Who are we?

We specialise in autism

We recognise the specific characteristics of autism that distinguish it from other types of neurodivergence and wider disability, and which lead to specific barriers and specific opportunities for change in policy and society. Equally, we are able to recognise the specific opportunities and challenges that are common to not-for-profit organisations that specialise in autism, and which are distinct from organisations that focus more widely on disability or social inclusion.

We convene and build common ground

We are a body with a single, clear agenda - improving the lives of autistic people and their families - and without strong ties to one way of approaching practice. This means we can build bridges between organisations with different views. The Director of the Alliance is also acting in key Chair and Board roles across other parts of the sector: for example, the Autism Central programme which is delivered as a partnership of ten of the major charities active in autism, and the Autism Education Trust, which works extensively with other charities and the autistic community – and we will continue to foster collaboration, alignment of mission, and collective strength.

We strengthen the sector through sharing experience and resources

Autism not-for-profit organisations face common challenges, and the sector is an engine of innovation in responding to these challenges. Reflecting this, the Alliance can create opportunity for organisations to become stronger by enabling the sharing of knowledge and the strengthening of bonds across the sector, particularly between CEOs.

We can bridge from the not-for-profit sector to the autistic community

Again, reflecting our focus on better lives for autistic people and their families, the Alliance can identify common ground between not-for-profit organisations and the autistic community, who do not always share the same beliefs; and over time bring together a stronger core of support for joint advocacy and collaboration.

We can be a central platform for public sector contracts about autism

A huge amount of time and resource is spent across the sector applying for small grants in an extremely tight market. We can use the fundraising and business development experience within the Alliance to lead strong national bids for public funding, reflecting our focus on autism and bringing what public money there is into the sector.

A skilled and experienced team

Key to the Autism Alliance’s impact, and an important part of its USP, are the skills and experience of its staff. The small team has worked across different types of organisations in a multitude of contexts (the public and private sector; at different levels of government; both small and large not-for-profit organisations; start-ups, established bodies, and organisations transitioning through periods of change), meaning it is well placed to avoid common mistakes. An emphasis on agile working, clear communication and a shared understanding of the Alliance’s values and goals has resulted in a positive culture and highly effective working practices.

We span the UK

Across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, the challenges in policy and society for autistic people and their families are similar, and frequently identical, but influencing is led by different organisations across the four nations which can make it harder to build the weight required to advocate successfully for change. Working with these organisations, some of whom are already members, the Alliance can create this weight at a UK level.