Since the beginning of 2022, the National Autistic Society has been on a journey. Having navigated the enormous challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and the on-going issues caused by the cost of living crisis, we needed to reflect and re-set to ensure our charity was delivering what autistic people and their families need and want. 

We are a large and complex organisation, providing a variety of different services, all with the main aim of creating a society that works for autistic people. We provide support and services for all ages, from very young children through to adults, and this includes statutory services such as education in our schools and residential services for both children and adults. The National Autistic Society provides support for the whole spectrum of autism and also for every geographic area of the UK. 

There are so many important issues for autistic people and we recognise that we can’t do everything. So our focus has been to listen to the autistic voice to understand what the priorities are and what really matters. It has involved working with autistic people and their families on a vision for society that goes beyond what our charity can do alone. The Moonshot Vision sets out goals for everyone to aim towards – us, campaigners, Governments, businesses, the whole of society. 

How do we listen? Through our autism insight panels, surveys and our network of 116 branches across the UK. While working with autistic people to develop the Moonshot vision, we used innovative engagement methods to ensure everyone’s views could be heard. We used social media, workshops, interviews, discussions and non-verbal creative activities such as videos and drawings. 

Vision to reality

These important activities have enabled us to create our new 2023-2026 strategy, Vision to Reality, which ensures our charity focuses on the areas, issues and support that autistic people want from us. We will focus our resources and funding on the areas that enable us to support, influence and transform. We will support all autistic individuals to live their life on their own terms. We will influence and collaborate with others to improve standards and adjustments. We will transform society by building understanding, acceptance and respect for all autistic people. 

Sitting underneath our three beliefs of support, influence and transform are a series of 12 ambitions focused on what our charity will do to achieve the vision for society. These are wide-ranging, encompassing all aspects of society and autistic people’s lives. You can read more about our ambitions in our Vision to Reality strategy document but examples include:

• Autistic people are supported to enjoy varied life experiences through all stages of life

• The needs of autistic people are recognised in the provision of healthcare, social care, housing, mental health, and criminal justice

• Autistic stereotypes and misinformation are challenged and stigma is ended

It is ambitious – but that’s because we are ambitious for autistic people and their families. Our priority is to ensure the work we do is focused and targeted, and provides the right help, advice and support to autistic people and their families. 

The National Autistic Society celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2022 and we want to make the next 60 years count. We have listened to the autistic voice in creating our new strategy – and we are ready to work hard with autistic people, supporters, campaigners and Government to make this vision a reality.  

Caroline Stevens is Chief Executive of the National Autistic Society