- National Autistic Society
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The National Autistic Society 
Founder(s) A group of London parents Type Registered charity Founded 1962 Location London Area served United Kingdom Focus Support the rights and interests of all people with Autism Revenue £89.8 million (2009)[1] Employees 3 172[1] Members 19 000 (2010)[2] Motto "Accept difference. Not indifference." Website http://www.autism.org.uk/ Autism rights movement Philosophy Neurodiversity · Neurotypical · Sociological and cultural aspects Organizations Autism National Committee · Autism Network International · Autistic Self Advocacy Network · National Autistic Society Events Autistic Pride Day · Autreat Issues Judge Rotenberg Educational Center · Karen McCarron The National Autistic Society (NAS) is a British charity for people with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), including autism and Asperger's Syndrome. The purpose of the organisation is primarily to improve of the lives of people with Autism in the United Kingdom.
Founded in 1962 as the Autistic Children's Aid Society of North London, it currently has around 20 000 members. The NAS is funded through voluntary contributions and charity events.
In addition to the campaigns the NAS has a number of specialist facilities to provide support, education and advocacy to autistic people and their families.
Contents
History and organization
The National Autistic Society originated from the foundation of the Autistic Children's Aid Society of North London on 23 January 1962 by parents of autistic children living in the area, with the assistance of a member from The Spastics Society (later Scope).[3] The current name was adopted in 1975 when the charity extended its interest to the whole of the United Kingdom. It has the following names registered with the Charity Commission:
- The National Autistic Society
- National Society for Autistic Children
- Autism UK
- Action for Autism
The NAS is organized into four regions and currently run by an elected Board of Trustees and an elected Council through a Strategic Management Group. The president of the NAS is Jane Asher and the patron is The Countess of Wessex.[4] In 2009, it employed 2 983 persons and spent £83.1 million directly on its charitable activities, out of £86 million in expenditures (approx 97%).[1]
In 2011, the NAS consulted with numerous police agencies in developing identity card schemes designed to ensure a tolerable environment for autistic individuals during inquiries; participating agencies included the Wiltshire Police, the Essex Police, the Norfolk Constabulary, the Suffolk Constabulary, and the Cumbria Constabulary.[5][6]
Schools and facilities
The NAS manages a number of residential schools in the United Kingdom.
Broomhayes School
Broomhayes School and Children's Centre (alternatively Kingsley House) is a residential school near Bideford, Devon,[7] and consists mostly of buildings of a former NHS infectious diseases unit. The school was established in 1985 in Westward Ho!, before moving to its current location in 1993 and has a maximum capacity of 26 boarding students. As of March 2009 it is currently supplemented by a further education unit for 14 students, utilising a Grade II listed Rectory near Northam, Devon.
Construction work to extend and redevelop the Kingsley House site commenced on January 2009. The project will consolidate all facilities currently provided by Broomhayes School into a single site, easing transportation issues affecting some severely disabled students. The new buildings are expected to be built to the specifications and needs of both boarding and day students, whilst most of the former hospital units will be refurbished. Upon completion in Autumn 2009, the Rectory may be sold off.[8]
Helen Allison School
The Helen Allison School is a residential school for 42 day pupils and 28 residential pupils, and is located near Meopham, Kent. The school was originally founded at Gravesend in 1968, before moving to its present location in 1991.
Radlett Lodge School
The Radlett Lodge School is a residential school for 49 pupils (including 14 residential) in Radlett, Herfordshire. It was opened in 1974, with boarding facilities being added in 1986.
Sybil Elgar School
The Sybil Elgar School is a residential school in Southall, west London. It was opened in 1965.
Robert Ogden School
The Robert Ogden School is a residential school for children 6–19 years old. It includes Clayton Croft which can cater for 16 children and Hoylands House which caters for 14 children, both based based in Yorkshire.
Daldorch House School
The Daldorch School is a residential school in Ayrshire, Scotland. It is for children 5–18 years old. The junior campus is a category B listed building, built in 1801.[9]
Branding and identity
The NAS has had different styles of branding during it history to reflect changes in their name and role. In the 1990s the main colour scheme was green and its logo was based on the shape of a jigsaw piece. The logo and colour scheme was overhauled in 2002, which involved tones of blue and jade. In 2008 the primary colour scheme was adjusted to shades of violet.
References
- ^ a b c "Charity Overview: National Autistic Society". Register of Charities. Charity Commission. 17 August 2009. http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityWithPartB.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=269425&SubsidiaryNumber=0. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
- ^ "Who we are and what we do". The National Autistic Society. 8 October 2010. http://www.autism.org.uk/News-and-events/About-the-NAS/Who-we-are-and-what-we-do.aspx. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
- ^ Allison, Helen (June 1997). "Perspectives on a puzzle piece". National Autistic Society. http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?a=2183&d=364. Retrieved 2009-09-03.
- ^ "Our structure". National Autistic Society. http://autism.org.uk/news-and-events/about-the-nas/our-structure.aspx. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
- ^ Autism Alert Card, Wiltshire Police, Retrieved 6 May 2011
- ^ Autism Anglia, Retrieved 6 May 2011
- ^ "Broomhayes School and Children's Centre". Ofsted. http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxedu_providers/full/%28urn%29/113615/. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
- ^ "Broomhayes School at Bideford to undergo £2.3 million redevelopment". North Devon Journal. 2008-07-18. pp. 1. http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/housing/Broomhayes-School-Bideford-undergo-2-3-million-redevelopment/article-223118-detail/article.html. Retrieved 2009-02-25.
- ^ "Daldorch: Listed Building Report". Historic Scotland. http://hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk/hslive/hsstart?P_HBNUM=19680.
External links
- NAS website
- Public Autism Resource and Information Service - 'UK Autism services Directory'
- NAS Information Sheets
Categories:- Disability organizations
- Health charities in the United Kingdom
- Educational charities based in the United Kingdom
- Autism-related organizations
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