Ask the UK government for a future where every autistic pupil can thrive.
Today, thousands of autistic pupils across the UK will be absent from education. For autistic young people, this absence can take many different forms.
- It’s being in class but not included.
- It’s being sent home because autistic traits are misunderstood.
- It's being denied a school that’s right for your needs.
A whole generation of young people are missing out on opportunities to learn, thrive, make friends and achieve.
They’re being let down by a one-size-fits-all education system that is denying them the future they deserve. This needs to change.
What we’re doing
Through our ‘absence notes’ campaign, we’re shining a light on the many reasons autistic young people miss out on their right to education. Instead of parents writing to schools, autistic young people and their families are writing their own ‘absence note’ to the Government to show what absence really looks like.
Together we can change this. As the Government preapres its Schools White Paper, we're sharing these Absence Notes to help them make the right decisions.
Join us in calling the UK Government to:
- Put autistic voices at the heart of decisions, so support reflects real lives and rebuilds trust in the system
- Judge reform by whether autistic children and young people's lives improve, using evidence and data to drive change
- Set clear expectations from the top, showing through government policy and guidance that inclusion and excellence go hand in hand, so schools are empowered to support autistic pupils
- Strengthen the SEND system to work by design, not by fight, upholding rights, improving joint working across education, health and care, and planning a full range of provision so children get the right support at the right time
- Properly fund and train for real inclusion, including ensuring every teacher and school staff member has the knowledge and confidence to support autistic pupils
Together, we can turn absence into action — and make sure every autistic young person has the chance to learn, thrive and achieve.
Sign our absence note to the Government.
