April is World Autism Acceptance Month, with Wednesday 2nd April kickstarting a month of celebration and awareness-raising with World Autism Awareness Day.
The global campaign aims to “raise awareness, foster acceptance and create a society where autistic people are supported, understood and empowered.”
In the UK, the National Autistic Society wants to change attitudes towards autism.
The leading autism charity says that participation in World Autism Acceptance Month and World Autism Awareness Day can help to create a more inclusive and accepting world.
They provide guidance, support and resources for individuals, families, schools and workplaces to get involved with World Autism Acceptance Month.
People can help raise awareness and vital funds by participating in a sponsored 5k walk, a spectrum colour walk or through other fundraising activities.
Why do we need World Autism Acceptance Month?
It is estimated that around 1% of the UK population is autistic. This equates to around 700,000 autistic adults and children living in the UK.
Beyond Autism points out that, if you include their families, this means that around 2.8 million people are living with the impacts of autism. They also cite research that suggests that under-diagnosis means there could actually be more than 1.2 million autistic people living in England alone.
The National Autistic Society says these individuals often face “discrimination and barriers across all sectors of society – in the health and social care systems, in education, in employment, and everywhere in between.”
They add:
“It is crucial that autistic people, and their families and carers, can access tailored information, guidance and support to overcome those barriers, along with opportunities to explore their interests, develop skills and build friendships for fulfilled lives.”
They also highlight the following key statistics:
- 8 in 10 autistic people experience mental health problems
- Only just over a quarter of autistic pupils (26%) feel happy at school
- 7 in 10 autistic children and young people said school would be better if more teachers had a good understanding of autism (Beyond Autism)
- Less than a third of autistic people (30%) are in any type of employment. This figure puts autistic people amongst the lowest rates of employment for people with additional needs or disabilities.
Beyond Autism also cites research that indicates that the UK spends around £32 billion each year in care costs and lost earnings to support autistic children and adults.
They argue that with improved awareness and understanding creating a more inclusive and empowering world for autistic people, coupled with “the right early intervention and support”, individuals could live more independently and costs could be significantly reduced.
Despite this, the British Medical Association (BMA) reports that there are still concerning delays and long waiting times for an autism diagnosis, followed by “inadequate or ineffective support.”
Empowering Autistic Travel report launched ahead of World Autism Acceptance Month
The National Autistic Society focuses on trying to break down these barriers for autistic people.
One of their most recent areas of focus has been barriers to travel for autistic people in the UK. The ability to travel can be vital for autistic people, enabling them to access education, healthcare, support and employment, but many face severe challenges when using public transport and endure negative travel experiences.
Working with the Motability Foundation, the National Autistic Society conducted a year-long research project consisting of surveys, interviews, focus groups and workshops in order to launch the Empowering Autistic Travel Research Report at the end of last month (26th March 2025).
Their insight survey received 3,375 responses, mainly from autistic people (80%) but also from relatives, friends, carers or supporting professionals. Over 90% of autistic respondents also said they had co-occurring conditions, such as learning disabilities, mental health disorders or epilepsy.
Researchers found that, when using public transport, the most common forms of travel for autistic people were:
- Trains (78%)
- Buses (75%)
- Taxis / rideshares (56%)
However, these were also found to be the most uncomfortable and difficult transport options for autistic people. Additionally, inaccessible services prevented some autistic people from accessing these modes of transport at all.
Findings from across all the research activities show that the top challenges or barriers experienced by autistic people using these modes of transport were:
- Crowding on platforms and services (90%)
- Sensory discomfort or overload (87%)
- Strangers being close or seated beside them (86%)
- Unexpected delays or cancellations (85%)
- Feeling anxious or unsafe outside the home or in public (81%)
- Struggling to travel without planning first (80%)
- Feeling rushed by others (76%)
- Being unable to sit down (74%)
Respondents also mentioned additional challenges, such as being unable to travel independently, having to talk to others, being discriminated against by passengers or staff, a lack of accessible information, pressure to mask autistic behaviour and being unable to move freely or leave mid-journey.
These challenges lead over 7 in 10 autistic people (71%) to become anxious about travel before their journey even starts.
Over two thirds of autistic people (68%) said they had to spend more time resting or recovering as a result of travel challenges and many experienced more meltdowns or sensory overload while travelling or when they reached their destination (62%).
Other top impacts of travel challenges included:
- Missing out on events or experiences they wanted to attend (54%)
- Worrying about getting to medical appointments easily and on time (52%)
- Missing out on accessing hobbies and interests (46%)
- Worrying about their future (44%)
Negative travel experiences also resulted in many autistic people experiencing a loss of confidence and independence and poor mental wellbeing.
Removing travel barriers for autistic people
The researchers have made specific recommendations under 5 key headings to help improve or remove travel barriers for autistic people. These are:
- Travel support – service providers should offer travel assistance which is easy to arrange, including support at travel facilities, stations and onboard vehicles. They should also have clearly identifiable support staff and clear information about what support is available to autistic people and how they can access it. Other recommendations include an autism friendly accredited service, discounted rates on accompanying carer tickets, communication cards for passengers to let staff know their needs and sensory regulation tools such as ear defenders, capped hats and fans.
- Accessible information – Service providers should offer travel announcements using static screens as well as auditory announcements, an indication of live service capacity and clear signs to let people know where to queue, where carriage doors open and where to wait for quiet carriages. They also recommended clearer signposting at stations, particularly towards the nearest exit, improved visual maps and advance notice of timetable and route changes, including seasonal changes, as well as reasons for delays and cancellations. Other suggestions also include clear visual instructions on how to use ticket machines and barriers, simplified ticket selection, travel information in easy-read and other accessible formats and easy to understand timetables. Meanwhile, the developers of transport apps could consider a simplified or catered interface for individuals who communicate differently, advanced information about planned changes and online booking and ticket purchases for all transport types.
- Sensory adaptations – service providers should offer quiet or safe spaces at stations where possible, with public awareness
information to explain the purpose of these. They should also consider pre-bookable quiet carriages or adapted carriages that consider wider sensory overwhelm (such as lighting and textures). Other suggestions include maintaining comfortable temperatures onboard vehicles, individual seating on transport, less visually or audibly overwhelming stations or waiting areas, the option for passengers to take a break from travel on the same ticket, and including autistic people in the future design of transport and waiting spaces. The report also suggested that autistic passengers could try using headphones or noise cancelling items, regulatory and comfort items such as fidget tools and controlled distraction by engaging in a pleasurable activity, such as reading. - Autism understanding – transport providers should consider public campaigns and information about autism and related issues such as social and communication differences, sensory overload, meltdowns and stimming and other self-soothing behaviours. They should provide digital advice and guidance on their websites and ensure staff receive high quality autism training which involves autistic people. Providers could also nominate a named autism champion among their staff who advocates for autistic users and conduct ride-along journeys with autistic people to better understand their travel experiences. Other suggestions included working with autistic consultants to design and evaluate any initiatives to improve knowledge and understanding and participation in industry forums to share knowledge and best practice.
- Reduce uncertainty – the report suggests that transport providers could offer planning checklists and resources, advance notice of changes such as engineering works, strike action or closures, clear, accessible online announcements of changes or replacement plans, cancellations and delays. They should also improve consistency between transport vehicles, run travel training schemes for autistic people and provide simplified ticket schemes and purchasing options. Researchers also suggested that autistic people access live trackers to ensure they are aware of what is happening in real time, emotionally prepare for journeys by taking time to relax beforehand, practice journeys to increase familiarity and reduce unpredictability and learn routes and journey times to boost confidence when travelling. Autistic people could also use quieter travel times when possible, plan strategies and transition points and have an emergency plan in place for when things go wrong.
The report’s authors recognise that some of these recommendations may already exist in some settings, but they are not consistent across all travel settings.
Launching the report, the National Autistic Society said the research had resulted in “ideas for change which are feasible, realistic and backed by evidence.”
They added:
“We hope that our recommendations for the transport industry and the general public will be adopted, in order to create a society that works for autistic people. In addition, we want autistic people and families to benefit from the tips and strategies captured in our research.”
Meanwhile, Dr Judith Brown, the Head of Autism Knowledge and Expertise at the National Autistic Society, said that independent travel was currently “either hugely problematic, or impossible,” for autistic people.
She explained:
“With better recognition, understanding and empathy towards autistic people from transport professionals and the general public – journeys will feel far safer. There are some fantastic examples of good practice in transport support available. We need to expand on these and, even more importantly, create societal change in attitudes towards difference. By working together to understand challenges for autistic people, and facilitate positive change, autistic people can make comfortable journeys and improve the quality of life.”
Celebrate autistic colleagues this World Autism Acceptance Month
Better recognition, understanding and empathy towards autistic people, together with efforts to understand their challenges and facilitate positive change, could also help to significantly improve employment rates among autistic people.
Inclusive Employers supports workplaces to embrace inclusion and diversity. This World Autism Acceptance Month, they want to encourage employers to celebrate their autistic colleagues.
Commenting on the low employment rate among autistic people, they say this is “unfair to autistic people who would succeed in employment with the right accommodations,” but also argue that employers are “missing out on the many benefits of employing autistic people.”
They highlight research from Patrick Bardsley, co-founder and CEO of Spectrum Designs Foundation, who found that autistic employees have a retention rate of up to 90%.
In an article for Forbes in 2022, Bardsley highlighted 5 key benefits of hiring neurodiverse employees. These were:
- They’re good at problem solving, with close attention to detail and fewer mistakes
- They’re loyal – highlighting the 90% staff retention rate
- A neurodiverse team boosts company culture. Bardsley says: “True inclusion and acceptance of who people are creates a safe and judgment-free environment, allowing everyone to be themselves at work.”
- It also boost a company’s image. Glassdoor found that 76% of job seekers listed diversity as an important factor when evaluating companies and job offers. Consumers can also be more attracted to socially conscious brands.
- They’re extremely professional, thriving in a structured environment with rules, routines and timetables.
Bardsley concluded:
“As society continues to move forward, diversity and inclusion will continue to be major themes. Furthermore, the biggest problems of our time will require an acceptance that great minds are everywhere, and they’re probably not all thinking alike.”
Inclusive Employers argues that we all need to be more accepting of neurological differences. Their Marketing and Communications Executive, Zeinab Ali, says:
“I want employers to use Autism Acceptance Month as an opportunity to break taboos about autism. I want organisations to speak more openly about autism and celebrate autistic colleagues, and I want autistic people to feel confident enough to be their true selves at work. Let’s make it possible for autistic people to say: “I’m autistic” at job interviews and not have it impact their employment opportunities.”
Inclusive Employers outlines some key ways in which employers can mark World Autism Acceptance Month this April:
- Download and read their guide for autism inclusion in the workplace
- Listen to and share their podcast to raise awareness about autistic employees’ experiences in the workplace
- Learn from autistic colleagues or neurodiverse staff networks. Develop initiatives in collaboration with autistic colleagues
- Consult their bitesize inclusion toolkit to facilitate conversations about autism in the workplace
- Talk about autistic role models or ask colleagues to share their experiences
- Develop knowledge and understanding of autism within your workplace through specially tailored neurodiversity training
Autistic people in care
The National Autistic Society also regularly publishes a news update revealing the number of autistic people currently in mental health hospitals in England.
Quoting Assuring Transformation NHS Digital data, they said that, in February 2025, there were a total of 2,055 autistic people and people with learning disabilities in inpatient mental health hospitals in England. Of these, more than 7 in 10 (71%) were autistic. Meanwhile, 215 were under the age of 18, and 96% of these young patients were autistic.
This is extremely concerning, as the charity notes that it is “widely recognised” that receiving care in an inpatient mental health unit can be “deeply damaging” for autistic people.
They explain that the average length of stay for an autistic person is around 4.9 years and that many continue to experience “overmedication, seclusion and unnecessary restraint,” while receiving care in these facilities.
In the vast majority of cases (92%), the Mental Health Act 1983 is used to detain autistic people and people with a learning disability in a mental health hospital.
The National Autistic Society and many other organisations and campaigners have been calling for changes to the Mental Health Act for years. The law needs to be reformed to stop people being sectioned just because they’re autistic and to make it easier for autistic people in hospitals to leave.
The new Labour government recently introduced the Mental Health Bill to Parliament. The First Reading of the Bill was held in November last year in the House of Lords, and it is now going through the Parliamentary process where it can be scrutinized and strengthened.
The National Autistic Society commented:
“The Bill must be passed and implemented as soon as possible. However, the Government has said it will not commence any changes until it is satisfied there is sufficient support in the community. A comprehensive plan for investing in and developing high-quality and accessible community support for autistic people is vital to ending this scandal and ensuring legislative reform is a success.”
Improve awareness and understanding of autism
First Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider delivering courses in subjects such as health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food safety, mental health, health and social care and more.
They have developed specialist neurodiversity training courses such as Introduction to the Autistic Spectrum, Working with Autistic People, Learning Disability and Autism, ADHD Awareness, Dyslexia Awareness, SEND Awareness and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
They have also previously worked in partnership with clients to develop bespoke training for them in topics such as Adapting Learning for SEND and SEND and Barriers to Learning.
FRT were one of the first training providers to be approved to deliver the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. They have also developed their own flexible training programme which is co-delivered with experts with lived experience, meets all recommended learning objectives and is fully compliant with the requirements of the Health and Care Act 2022.
A trainer from FRT says:
“Autistic people and people with learning disabilities deserve high quality, personalised care and support that takes account of their individual needs and concerns and promotes dignity, independence and compassion. They should not be subject to inappropriate care at any time.
“Oliver McGowan’s family have spent years campaigning to this effect and developed the mandatory training programme to help transform care. Now it is time to also ensure the legislation around mental health care is fit for purpose and promotes equal, high quality, safe and appropriate care for all.
“Across all sections of society, however, we must improve autism awareness and understanding and work with the autistic community to ensure public spaces, healthcare and education settings and workplaces are truly inclusive and supportive for autistic people. This will enable them to overcome barriers they face and empower them to succeed and live fulfilling, independent lives.”
“This World Autism Acceptance Month, it’s really important that we focus on these issues and ensure that autistic people have a voice and acceptance.”
For more information about the neurodiversity training that FRT can provide, please download any of these free resources:
You can also get advice and guidance on creating an inclusive workplace for neurodivergent employees with their free guide:
For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.