What do we want?
Our vision
We believe in a world in which autistic people can thrive and live their lives as part of their communities.
Our mission
To work together to improve services, policy and practice by sharing our knowledge, skills and experience.
We want Real Change for autistic people and their families
Real Change is our manifesto for a new approach in the UK.
It was our first campaign and brings together the big ideas about what is really needed to make real change for autistic people and their families.
It recognises that Real Change will only be achieved by addressing the system-level barriers holding back progress. This includes stronger accountability, better funding models, and culture change.
What do autistic people and their families say they want?
The voices of autistic people and their families are the most important guide to reform, and should be central to the design of a system that delivers Real Change.
Consistently, autistic people of all ages say:
They want their voices to be heard and their needs reflected in the design and implementation of policy.
They want to be able to show their authentic selves.
They want early support that promotes their wellbeing and the wellbeing of their families.
They want the choice of timely autism assessment, and consistent provision of pre- and post-diagnostic support for themselves and their families.
They want to see adjustments that reflect their needs, across the delivery of all public services, in employment, and across society.
They need timely, appropriate support in the community that meets their needs, and prevents the escalation of needs towards crisis.
They want to go to school, to achieve and to thrive in employment where this is possible, and need appropriate support and adjustments to help them pursue these goals.
They want to live independently wherever possible, as part of their own communities and close to their friends and families.
Families of autistic children, young people and adults want these things too – and want to stop battling with a system that seems stacked against them, and all too frequently reduces them to exhaustion.
Source: as part of our Real Change campaign, a range of charities and public organisations gathered insight from autistic people and their families on the operation of the system.
A programme to deliver Real Change could include:
Early support for families and specialist care and support in communities.
Timely access to autism assessment.
Education meeting autistic children and young people’s needs.
Autism acceptance and understanding across society.
Healthcare led by autistic people’s needs.
Fully supported transition into adulthood.
More detail about our Real Change campaign can be found below.
Our Campaigns
Real Change
For autistic people and their families
Breaking Point
Closing the gap in care for autistic adults
Doing the right Thing
A plan for the next government