Ambitious about Autism

Ambitious about Autism is the national charity standing with autistic children and young people. 

We believe every autistic child and young person has the right to be themselves and realise their ambitions. 

We started as one school and have become a movement for change. We champion rights, campaign for change and create opportunities. 

The next few years are critical if we are to work with autistic children, young people and their families to overcome the enormous challenges they face as a result of the lack of understanding of their needs.

We will continue to build on our core expertise in education and employability while engaging more than ever before in the other areas that are essential for autistic children and young people to lead fulfilling lives, such as having supportive families and relationships, good health and wellbeing and being active citizens in their communities.

Excellent education

Our overarching aim is that all autistic children and young people have an excellent and inclusive education that enables them to learn, thrive and achieve. Ultimately, this will support them to have a good quality of life, including the realistic prospect of living and working as part of their communities.

Employment and enterprise

Our guiding principle is that we want every autistic young person to have good careers education at school and in further and higher education, including experience of work. This will equip them to progress to employment and instil transferable life-skills.

Health and wellbeing

Good physical and mental health and wellbeing are essential components of an autistic child or young person’s ability to thrive. Right from the start, timely diagnosis followed by post-diagnostic support lays the foundations for understanding autism and how to access the right healthcare and support. Alongside this, autistic people need services that support good mental health by reducing isolation and early intervention through signposting to specialist support.

Family and relationships

During the pandemic, the support autistic young people and their families received reduced substantially or stopped, leaving many feeling even more vulnerable and isolated than ever before. Being connected to others is vital, and autistic young people and their families have told us they want peer networks alongside uplifting but realistic information tailored to them.

Active citizenship in the community

Inclusion is a cornerstone of our Ambitious Approach and is just as important in the community as it is in education or employment. Our Ambitious Youth Network for autistic young people aged 16-25, will be further developed and expanded nationally to empower young people to connect with one another and to influence societal change.

Strong foundations

Underpinning all this are our strong foundations as an organisation, and our commitment to influence policy and practice nationally:

• We will continue to develop our strong foundations (including governance and leadership, people and culture, fundraising and finances, marketing and communications, research and evaluation, and digital and information technology) to support delivery of the strategy.
• We are passionate about standing with autistic children and young people. To achieve this, we’ll work with autistic young people and their families to influence policy and practice nationally, to improve their access to excellent education, quality health support, and fulfilling careers.

To find out more telephone 020 8815 5444, email  info@ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk, or visit www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk