disorders

The UK Autism Foundation (UKAF) is a charitable organisation which began in 2008. It has launched a £10 million fundraising program to realise its aims to build the first ever state of the art Autism Centre in London, build an autism school and to launch initiatives to help families dealing with autism who are poor. The UKAF developed from the work of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK founded in 2000 by parents and carers. The site provides access to the newsletter, and brief information about autism.

Autism Speaks is a registered charity in the UK and was launched by the autism campaigner and philanthropist, Dame Stephanie Shirley in 2004. It is the only charity which raises money for biomedical research into the causes of autism spectrum disorders. The website provides information about autism, including its causes and impact. Information is also provided on the research carried out by the charity, including collaborative research, UK research projects, grants and fellowships, and also details of news, resources and events.

This publication builds on current guidance, and highlights existing information and good practice for commissioners in primary care trusts and local authorities who have responsibility for commissioning services for adults with autistic spectrum disorders. It aim is to ensure that commissioners enable, empower and promote independence and meaningful choices for adults with autistic spectrum.

The Autism Toolbox for Scottish Schools is designed to support education authorities in the delivery of services and planning for children and young people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in Scotland, and will sit alongside existing local authority resources. It complements the guidance issued on Health and Social Care Services for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The intention is to provide a resource to support the inclusion of children and young people with autism spectrum disorder in mainstream education services.

Autism in Mind (AIM), based in England, provides support and information to parents, carers, young people and families living with autistic spectrum disorder, and aims to make a positive difference to the lives of families living with autism. It has set up several on-line support and information groups for parents and carers to access. The AIM DIET highlights the issues within Diagnosis – Intervention – Education and Training, needed to be addressed by the government.

Autism Initiatives UK is a charitable organisation established in 1972, providing support for individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their families in locations throughout the north of England, Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Ireland. It exists to enable persons with ASD "to be fully included, participating members of their community through advocacy, public awareness and education."

The Autism Education Trust (AET), launched in November 2007, continues to be funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. It is a collaboration between The National Autistic Society, TreeHouse and The Council for Disabled Children, and others working in the autism field in England.

Report reviewing the principles and evidence base of indicated prevention and identifying models of best practice for substance misuse prevention activities aimed at at-risk children in the EU.