For 15 years, Autism Independence has walked alongside autistic children, young people, adults, and their families – offering support that is culturally informed, compassionate, and rooted in lived experience.

What began in 2010 as one mother’s search for understanding has grown into a trusted organisation that has shaped research, influenced policy, and supported thousands of people across Bristol and beyond. Our work is built on relationships, respect, and the belief that every family deserves to be heard, understood, and supported.

Our 2010–2025 Impact Report tells this story.

How It Started

Autism Independence began with personal experience and a determination to break down cultural barriers around autism. When Nura Aabe’s son Zak was diagnosed, she found that many families – especially from global majority backgrounds – faced stigma, limited information, and unequal access to services.

Nura used her experience, studies, and training to support other families, building safe spaces where parents could share their stories, ask questions, and find community.
From these early groups, Autism Independence was born.

Growing Our Impact (2015–2025)

As the needs of families grew, so did our work.

Over the last decade we have:

Used creativity to change understanding

From the ACTA Theatre play Yusuf Can’t Talk to films viewed over 300,000 times, we’ve used storytelling to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and make autism information accessible to families and professionals.

Led nationally recognised research

Working with the University of Bristol, ARC West and other partners, we co-produced pioneering studies exploring autism within Somali and global majority communities. These findings have shaped policy, influenced Parliament, and highlighted the importance of culturally competent practice across education, health, and social care.

Supported families with practical, emotional and advocacy support

Our teams have helped parents navigate diagnosis, apply for EHCPs, challenge decisions, understand rights, and access services. We’ve sat in countless meetings, translated difficult information, and made sure no family feels alone.

Strengthened wellbeing and community belonging

From hot yoga sessions to coffee mornings and peer groups, we’ve created spaces for parents and carers to breathe, connect, and recharge.

Prepared young people for adulthood

Through our Transition to Adulthood Project, we’ve supported hundreds of young people to explore their interests, build confidence, and take steps towards education, work, and independence.

Improved access to healthcare

Our Health Navigator service helps families understand appointments, access annual health checks, and receive reasonable adjustments — ensuring people with learning disabilities and/or autism get the care they deserve.

Across all of our work, one belief remains unchanged: change happens when you listen deeply, act with compassion, and work side by side with families.

Our Approach

Everything we do is:

Community-led

Shaped by the voices, experiences and cultural knowledge of the families we support.

Culturally competent

We recognise how culture, language and migration shape a family’s autism journey — and we adapt our support accordingly. Evidence-based

Our work is strengthened by research, evaluation, and long-term partnerships with universities, health services and community organisations.

Relationship-driven

Trust takes time. We meet families where they are, listen without judgement, and support them fully.

Looking Ahead

We are proud of what we’ve achieved — but we know there is more to do.

Our future projects (2025–2030) will expand our work across:

• advocacy for children, young people and families
• cultural competence training across the South West
• transition support for 16–25 year olds
• community engagement and awareness projects
• health navigation and learning disability support
• new collaborations with universities and local services

With the support of our funders and partners, we will continue building a world where autistic people and their families are seen, heard and empowered.

We are excited to share our impact report with you:

Our Impact Report

We want to thank our funders for making this work possible.