plus how diagnosis works. Formerly called Autism Awareness Australia.
Understanding ADHD
Autism and ADHD often occur together, so if your child has both, the autism and ADHD guides on this page are worth reading side by side.
Raising Children Network: ADHD
Parent-friendly guides covering what ADHD is, family life, learning and school, social and emotional wellbeing, and therapies and services. Supported by the Australian Government, with the Royal Children's Hospital and Murdoch Children's Research Institute among its member organisations. It has a matching autism section too.
ADHD Australia: support groups
A national charity. Its support groups page lists national and state organisations and parent groups, including online options. It says it is updating the list, so check back if something is missing.
NDIS and funding
The rules here are the most likely to change. We deliberately do not summarise them. Use the official source and one of the guides below.
Amaze: NDIS guides
Step-by-step pages on applying, setting goals, the planning meeting, using your plan, managing it and changing it.
NDIS
The official source for eligibility and current rules.
Disability Gateway
A free government service that helps people with disability, families and carers find information, services and support across all areas of life.
School
Each state and school system runs its own process, so start with a conversation at your child's school.
Amaze: School can't resources
Resources for parents, carers and teachers when a child is finding it very hard to attend school.
Autism Association of Australia: school years
Information for children and families from 5 to 18, including supporting autistic students and the role parents and carers can play at school.
Raising Children Network: ADHD, learning and school
Practical guidance on helping a child with ADHD learn and settle at school.
Sleep, routines and everyday life
The unglamorous things that decide whether a day goes well.
Amaze: autism and sleep
Resources for parents, carers and healthcare professionals on sleep for autistic children.
Amaze: executive functioning resources
Resources on the skills behind planning, starting tasks, switching between them and remembering what comes next.
Looking after yourselves
Parents and brothers and sisters carry a lot too. Both of these are free to use.
Carer Gateway
Free Australian Government services for carers, including counselling, coaching and peer support, and planned or emergency respite. Call to find out whether you are eligible.
Siblings Australia
A national organisation supporting brothers and sisters of children with disability. It has guides for parents on why siblings need support and ways to give it, and programs for the siblings themselves, such as a peer group program for ages 8 to 12 run through trained facilitators.
Autistic girls and gender diverse young people
Autism is often missed or misread in girls, who may hide their difficulties. This organisation is led by autistic people.
Yellow Ladybugs
An autistic-led charity for autistic girls, women and gender diverse people. It offers a downloadable guide, Spotlight on Girls with Autism, made with the Victorian Department of Education. It also runs informal social events for girls aged 5 to 16 (in person in Melbourne, and online across Australia) and a podcast.
Finding a therapist
An occupational therapist is often the first person to help with sensory needs, daily routines and visual supports.
Occupational Therapy Australia: Find an OT
The profession's national body runs a public directory for finding an occupational therapist.
Looking further ahead
Not for today. For the day you want to see what working life can look like.
Auticon
A technology consultancy that employs autistic adults as consultants. Included as one picture of what a career can look like later on.
Disclosure: Simon, who built RoutineNest, serves on Auticon's board. It is included because it is relevant, not because it is neutral.
RoutineNest has no commercial relationship with the organisations listed, apart from the disclosure above, and does not receive anything for linking to them. This page is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. Talk to your child's doctor or therapist about your child's needs. Last checked 6 October 2026.