National Autistic Society

About us

Founded in 1962, we are the UK’s leading charity for autistic people and their families. Our goal is to help transform lives, change attitudes and create a society that works for autistic people.

Our pioneering schools and adult services

Since we started the first autism-specific school in the world in 1965, we've been testing out the best ways to support autistic people of all ages. Today we run residential, supported living, community day hubs, outreach, befriending, social groups and employment support services for adults as well as specialist schools, autism centres in mainstream schools and further education support for children and young people. 

Information and advice for autistic people, friends and families

We are determined to share the knowledge we've gained over the last 50 years, so more people are able to make informed decisions about their lives. Find out about our helplines, our local, volunteer-run branches, our membership programme, our training for family members, our parent to parent service for autistic adults, and our online community, which can help you get the information and advice you need.

Support for professionals

Our support for professionals includes training courses, conferences, consultancy and an Autism Accreditation programme to help professionals working with autistic people gain the knowledge they need. We also offer support for employers to help you to understand how to attract autistic employees into your workplace. 

Our social change work

Our award-winning social change work helps politicians, businesses and the general public to understand autism better. Our policy campaigns help to make sure that new Government policies show a real understanding of autism. Our Access Award helps businesses and services of all sizes to become welcoming to autistic people. And we are soon to launch a new initiative to educate millions of the public about autism, based on the real experiences of thousands of autistic people and their families and friends.