Advocacy & Outreach

Advocacy & Outreach
Championing autistic voices. Building inclusive communities. Creating lasting change.

At Autism Support Network, advocacy and outreach are at the heart of everything we do. We believe that autistic individuals and their families deserve to be heard, respected, and supported to live meaningful and fulfilling lives. Through advocacy, we challenge barriers and inequality. Through outreach, we bring understanding, connection, and support directly into communities.

Our Advocacy Mission
Our mission is to amplify autistic voices and promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion across all areas of life. We work to influence positive change in education, health, social care, and community settings by ensuring lived experience is recognised, valued, and respected.

We advocate to:

Reduce stigma and misinformation around autism
Promote equality, dignity, and human rights
Improve access to appropriate support and services
Empower families to confidently navigate their journeys

Who We Advocate For
We advocate for:

Autistic children, young people, and adults
Parents, carers, and wider family members
Individuals with complex needs or additional disabilities
Communities that are under-represented or face additional barriers
Our approach is inclusive, culturally sensitive, and grounded in compassion.

What We Advocate On
Our advocacy focuses on the areas that matter most to autistic individuals and their families:

Education & Inclusion – reasonable adjustments, SEND support, and inclusive learning environments
Health & Wellbeing – fair access to healthcare, dignity in treatment, and holistic support
Social Inclusion – reducing isolation and increasing community participation
Rights & Safeguarding – promoting equality, respect, and protection
Transitions & Independence – supporting pathways into adulthood, employment, and independent living

 

Outreach in the Community
Our outreach work brings autism awareness and practical support directly into communities. We engage with families and professionals through:

Community awareness events and workshops
Parent support groups and coffee mornings
School, college, and professional engagement sessions
Faith-based, cultural, and grassroots community outreach
Online sessions, webinars, and digital awareness campaigns
We meet people where they are, creating safe and welcoming spaces for learning and connection.

 

Lived Experience at the Centre
We believe lived experience is a powerful form of expertise. Autistic individuals, parents, carers, and siblings help shape our work, inform our priorities, and guide our advocacy. By centring real voices, we ensure our work is authentic, relevant, and impactful.

Partnerships & Collaboration
We work in partnership with:

Schools, colleges, and education providers
Health and social care professionals
Community organisations and charities
Faith groups and cultural organisations
Local and international autism initiatives
Collaboration strengthens our reach and helps us create sustainable change.

Campaigns & Awareness
We deliver and support campaigns that promote autism awareness, acceptance, and understanding. Our work includes community campaigns, training sessions, resource sharing, and public engagement activities that encourage positive attitudes and informed conversations about autism.

How You Can Get Involved
There are many ways to support our advocacy and outreach work:

Volunteer or become an advocate
Share your lived experience or story
Partner with us as an organisation or professional
Invite us to speak, train, or support your community
Support or promote our awareness campaigns
Together, we can make a difference.

Our Impact
Through advocacy and outreach, we have:

Supported families to feel informed, empowered, and less alone
Increased community understanding and acceptance of autism
Strengthened partnerships across education, health, and community sectors
Created safe spaces for dialogue, learning, and support
Every conversation, connection, and voice matters.

Our Values
Our advocacy is guided by strong values:
Inclusion · Respect · Equity · Empowerment · Hope · Community