How do we achieve change?
It’s time for a different approach
Despite good intentions, outcomes haven’t improved for autistic people and their families over the last 20 years.
We need to do things differently.
To achieve Real Change we need:
Autism-specific policy
Reflecting specific knowledge and understanding of autism.
Not relying on generalised approaches which have not worked.
Co-produced with autistic people and their families.
To address deep barriers
Strengthening accountability.
Building a culture of acceptance and understanding.
Removing barriers in the funding system.
Building public services that recognise and meet needs.
A strong sector
Providing specialist support and services.
Driving more evidence of a higher standard to inform commissioning.
Working in collaboration with autistic people and their families, the Government and all stakeholders.
We work together to advocate for Real Change
Across policy and public affairs, the Autism Alliance works to influence decision-makers and build consensus.
We draw on the passion, expertise and experience of our members to inform our work. We commission and produce new evidence and reports. We provide advice directly to Government officials and Ministers. We share information with our supporters and with people and organisations who can influence others.
We work with our members to support a stronger sector.
We share our experiences and knowledge, and work together to produce resources and evidence that highlight good practice.
We strive to reflect autistic people’s voices in our work.
Our work is informed by direct and indirect lived experience of autism across our member organisations and the Autism Alliance UK team, and as not-for-profit organisations our members work hard to ensure that the voices of autistic children, young people and adults, and their families are heard and reflected in everything they do. Autistic people’s experiences are hugely diverse, and we are committed to reflecting all types of autistic experience, strengths and needs in our work.
Our Work
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The Economic Case
Commissioned from the London School of Economics
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Real Change
For autistic people and their families
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Doing the Right Thing
A plan for the government
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Breaking Point
Closing the gap in care for autistic adults
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.
We are unafraid to speak the truth to those in power. 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.
We believe that big changes are not only possible, but essential.
A world that supports individuals to thrive benefits everyone, because greater wellbeing creates a more productive and happy society.
As well as addressing unacceptable social inequality, supporting autistic people to thrive will influence wider system change and drive considerable economic benefits.
To support autistic people to thrive, we need policy and services which recognise and reflect autistic people’s varied experiences, strengths and needs; and even more high-standard evidence of services and supports which are acceptable and effective for autistic people.
We now understand that all human brains work in different ways, and greater awareness of neurodiversity means we need to think differently about how we design and deliver policy and public services.
The opportunity
To bring about the Real Change needed for autistic people and their families you need:
autism-specific policy
to address deep barriers
and a strong autism specialist sector.
That time is now
Find out how you can be part of the change.