Real-life stories

Having an autistic member of the family affects everyone: parents, grandparents, siblings, children and extended family members. The pressure can be enormous in the struggle to navigate life in this new way.

The below stories are about the journeys of individuals - adults as well as children - following an autism diagnosis. By sharing these unique and personal experiences we hope to inform and inspire others.

Alexander's Story

By his mother, Anne Read more

Rover's story

By his father, Robert Read more

Luke's story

By his father, Andrew Read more

My Son

By his mother, Leda Read more

David's story

Told by himself, diagnosed as an adult Read more

William's story

By his mother, Lisa Read more

Latest

ART supports pioneering Autism Centre of Excellence

The Autism Centre of Excellence is ART's new venture. The ACE will be the UK’s first national clinical and research centre for autistic people, whose lived experience will inspire and lead researchers to innovate where it's most needed.

How does autism begin? A project to study brain development

Stem cell research has transformed the way we study autism. Researchers funded by ART have been pioneering a technique nicknamed the ‘brain in a dish’ approach, which involves growing cells in a laboratory to see how the brain develops in the first weeks of life.

Autism and mental health: what our research says

The more research we do, the clearer it becomes that mental health issues have a huge impact on autistic people. That’s why this year it has, once more, been a major focus for us.

2019: a year to shape our future

Last year was an exciting one for the Autism Research Trust. With your support, we’ve moved forward in so many ways. Find out about our achievements.

Are autistic people being misdiagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder?

A new study has shown that there is an overlap in the behaviour traits of people diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and Autism. Could this mean people are receiving the wrong diagnosis?

What is autism?

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability, that can affects people's ability to communicate and build relationships.

The Autism Research Trust

We fund research to understand the causes of autism, improve diagnosis and explore interventions to ensure that autistic people receive the best possible support.

Our Priorities

Our goal is to support research that can help understand the causes of autism, improve the diagnosis and explore interventions to ensure that autistic people receive the best possible support.

Vulnerabilty and Mental Health

The research aims to get a broad but detailed representation of types of vulnerability experienced by autistic children and adults, and documate those that may be risk factors for developing anxiety and depression.

Rover's story

By his father, Robert

The Autism Research Centre

At the cutting edge of autism research, the Centre is based in Cambridge and led by Professor Simon Baron-Cohen.

Meet the team

Bricks for Autism: LEGO-based therapy for children

Bricks for Autism is a social venture that aims at supporting children with communication and learning disabilities through a therapy of building LEGO models. And whilst helping children with autism develop key skills, it also helps funding vital research.

Investigating the role of NRXN1 in autism

This project looks to fill the gaps in our knowledge about the role of the Neurexin 1 gene in autism using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology.