National Autistic Society

National Autistic Society
source
Name	National Autistic Society
Founded	1962
Founder	Gerald Gasson
Type	Charity
Headquarters	London
Region served	United Kingdom
Slogan	Support, Services, and Advocacy

National Autistic Society The National Autistic Society is a United Kingdom charity dedicated to supporting people on the autism spectrum and their families. Founded in the early 1960s, it operates services, campaigns on public policy, and collaborates with research institutions to improve diagnosis, support, and social inclusion. The charity engages with a wide range of partners including health trusts, local authorities, universities, and international disability organisations.

History

Founded in 1962 by Gerald Gasson, the organisation emerged in the context of post-war British social welfare debates involving figures and institutions such as Bevanite movement, National Health Service, Manchester social services, and disability activists linked to Mencap and Scope. Early campaigns intersected with policy developments under cabinets like Harold Wilson and administrations shaped by ministers such as Aneurin Bevan and Enoch Powell on health and social care. The charity expanded during periods influenced by reports like the Barker Commission and reviews from bodies including Social Services Inspectorate and Care Quality Commission. Key historical collaborations and tensions involved organisations such as Royal College of Psychiatrists, British Psychological Society, Barnardo's, Citizens Advice, Shelter (charity), Turning Point (charity), Centre for Socialjustice, and local institutions including Greater Manchester Combined Authority and London Borough of Camden.

Mission and Activities

The charity's mission centres on improving life outcomes for autistic people through support, campaigning, and public awareness initiatives engaging with stakeholders like Department for Education (England), Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, Public Health England, Equality and Human Rights Commission, and devolved bodies such as Scottish Government, Welsh Government, and Northern Ireland Executive. Public-facing activities have involved national campaigns referencing cultural institutions like BBC, Channel 4, Guardian Media Group, and events linked to World Health Organization, United Nations Human Rights Council, and international NGOs including Amnesty International and World Vision.

Services and Programs

Service provision spans specialist schools, supported living, employment support, and short-breaks, often coordinated with partners like Ofsted, Local Education Authorities, Care Quality Commission, Royal National Institute of Blind People, Mind (charity), Samaritans, Age UK, and housing associations such as Peabody Trust and Clarion Housing. Educational programmes connect with higher education institutions including University College London, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, King's College London, University of Manchester, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, University of Bristol, and University of Birmingham for training and accreditation. Employment initiatives liaise with employers and schemes exemplified by Department for Work and Pensions, Prince's Trust, Business in the Community, and corporate partners resembling Tesco, Sainsbury's, Barclays, HSBC, and BT Group in inclusive recruitment pilots.

Advocacy and Policy Influence

The organisation campaigns on legal and policy issues engaging with legislators and committees such as the Parliament of the United Kingdom, House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee, House of Lords Select Committee, and MPs from constituencies across regions including Westminster, Birmingham, Manchester Central, and Leeds Central. Policy influence has involved submissions to inquiries by bodies like National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Children's Commissioner for England, Local Government Association, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Autism, Equality Act 2010 consultations, and collaborations with advocacy groups such as Stonewall, Guide Dogs, Royal College of General Practitioners, British Medical Association, and Royal College of Nursing.

Research and Education

Research partnerships span universities and institutes including Autism Research Centre, MRC (Medical Research Council), Wellcome Trust, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Oxford Centre for Translational Neuroscience, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Edinburgh Centre for Research on the Experience of Disability, University of York Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, and think tanks like Institute for Public Policy Research and Policy Exchange. Educational outreach includes teacher training, allied professional development, and resources for schools inspected by Ofsted or regulated under frameworks influenced by Education Act 1944 and subsequent legislation involving bodies like Department for Education (England) and Skills Funding Agency.

Organisation and Funding

The charity's governance includes trustees, chief executives, and senior leadership who interact with funders, patrons, and strategic partners including Big Lottery Fund, National Lottery Community Fund, Comic Relief, Children in Need, National Trust, BBC Children in Need, and corporate donors like Rolls-Royce Holdings, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, and Unilever. Financial oversight and auditing occur in the context of UK charity law administered by Charity Commission for England and Wales, Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, and HM Revenue and Customs for Gift Aid. Operational delivery involves coordination with NHS trusts such as Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and local councils across regions like Greater London Authority and Metropolitan Boroughs.

Criticism and Controversies

The organisation has faced scrutiny and criticism from advocacy groups, service users, and commentators connected with entities such as Mencap, Disabled People's Organisations, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Human Rights Watch, Equality and Human Rights Commission, and media outlets including BBC News, The Guardian, and The Times. Controversies have touched on funding priorities, service closures, placement policies, and public campaigns intersecting with legal challenges in tribunals and court cases before jurisdictions like High Court of Justice and Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. Debates have referenced professional bodies including Royal College of Psychiatrists and British Psychological Society about diagnostic pathways, training, and best practice standards informed by research from institutions such as Medical Research Council and Wellcome Trust.

Category:Charities based in the United Kingdom Category:Autism organizations