The National Autistic Society

The National Autistic Society is a British charity for people affected by autism disabilities, foundered and established in 1962 by a group of London-based parents.

History
Prior to the foundation of the charity, the first meeting took place at the home of Mrs Edna O'Driscoll in north London. At the meeting, the decision was taken to form a charity to help support people affected by autism. It would be the first charity of its kind.

Initially called 'The Society for Psychotic Children', the group soon opted for the more palatable 'The Society for Autistic Children', because of the negative associations of the word 'psychotic' - "fortunately ... before we had gone very far or had any publicity on a national scale," recalls founding parent Helen Allison.

Association with Thomas the Tank Engine
It all started in 2001, as the television show gained it's popularity with autistic children, especially it was well known for recognising the facial expressions and colours of the engines. Since then, there were train walk events organised by the charity, specified merchandising from the charity including the key rings of Thomas characters.

In September 2014, an autism-family friendly train walk event called 'All Aboard for Autism' took place outside Drayton Manor.