Maple House, a unique in-patient facility for learning-disabled adults with autism, has recently been developed in Exeter. The design of this facility has been based on the principles of Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH), a well researched and validated educational programme developed for autistic children in North Carolina, USA. The design tenet of Maple House was that the environment should reflect these principles, facilitating communication and, therefore, allowing the comprehensive assessment of autistic individuals. Overall, the service provision for this group in the UK is deficient. Maple House may be a model for future NHS facilities for people with autism.