Autism Acceptance Month 2025

Autism, and neurodiversity more generally, is a lifelong developmental condition that affects how people sense, interpret, and communicate with the world around them. If you’ve heard of autism, you’ll likely have heard it is a spectrum, meaning it affects people differently and to different degrees. More than 1 in 100 people have autism in the UK, meaning you probably have an autistic friend, family member, or colleague, if you don’t have it yourself.

People with autism have strengths and weaknesses, as do we all. Unfortunately, although we are slowly catching up, we are not as accepting of these weaknesses as we should be, with saddening results. The National Autistic Society reports that 8/10 autistic people experience mental health issues, and only 30% of autistic people are in any kind of employment. These are obviously very troubling statistics. People with autism are struggling more than they need to be. Having autism does not by any means have to be a barrier to contributing positively to society, and it is not right that certain people are not given the opportunity to do so. We all experience the world differently, and we all have something to offer – not in spite of our differences, but because of them.

Autism Acceptance month is an opportunity for everyone to come together and raise awareness, foster acceptance, and create a society where autistic people are supported, understood, and empowered. Law firms play an important role in improving on this: Our clients with autism may find it especially difficult to understand a legal process that was not necessarily designed for them. We must therefore find ways to communicate with all our clients, and especially those who are autistic and/or neurodiverse, so that they feel their interests are properly represented. We must be mindful of how people process information and be patient if what we say is not understood straight away. We must be aware of the time it might take to get our message across effectively, and allow our clients to take breaks if needed. If these things do not come naturally to you or you’d like to know more, there are plenty of resources and training available. Some examples include:

Family Justice Council Guidance on Neurodiversity in the Family Justice System for Practitioners

Autism – NHS

National Autistic Society

Understanding Autism – Free Online Autistic Course – FutureLearn by the University of Kent

This also applies to our colleagues. Making reasonable adjustments for those learning or practicing law or those in support roles should not be seen as a hassle or a cost, but as a way to make sure we can all contribute to the legal sector to our fullest extent. The Legal Neurodiversity Network Recommendations for optimising retention and career progression for neurodivergent individuals in the legal profession is a useful guide for law firms in this area. We have work to do, but things like Autism Awareness Month show us that it is worthwhile. We at Walker Family Law are committed to making the world a better place for neurodiversity.