We expect the Government to announce its long-awaited plans to reform the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system very soon. In a new blog, our Chief Executive sets out our five principles for effective reform. If the white paper…

The Disabled Children’s Partnership and the charity Kids, campaign for better support for disabled children, young people and their families. This survey is for young disabled people aged 11-25 years, living in England. The government plan to reform the system…

Background For many years, evidence has shown that autistic people and people with a learning disability have reduced life expectancy. In September 2025, minister Stephen Kinnock said, “The latest report shows that on average, people with a learning disability die…

23 January 2026 Joint statement: Today the Government has responded to the House of Lords’ report, ‘Time to deliver: the Autism Act and the new autism strategy’. As the autism charity sector, we stand together to say the Government’s response…

In 2024, we Global Child and Maternal Health published the Black Child SEND Report and convened our first Black Child SEND Conference – bringing families, practitioners, and policymakers together to expose and evidence racial inequity within the SEND system. In…

The NHS has published the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Study, which shows that the prevalence of autistic adults in the UK remains at around one in 100 people. Our charity’s response is included below. NAS comment: Mel Merritt, Head of Policy…

The Autism Act 2009 is a law that says the Government must make an autism strategy, keep it up to date, and provide guidance for the NHS and local authorities about what they need to do. A House of Lords…

In its new report ‘Time to deliver: The Autism Act 2009 and the new autism strategy’, the Lords Autism Act 2009 Committee calls on the government to launch a new autism strategy in July 2026 and identify priority outcomes, produce…

The National Autistic Society Post A new report has been published by the Autism Act 2009 Committee, which makes clear that governments have failed to break down barriers for autistic people, who face a constant fight for support and unacceptable…

This is the key conclusion reached by the House of Lords special inquiry committee on the Autism Act 2009 in its report ‘Time to deliver: The Autism Act 2009 and the new autism strategy’. Report: Time to deliver: The Autism…

Precision Medicine Project – Understanding the relationship between autism and hypermobility Background Hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) are connective tissue disorders characterised by pain, joint instability, dislocations, and fatigue. Autism is a complex developmental condition characterized…

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To assess the quality, biases, and validity of evidence on maternal paracetamol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (referred to as autism) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in offspring. DESIGN Umbrella review of…

You can now apply to join our 2026-2028 Young Ambassador Programme! We are looking for: Young autistic people aged 18-25 Who want to learn more and get involved with running campaigns And are passionate about making society work for autistic…

More dangerous anti-science from the US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy, now linking autism with circumcision. This is not based on any form of rigorous, robust research and could put lives at risk. This incessant focus on pseudo-scientific causes of…

You may remember last year, Hillary Newhall designed an autism friendly garden which was created for the RHS Flower Show in Tatton Park, and won Bronze.   The show garden, titled “The Secret Garden: For Us, By Us,” was transferred…