Conditions we help with
Autism support for children and young people
Neurodiversity-affirming emotional and functional support for autistic young people aged 7 to 25, within three weeks.
Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition affecting the way a person processes the world. Around 1 in 100 people in the UK are autistic (National Autistic Society). Many autistic young people are sharp, creative and highly capable. They are also significantly more likely than non-autistic peers to experience anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation and burnout (NICE CG170, 2013; Lai et al., 2019, Lancet Psychiatry).
Blip does not provide autism diagnostic assessments. We work with autistic young people, or those awaiting a diagnosis, whose emotional wellbeing, sensory experience or daily functioning is under significant strain. Our role is to support the mental health and functional needs that sit alongside autism, not the diagnostic process itself.
What neurodiversity-affirming care means at blip
We do not treat autism as a problem to be fixed. Many of the difficulties autistic young people face come partly from navigating environments and expectations not built with them in mind. Our job is to reduce what is causing distress and help the young person build a life that works for them. We use identity-first language (autistic person) as our default, and follow the individual's preference.
What brings families and young people to blip
Anxiety is the most common reason. Many autistic young people develop significant anxiety around school, social situations, transitions or unpredictability. This can present as school refusal, meltdowns or shutdowns, or as persistent low mood that does not respond to the reassurance a parent can offer.
Late-diagnosed young people, particularly girls and young women, often spend years masking: mirroring others, hiding autistic traits, paying a real price for it. When a diagnosis finally comes, anxiety and depression are usually already there.
Young adults aged 18 to 25 face a particular transition gap. The scaffolding of school, including predictable routine, familiar adults and a structured day, falls away at exactly the point when adult mental health services offer very little.
What NICE guidance says
NICE CG170 (Autism spectrum disorder in under 19s, 2013) and the related guidance recommend psychosocial interventions for co-occurring mental health difficulties in autistic children and young people. Occupational therapy is recommended for sensory and functional difficulties. Where anxiety or low mood is present alongside autism, NICE supports adapted CBT, acknowledging that standard protocols may need adjustment to account for autistic communication and processing styles.
Occupational therapy at blip
OT is a central part of our offer for autistic young people. Our occupational therapist works on the practical, sensory and functional aspects of daily life that are often the source of the most immediate distress.
Routines and daily structure
Building predictable, workable routines that reduce daily stress. Our occupational therapist works with the young person and family to identify what gets in the way of mornings, mealtimes, transitions and bedtimes, and to design practical adjustments.
Sensory regulation
Many autistic young people experience sensory input differently: sounds, textures, light or crowded spaces can be overwhelming in ways that others do not notice. OT assessment identifies sensory sensitivities and builds a personal sensory toolkit and environmental adjustments.
Functional skills and participation
Support for the practical demands of school, college or early employment: concentration, task initiation, transitions between activities, and managing change. Goals are set by the young person, not imposed.
Therapy and clinical support
- Individual CBT adapted for autistic young people, including work on anxiety, low mood and emotional dysregulation
- Integrative therapy and counselling for identity, self-esteem and the experience of being autistic in a world not designed for it
- Family therapy and systemic intervention, supporting parents and siblings as well as the young person
- Youth support work, including school and home engagement, for young people who find formal sessions difficult to engage with
- Psychiatric input where there are co-occurring mental health diagnoses requiring formulation or medication review
Pathway timescales
- 1Triage. Within 5 working days of referral
- 2Initial assessment. Within 3 weeks
- 3Care plan agreed. Within 1 week of assessment
- 4Intervention begins. Within 2 weeks of care plan
This is not a crisis service
Blip is not an emergency service. If your child or young person is in immediate distress, please use one of these:
- NHS 111 option 2Mental health crisis line, any time
- Samaritans116 123, free, 24 hours
- Papyrus HOPELINE2470800 068 4141
- ShoutText SHOUT to 85258, free, 24 hours
- Emergency999
Blip Healthcare Ltd is in CQC registration for Treatment of disease, disorder or injury. The service is led by Vivien Beni, RMN, Registered Mental Health Nurse and Registered Manager. All clinicians hold current registration with their professional body. Our registered manager's specialist areas include neurodivergence.
Get in touch
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