Having a more informed, inclusive understanding - grounded in Autistic voices - is essential for good practice. Explore open access Research in Practice resources to support autism and humanity.
World Autism Awareness Day is the start of World Autism Acceptance Month. These events highlight the importance of recognising the dignity and worth of Autistic people across all stages of life. It reinforces the need for both children’s and adults’ sectors to adopt a life course perspective. This approach recognises how experiences in childhood, adolescence, adulthood and older age shape individuals, their wellbeing, opportunities and even future generations.
As the UN notes, the international movement has grown:
‘beyond awareness to actively promote acceptance, appreciation, and inclusion, recognising the contributions autistic people make to their communities and the world at large.’
A common thread is the need to understand Autism, including how individual being Autistic is, to provide meaningful, fair and respectful support. While this may sound straightforward, misconceptions remain widespread. For many years, research and diagnostic frameworks have been shaped largely by nonautistic, ‘outsider’ perspectives, which often framed autism through a deficit focused lens. This has contributed to inaccurate assumptions and, at times, punitive or pathologising interpretations of Autistic experience.
The following resources aim to support the development of frameworks that include voices of lived experience to help us understand Autistic ways of being. The resources will be open access until 1 May 2026.
Working with Autistic parents: Frontline Briefing
This resource aims to enhance understanding of autism, seeking to facilitate a shift towards more inclusive practices with families. Authored by Jenni Guthrie who is an Autistic parent, registered social worker and researcher and developed in collaboration with Autistic parents and child and family practitioners. It is rooted in the realities and experiences of families and providers.
View the briefing
An upcoming Practice Guide will accompany the above briefing and will be published soon. The guide aims to strengthen professional knowledge, curiosity and confidence by offering practical neuroinclusive approaches rooted in the values of the neurodiversity paradigm and social justice within social care.
Autism inclusive practice: Frontline Briefing
This Frontline Briefing offers a way forward to support practice that is more inclusive of autistic people and their families.
Autistic people can feel excluded and invalidated by health and social care practices and the briefing aims to support practitioners in recognising and addressing these issues, while working towards an inclusive and strength-based approach.
View the briefing
Understanding autism - a neurodiversity approach to supporting children and young people: Video series
Autistic author and researcher Kieran Rose (The Autistic Advocate) shares a reframed narrative around autism.
The videos have a particular focus on Autistic ways of being in childhood and adolescence.
Watch the videos
