National Autistic Society

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The National Autistic Society (abbreviated as 'NAS') is a autism-related charity in the United Kingdom.

It states that it exists to champion the rights and interests of all people with autism and to ensure that they and their families receive quality services appropriate to their needs. The NAS launched a "Make School Make Sense" campaign in May 2006 at the Houses of Parliament, with speakers including Jane Asher (who is also president of the charity and takes an active role in its running) and Joshua Muggleton, a speaker and writer on autistic spectrum disorders, disability, and education.

The NAS has a mixed reception among the UK aspergers community. Some feel their work is good, other feel that they cling to old methods and care more about the society than the people they set out to aim.

Contents

[edit] NAS Services and Support

The Autism Services Directory The Autism Services Directory is an online UK-wide database of diagnostic services, schools, support groups, training courses, residential and day services and much more. The Directory is designed to help people with autism (including those with Asperger syndrome), their families and the people who work with them professionally to find out more about the services available to them. Through simple searches and browsing, users can find their nearest school, adult service, respite service, play scheme or other type of local or national service.

The Directory provides valuable information to professionals working with people who have autism by including details about training courses, events, professional partnerships and statutory organisations.

Signpost Signpost is the personalised version of the Directory which also draws information from the NAS website to deliver personalised information of relevance to your specific circumstances and locale.

The Directory Includes; The information on the Directory is autism-specific. It caters for people with autism, their carers, and professionals working with them. However, some details may be relevant to other disabilities. Information on the Directory comprises:

Services: accreditation; day; domiciliary; employment; outreach; residential; respite; supported living schemes; and fostering services Support groups: local parent groups; befriending schemes; family support and information; partnerships; professional support networks; social groups; and social skills groups. Educational services: nursery and pre-school intervention and support; schools; further and higher education; play and leisure services; and out of school services assessment and diagnostic services advice and advocacy services: a national Autism Helpline and advice and advocacy service for special educational needs training and events including: conferences; exhibitions; short courses; training providers; and accredited courses voluntary, private and statutory organisations who offer services to people with autism.

[edit] Our Schools and Outreach Service

Broomhayes School The aim of Broomhayes School and Children's Centre is to provide a specialist 24 hour, safe and secure learning environment for students with autistic spectrum disorders.

Daldorch House School Daldorch House School is the sixth school to be established by The National Autistic Society (NAS). It is the first 52 week autism-specific residential school to be established in Scotland by the NAS, providing residential places for 40 children aged five to 18 years.

Helen Allison School The Helen Allison School in Kent supports children and young people with aged five to 19 in the school, further education department and residential units.

Radlett Lodge School Radlett Lodge is a primary school (3-11 years). The school is subject to inspection by OFSTED and The National Care Standards Commission.

Robert Ogden School The National Autistic Society's Robert Ogden School, located in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, offers day and residential (weekly boarding) provision for up to 125 pupils aged 8-19.

Sybil Elgar School The Sybil Elgar School was opened by The National Autistic Society (NAS) in 1965. From its early beginnings of nine pupils/students in one building, it now has the facility to take up to 72 pupils/students as day, weekly or termly boarders, aged 11-19+.

NAS outreach services offer training and support to teaching staff working with children and young people with autism.

The NAS Autism Helpline offers advice, information and support for people with autism, their parents and carers and may be contacted on 0845 070 4004 or by email: helpline@nas.org.uk The Helpline is open from 10am-4pm, Monday-Friday.

The charity also provides services including schools; support groups; residential and day services; advocacy, an Education Advice Line, employment support, and training courses.

There are a number of ways to support the NAS. Further information can be found on our website – www.autism.org.uk – in the ‘Getting involved’ section.

[edit] What you can do

Becoming a member The National Autistic Society (NAS) membership scheme is a great source of information, advice and support. It gives our members the chance to share knowledge, experiences and get more involved in the vital work of the society. A strong membership allows the NAS to have a strong voice in campaigning for the rights and entitlements of people with autism and their families. Benefits of membership include a welcome pack, with membership card, information sheets, and support contacts; Communication, the quarterly magazine devoted to ASD; Asperger United, the only magazine of its kind produced by and for adults with Asperger syndrome; priority information on workshops and training courses, and discounts on selected products relevant to people with autistic spectrum disorders.

Campaigning for change Our Policy and Campaigns team lobbies and campaigns on the widest possible range of issues affecting people with autistic spectrum disorders, their families and carers. You can join our network of campaigners by signing up to our Campaigns Network - see the link below.

Volunteering There are a number of varied volunteering opportunities within The National Autistic Society. These include: clerical work, befriending a child with autism, volunteering on the Parent to Parent support line, joining young adults with Asperger syndrome on outings as part of our social groups programme, and taking part in research.

Fundraising The National Autistic Society (NAS) relies on funds from voluntary sources for the development of a range of services to meet the special needs of people with autism, their carers and their families. There are many ways to go about raising funds on behalf of the NAS, from joining a trek in Brazil or running in the Flora London Marathon, to becoming a corporate supporter or holding a sponsored silence. Contact our fundraising team for more information. Tel: 020 7903 3252; email: fundraising@nas.org.uk

Making a donation Through the Government's Gift Aid scheme The National Autistic Society can now get more money from donations with no additional cost to the donor. If you are a UK taxpayer, we can claim 28p from the Inland Revenue from every £1 donated. So, if you were to donate £10 we could claim an additional £2.80 back!

You can donate in a number of ways, from making a single donation, to payroll giving (donating directly from your salary). Visit www.autism.org.uk to find out more.

[edit] External links