Welcome
The National Autistic Society Online Community is a safe space where autistic people and their families can connect, share experiences, and support each other. By joining, you agree to follow these rules and terms of use.
Comments made on the Online Community are those of individual users whose views may not be shared by the National Autistic Society. The content found in links to external websites, the views expressed by users or the products/services they recommend are also not endorsed by our charity.
By using this community, you agree that:
Illegal content is banned and will be removed immediately. This includes:
If you believe content was wrongly removed or harmful content remains, you can submit a complaint or appeal.
Rule 1: Community users must be over 18
Only people aged 18 or over can join the Online Community. When registering, you will need to confirm you are 18 or older, as some discussion threads may include adult themes.
Rule 2: No personal information or identifiable content
Do not share personal or identifying details about yourself or anyone else. This includes full names, addresses, contact details, social media profiles, or identifiable photos. Links to social media posts or videos are allowed if relevant and in compliance with these rules.
Rule 3: No illegal content
Do not post or link to anything illegal or that promotes illegal activity.
Rule 4: No harmful or offensive content
Do not post or link to anything graphic, obscene, defamatory, impersonating someone else, or infringing copyright.
Rule 5: Do not discriminate
Do not post or link to anything offensive regarding protected characteristics under UK equality law (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation).
Rule 6: No medical or legal advice
Do not offer medical or legal advice. Always seek professional help for these matters.
Rule 7: Be respectful in discussions
Disagreements are fine, but personal attacks, insults, and swearing are not. Respect other viewpoints and avoid escalating arguments.
Rule 8: Do not use the National Autistic Society logo or ‘Mod’ title
Only official moderators can use these identifiers.
Rule 9: No multiple accounts
Each user may only have one account.
Rule 10: No duplicate posts
Do not post the same message in multiple threads.
Rule 11: No spam
Spam includes advertisements, repetitive posts, harmful links, scams, or automated messages.
Rule 12: No sales or advertisements
Do not join the forum to sell products, services or to promote personal brands, social media accounts or similar platforms. Recommendations are allowed if you disclose any affiliation.
Rule 13: No fundraisers
Do not post fundraisers or crowdfunding links.
Rule 14: No research requests
Research requests should be directed to research@nas.org.uk.
Rule 15: No media requests
Media requests should be directed to press@nas.org.uk.
Rule 1: Underage users
The moderation team monitors content for signs that users may be under 18. If we identify an underage user, their account will be removed.
Rule 2: Identifiable content
Any content that includes personal or identifying details will be removed by the moderation team. If a user knowingly or maliciously shares identifiable content, their account will be banned immediately without warning.
Rule 3: Illegal content
Illegal content will be removed as soon as possible and serious violations will result in an immediate ban without notice.
Rule 4: Harmful or offensive content
Content that is considered harmful or offensive will be removed or edited by the moderation team. Two minor breaches will result in a ban. Serious violations will lead to an immediate ban without notice.
Rule 5: Discrimination
Content viewed to be in breach of this rule will be removed or edited. Users breaching this rule may have their account placed under pre-moderation. Repeat offenders will be banned.
Rule 6: Medical or legal advice
Posts offering medical or legal information will be removed if they attempt to direct another user's actions, influence a user's medical or legal decisions or are not clearly from personal experience. Users breaching this rule may have their account placed under pre-moderation. Repeat offenders will be banned.
Rule 7: Disrespectful behaviour
Moderators may lock threads if needed. Content in breach of this rule will be removed. Users breaching this rule may have their account placed under pre-moderation. Repeat offenders will be banned.
Rule 8: Logo or ‘Mod’ misuse
We will ask you to change your profile or we will reset it if this rule is breached.
Rule 9: Multiple accounts
Additional accounts registered to the same person will be removed.
Rule 10: Duplicate posts
Duplicate posts will be removed. Users breaching this rule may have their account placed under pre-moderation.
Rule 11: Spam
Posting spam will lead to an instant ban without notice.
Rule 12: Sales or advertising
Accounts that focus on selling products or services will have their posts edited and may be placed under pre-moderation.
Rule 13: Fundraisers
Posts that include fundraisers or links to crowdfunding platforms will be removed. Users breaching this rule may have their account placed under pre-moderation.
Rule 14: Research requests
Research requests will be removed. Users who repeatedly breach this rule may have their account placed under pre-moderation.
Rule 15: Media requests
Media requests posted in the community will be removed. Users who repeatedly breach this rule may have their account placed under pre-moderation.