Autism Initiatives

With nearly fifty years experience we positively work alongside autistic people, their families and carers providing specialist services tailored to each individual. In a variety of locations throughout the UK and Ireland we offer a wide range of support for autistic people. From schools to supported living, from short break services to one stop shops, from work placements to training, clubs and activities. Autism Initiatives has a wealth of resources and expertise that support people with autism to achieve their personal goals. ---------There is an ongoing debate over how people with a diagnosis of autism wish to refer to themselves and/or their diagnosis. The phrase ‘person with autism’ (person first) is used frequently in literature, but more recently, there has been a return to the use of the term ‘autistic person’ (or identity first), language. When talking to people, we will use the words preferred by the person to describe themselves. When we write, we will use both ‘person with autism’,  ‘autistic person’ or 'person on the autistic spectrum'. We recognise that people can feel strongly about both terminology and language and we do not wish to cause any offence to anyone.