The National Autistic Society Scotland’s Highland Information Service will sadly be closing in April. 

The service has been supporting autistic children and young people, and their families across Highland for over 12 years. During that time, it has helped over 950 families, giving them invaluable advice, guidance and signposting information. 

It also leaves an important legacy including a dedicated website for the Pines Neurodevelopmental Service, a multi-disciplinary team supporting autistic children, young people and their families, and a library of over 1,000 books and sensory items which is available through the Pines.

We are disappointed that we are not able to continue to deliver our Highland Information Service. It has been operating with the same level of funding for 12 years, despite increasing demand and higher costs, and is no longer economically viable. We engaged with the funder, Highland Council, to keep the service going, but ultimately no agreement was reached.

We are hopeful that funding may be available in the future to support families, and we will continue to engage with the Council and other partners. We would like to thank Highland Council for the funding of the service over the 12 years it has been hugely appreciated.

We would encourage autistic people and families in the Highland area who are looking for support to contact the Pines Neurodevelopmental Service, Thriving Families and the Just Ask enquiry line. 

The National Autistic Society Scotland will continue to have a footprint in Highland through its volunteer-led Highland Branch, which you can follow on social media. Our website also has lots of advice and guidance.

Finally, thank you to everyone involved in the running and delivery of the Highland Information Service and in particular our staff and volunteers.