In 2022, the National Autistic Society celebrated its 60th anniversary and had just been awarded funding by The National Lottery Heritage Fund for what would become the In our Words project.  

In a moment of serendipity, that same year, I received my official diagnosis. While an incredibly validating experience, one moment that stuck with me was the feeling that I was ‘newly autistic’. I’m sure others diagnosed later in life can relate to this, but it was wrong – I was always autistic. I entered a period of reflection and re-examining my history through an autistic lens. This commonality is what made the project really resonate with me because the project is also about looking back at the history of the charity and the personal stories of those who were involved. 

Listening to and being involved in the interviews has been a deeply intimate experience. These stories give first-hand accounts of how it felt to live through and push back against discrimination of the past and people’s hopes for the future of the charity and society as a whole. 

I’ve cried, laughed and learned so much – from the bottom of my heart, thank you to all those who have bravely shared their stories.  

To learn more about those before me and the evolving perception of autism has been a priceless experience, and more importantly, I don’t feel alone. There is a history that we all share, and those voices spoke to me – that I matter too, we all do. 
 

Preserving our legacy  

In the 1960s, autism as a diagnosis was in its infancy and considered rare. Families of autistic children were often told their children belonged in institutions, not schools. They were denied education, independence and the right to live ‘normal’ lives.  
The National Autistic Society has spent over 60 years fighting for autistic people’s rights. But in recent years, much of our history was at risk of being lost. The original founding families, many of whom are no longer with us, held powerful stories of determination, courage, community and advocacy that needed to be preserved for future generations.

That’s why we decided to act. 

We knew we had to capture this history before it disappeared – not just to look back but to move forward and create a safe space for reflection and recognition for all.

This archive is not just a digital collection of documents and photos – it was about amplifying voices that have been marginalised and creating space for the stories of people who were often left out of the official record. It’s a living tribute to the people who have made our work possible.
 

Honouring history: a foundation for the future 

Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. In our Words has been made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to bring our archive to life through recorded oral history interviews with key figures in the charity’s history. These include stories from autistic individuals, family members, staff and professionals – preserving decades of experience in their own words.

These personal reflections capture the life experiences of autistic individuals and their families, as well as the pivotal moments of the charity through the memories of the professionals involved. These deeply personal recordings reveal what life was like at these times and their individual journeys. 

We are incredibly fortunate to have interviews with some of the original founders and their families, including Michael Baron, Miles Allison and James Tomlinson. They share the motivations behind establishing the charity and recount the unique and unconventional methods used to raise funds to open the first school and adult residential home. A personal highlight is the poignant 90-minute interview with the late author of NeuroTribes, Steve Silberman, recorded shortly before his passing. 
 

Autistic people leading the way

Working collaboratively with autistic creatives, we have created a four-episode film and podcast that delves into specific issues for autistic individuals, including campaigning, the importance of the autistic voice, family support, diagnosis and more.  

From the steering group that included autistic people who helped direct the project to our group of volunteers and those who took part in interviews, their involvement shaped every stage of the archive.  

Our team of volunteers were invaluable, and this project would not have been possible without them. It really cannot be put into words the level of care and time they have devoted to this project across interviewing, transcribing, audio editing and content uploading.    

Working alongside the volunteers was an absolute joy – their energy, kindness and curiosity were infectious. Watching people grow in confidence, gain new skills and connect with a cause so passionately was incredibly moving. 
 

Explore our story 

Through an interactive timeline, the archive is carefully curated to detail key events from over the last 60 years and holds over 1,000 digitised items, including original photos, campaign documents, correspondence and reflective reports.  

Whether you’ve been with us for decades or just discovered us today, we hope it brings connection, inspiration and pride.  

We invite you to explore our history and visit In our Words.


 

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.