15/01/2026
The Scottish election feels like a long way off but we have started to see several large organisations/charities issue their own manifesto's. Well done them, full of great aspirations and ambitions but will they actually make a difference?
So, what would a simple manifesto for autism look like? Practical, affordable, light on jargon. Here you go:
The Autism Network – A manifesto for actual change (2026)
Autistic people in Scotland don’t need more reviews, consultations, or slogans.
It needs practical change, delivered simply, locally, and now.
This manifesto commits to four things we know will work and can be funded:
1. Fix the diagnosis crisis
We can de-medicalise autism diagnosis, shifting it from a deficit-based medical model. It’s about how we frame autism, not tinkering with existing systems.
2. Make Autism Understanding Everyone’s Job
Launch a national autism understanding campaign. Better understanding across society will make the biggest difference to the most people.
3. Fix Education
Autistic children are being denied their right to education because schools aren’t designed for them. The problem is not education, the problem is the environment and attitudes.
4. Fund What Actually Works
Too much autism funding disappears into: professional talking shops, endless meetings, large organisations sustaining themselves. Redirect funding to: small and local groups, creative, flexible, community-based support and organisations that respond quickly and innovatively.
In Short: No more noise. No more delay. Four actions. Real change. Scotland in 2026.
