19/10/2026
This month marks one year since the launch of the Autistic Advisory Panel at Scottish Autism.
Over the coming weeks, we'll be looking back on how the Panel came to be, the foundations that shaped its development, the achievements identified by Panel members themselves and the priorities that will guide its future.
The story begins before the Panel was formally established. For many years, Scottish Autism has been committed to advancing autistic participation, voice and choice, exploring how autistic people can have a more meaningful role in decision-making and how governance can become more inclusive.
To support this work, we commissioned three Autistic Persons' Organisations (APOs) to review our approach and make recommendations for the future. Through extensive research, engagement with supported individuals and families, trustees, colleagues and the wider autistic community, an inclusive governance model was developed.
The resulting recommendations helped shape much of our work, including the creation of the Autistic Advisory Panel - a key step towards ensuring autistic voices are embedded in decision making across Scottish Autism.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making the Panel the meaningful and influential space it is today. We cannot wait to see what the Autistic Advisory Panel achieve in the year ahead.
