Sebastian Noel

Autistic Nottingham

The Autistic Nottingham charity is an organization founded and run by Autistic adults without intellectual disabilities, with the goal of providing support and resources for this population. The charity's mission is to "go beyond the misconceptions of Autism Spectrum Conditions through advocacy, support, and connection." Their vision is to create a world where Autistic people can access all aspects of life as they wish, without the barriers of misconceptions or discrimination. The charity values Autacity, Tenacity, Positivity, Versatility, and Fellowship. They support Autistic Adults who do not have an Intellectual Disability, which includes those who may have previously been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome or High Functioning Autism. They aim to work with Autistic people who have been left behind or referred to services that do not meet their needs, as there is still a lot of misinformation around Autism and many people still classify it as an intellectual disability. One of the charity's main focuses is advocacy, which is defined as "taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need." Advocates are qualified, trained, and insured to do their job, and are also qualified in Autism Studies. They can support with completing benefit forms, benefit tribunals, making formal complaints, and meetings regarding reasonable adjustments, among other things. However, advocates cannot make decisions on behalf of clients, offer mental health support or counseling, or give advice. The charity also offers support for those seeking a diagnosis, as well as resources and information on various topics related to Autism. Overall, the Autistic Nottingham charity is dedicated to providing support and resources for Autistic Adults without Intellectual Disabilities, and working to break down misconceptions and discrimination towards this population.