Autism Inclusion Awards
[PDF, 267KB]

The Autism Inclusion Awards celebrate the many individuals and organisations around the UK who help people with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) to take a full part in the life of their communities. Children and adults with ASD often find it difficult to be included in all parts of society - education, employment, leisure, housing and the local community in general. Within this report are examples of individuals with ASD not only receiving services but also being included and encouraged to take part within their local community. People nominated anybody who they felt had been particularly helpful in promoting inclusion for themselves or their family. The winners covered all abilities on the autistic spectrum, the whole of the UK and age groups from nursery into adulthood. The NAS hopes that the winners of these awards will inspire others to emulate their achievements and create communities which value people with autistic spectrum disorders and adapt to their needs.

Autism: the Demand for Advocacy
[PDF, 95KB]

Autism: The Demand for Advocacy shows that advocacy organisations are prevented from helping adults with ASD by the lack of both Government funding and appropriate training. The NAS wants to see better availability and access to independent advocacy services that can help adults with autistic spectrum disorders obtain the services they need. The NAS is now starting a three-year initiative to help independent advocacy organisations become more responsive to the needs of people with autism.

GPs on Autism
[PDF, 48KB]

A survey of UK GPs by The National Autistic Society (NAS) has found that whilst the numbers of patients with autism on their lists are increasing, provision of effective assessment and referral is not guaranteed. GPs require more guidance and training in identifying signs that a patient may have autism.

Autism and education:the ongoing battle
[PDF, 105KB]

The Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST) exists to hear parents' appeals against decisions of Local Education Authorities (LEAs) about children's special educational needs, where parents cannot reach an agreement with their LEA. Autism is the single highest individual disability registered at SENDIST. From 2001 to 2003 there has been a 43.6% increase in the number of appeals concerning children with autism.

The NAS report shows that parents value the opportunity to put their case before an independent panel, and SENDIST often rules in favour of parents. However, it also illustrates that LEAs are often ignoring SENDIST rulings and are failing to automatically deliver an improved education. Only 6 in 10 LEAs had fully implemented the Tribunal's order. No robust mechanism currently exists to monitor the implementation of SENDIST orders.