Vision to Reality strategy

Our Vision to Reality strategy for 2026 to 2030 sets out how the National Autistic Society will continue to create a society that works for autistic people.

Introducing our new strategy

We’re proud to launch our updated Vision to Reality strategy 2026 to 2030. Guided by our Moonshot Vision, this strategy sets out the role we will play in driving meaningful change for autistic people and their families.

It builds on the progress we’ve made so far, while responding to a changing and more challenging environment. Public understanding of autism is evolving, but so too are the barriers autistic people face — including rising misinformation, ongoing inequality in access to support, and pressures across public services.

This strategy outlines the beliefs, ambitions and priorities that will guide our work over the next four years.

Whether you’re an autistic person, family member or ally, a partner organisation, staff member, volunteer, campaigner or supporter — this strategy brings us together around a shared goal: creating lasting change.

Read our strategy document: View here

Our vision

Today, our goal is the same as it always was – to create a society that works for autistic people. But society has changed a lot since our charity was founded over 60 years ago, as has what we know about autism and what autistic people rightly expect from the world around them.

Our mission

We are here to transform lives by providing support, information and practical advice for more than 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK, and their families and support networks.

We also work to change attitudes by improving public understanding of autism, challenging misinformation, and helping businesses, public services and government to create more inclusive environments, deliver better services and improve laws.

Our beliefs

Our strategy is built around three core beliefs about the role we must play as a charity. Through our insight and experience, we know that transforming society must come first.

Transform society by building understanding, acceptance and respect for all autistic people

Influence and collaborate with others to improve standards and adjustments

Support all autistic individuals and their families to live a fulfilled life on their terms

Within each belief, we have set out clear ambitions and priorities to focus our efforts where they will have the greatest impact.

Transform

Transform society by building understanding, acceptance and respect for all autistic people.

Lack of understanding and harmful misinformation continue to shape autistic people’s daily experiences. Autism is increasingly being discussed in ways that are confusing or damaging, and this has real consequences.

We will take a stronger, more confident role in challenging misinformation, improving public understanding and ensuring autistic voices shape the narrative.

We are committed to:

challenging harmful stereotypes and misinformation
amplifying diverse autistic voices and experiences
building a stronger movement for change with autistic people and allies
influencing policy so autistic people’s needs are recognised and met

Influence

Influence and collaborate with others to improve standards and adjustments.

We will work with governments, public services, employers and partners to improve understanding, raise standards and create environments that meet autistic people’s needs.

We are committed to:

sharing evidence-based knowledge and best practice
expanding training, accreditation and consultancy
improving accessibility in public spaces and services
supporting workplaces to become more inclusive

Support

Support all autistic individuals and their families to live a fulfilled life on their terms.

Providing trusted support remains at the heart of what we do.

We will continue to ensure autistic people and their families can access the information, services and community they need — at every stage of life.

We are committed to:

being the go-to source of reliable advice and information
strengthening our schools and adult services
growing our online and local communities
supporting families and networks from pre-diagnosis onwards

Our values

Upfront

We are honest, clear and confident. We speak out on the issues that matter and challenge misinformation and inequality.

Inclusive

Respect is at our core. We embrace diversity, listen to different perspectives and actively tackle discrimination.

Pioneering

We are experts in autism and value the expertise of autistic people. We are committed to learning, evolving and driving meaningful change.

Empowering

Through trust and leadership, we maximise autistic power and ensure autistic people have a strong voice in shaping the world around them.

Our vision in action

Our goal remains the same but society continues to change. Expectations are rightly higher, and autistic people are clear about what needs to improve.

Our Moonshot Vision sets out what a society that works for autistic people truly looks like, shaped directly by autistic people and their families. It reflects the scale of ambition needed and the collaboration required to achieve it.

A society that works for autistic people:

values autistic individuals
maximises autistic power
guarantees support
adapts public services and spaces
is free from discrimination

This strategy sets out how we will continue turning that vision into reality.

How we will deliver this strategy

To achieve our ambitions, we must continue to evolve as an organisation.

Our foundations set out how we will work, strengthening our culture, systems and capabilities so we can deliver real impact.

To support our strategy, we will:

deliver high-impact fundraising and exceptional supporter experiences
build a culture where colleagues feel valued, supported and empowered
maintain sustainable financial models for long-term impact
uphold the highest standards of safeguarding, governance and quality
champion technology, including AI, to improve how we support people
strengthen how we work together across the organisation to deliver change

This strategy is a commitment to autistic people, their families and the change we know is needed.

Together, we will continue working towards a society that truly works for autistic people.

Vision to Reality strategy blogs

Our new strategy, Vision to Reality, focuses on how we will create a society that works for autistic people. These blogs tell the story of our strategy’s development, and the hopes and ambitions of the people involved.