How do we achieve change?
It’s time for a different approach
Despite good intentions, outcomes haven’t got better for autistic people and their families over the last 20 years.
We need to do things differently.
To achieve change you need:
A strong autism sector
A sector that is listened to by Government.
A sector that listens to and elevates the voices of autistic people and their families.
To work differently
To not just identify problems but provide evidence and solutions.
To be unafraid to speak the truth and bring people with you.
To collaborate, getting the best from everyone involved.
An equal society
Recognising and celebrating difference.
Meeting needs as the basis for equality.
Which is where the Autism Alliance comes in…
Supporting the autism sector to flourish
We know that not-for-profit organisations supporting autistic people are facing a challenging time (whatever their size):
We support our member organisations by providing:
Regular updates and analysis about the latest research, news, legislation and practice relating to autism. Recent speakers at our events have included senior representatives from the Department for Education, NHS England, Rook Irwin Sweeney LLP, Stone King LLP, the British Association of Social Workers, Anthony Collins LLP, and the Care Quality Commission.
Professional groups currently covering practice, HR, policy, communications and campaigning, to share best practice, provide support and work collectively.
Regular meetings just for CEOs, so they can share their concerns and successes, providing much-needed support to one another.
Opportunities for member organisations to raise their profile, bid for autism projects (often jointly), speak to key stakeholders, and contribute to consultations and new research.
Training opportunities for staff and (coming soon) the chance to advertise vacancies in our regular newsletter.
Our unique focus on autism as a membership organisation means that we can meet members’ needs without mirroring the offers of other organisations.
Our developing offer also aims to include all staff within our member organisations, so that they can feel part of the wider autism community and benefit from the opportunities we provide.
Key to everything we do is to ensure that the voices of autistic people and their families inform our work.
Want to know more about our membership offer?
For us, how we work is as important as what we do
We listen. We care. We collaborate.
To build a strong autism sector we have to build strong relationships.
We believe that the best relationships are built on a genuine interest in what others have to say; emotional intelligence and empathy; and the willingness to accept that others may have better ideas than you.
We are ambitious, determined and truthful.
However, we do not apologise for goals that may seem formidable and a relentless focus on the right outcomes.
We believe that kindness, combined with clarity, can turn a challenging conversation into a constructive one.
The team has positioned the Alliance’s policy work around the idea of Real Change for autistic people and their families, and the need for system-level action. We are unafraid to speak the truth about shortcomings and failures in policy and implementation, but work positively and constructively with officials and Ministers to find ways to design and deliver better policy, providing expert advice and proposing solutions.
Most importantly, the Alliance’s policy work is informed by the insight and ideas of its members and autistic people and their families.
A world that works for autistic people will work for everyone
We campaign on issues of national importance for autistic people and their families, developing compelling campaigns that focus on specific areas of policy while building support for change across society.
Fundamental to our campaign model is showing that changes that can improve outcomes for autistic people can improve outcomes for everyone.
Our campaigning approach involves creating new evidence, both commissioned externally and delivered internally, and catalysing support from a wide range of supporters, including national bodies and organisations and the public.
In 2023 we launched our overarching manifesto, Real Change, which called for system-level reform that will unlock Real Change for autistic people and their families across education, health, social care, employment and justice,
This was followed in 2023-24 by Breaking Point, a campaign highlighting the impact of the social care crisis on autistic adults in England, showing the gap in care for autistic adults, and proposing solutions to address the lack of access to care.
In 2024 we launched Doing the Right Thing, a campaign aimed at the next government, providing it with some achievable wins that would also act as a signal of intent - and pave the way to Real Change for autistic people and their families.
We are always happy to talk to people and organisations about possible partnerships and joint projects.
Our Campaigns
Real Change
Our manifesto for a new approach in the UK.
Breaking Point
Closing the gap in care for autistic adults
Doing the right Thing
A plan for the new government
The opportunity
To bring about the Real Change needed for autistic people and their families you need:
a strong sector
using the right strategy and approach
all coming together at the right point in time.
That time is now
Find out how you can be part of the change.