Nominations open for 2019 Autism Professionals Awards

The National Autistic Society has opened nominations for the seventh annual Autism Professionals Awards – and wants to hear about the people and organisations making a difference to autistic people and their families across the country.

These awards were set up to recognise inspirational people, services and projects, in an effort to increase public understanding of autism and inspire other people and organisations to make a difference too. There are 12 awards for individuals and organisations, covering education, health, social care, employment, and volunteering. The deadline for nominations is 26 October.

The awards will be judged by an independent panel of autism specialists, based on each candidate’s innovation, creativity, impact and sustainability. Finalists will be announced in January, ahead of an awards ceremony for the winners on 7 March 2019 in Birmingham.

There are around 700,000 autistic people in the UK. Being autistic means someone sees, hears and feels in a different, often more intense way to other people, which can make the world a very overwhelming place.

Every autistic person is different and many people also have a learning disability, mental health problems or other conditions. With understanding and tailored support, autistic people can live full and rewarding lives – whether in education, work or living as independently as possible.

The 2018 award winners included author and journalist Laura James. She was given the Outstanding Achievement by an Individual on the Autism Spectrum, in recognition of her work improving public understanding of autism. Mandy Garford was named Most Inspirational Volunteer for the huge amount of work she does supporting autistic people and families in her role as the Chair of the volunteer-run Dartford and Gravesham Branch of the National Autistic Society.

Adele Beeson, who was recently diagnosed as autistic herself, won the Individual Education Professional award, for her outstanding work with students on the autism spectrum at universities in Leeds and Sheffield. Ashley High School in Cheshire, the University of Lincoln’s Student Wellbeing Team and Gloucestershire County Council’s IMPACT service were recognised for best education provision. And Penelope Clark, a community liaison nurse in Shetland, was named Outstanding Healthcare Professional.

Carol Povey, Director of the National Autistic Society’s Centre for Autism, said: “We are looking for people and organisations who’ve done something amazing for autistic people and their families.

“It could be a teacher who has helped a child achieve something great, an autistic adult who has been campaigning tirelessly or a business that has put a lot of effort into making their workplace accessible.

“If you know a person or organisation like this, please nominate them for our seventh annual Autism Professionals Awards.

“We know that support and services in the UK are still far too patchy. We hope that highlighting positive stories will increase public understanding of autism and inspire other people and organisations to make a difference too.”

Nominations close on Friday 26 October 2018.

To find out more about the 2019 Autism Professionals Awards or to nominate, please visit:
www.autismprofessionalsawards.org.uk/

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