Towards Integration

Our name has been precisely chosen and consists of layers of meaning.

It reflects that the organisation is run primarily by autistic individuals. This indicates that it is organised the way an autistic psychology will tend to be organised. We intend on demonstrating that under the right conditions an autistic organisation is not necessarily inferior to a non-autistic organisation. We intend to provide ourselves as a model and demonstrate the "right conditions". We would also show that with certain types of support the autistic individual can function well in a group or organisation and ultimately in society.

Currently the phrase "autistic organisation" has negative connotations, denoting a struggling organisation and showing how this is due to its being structured like an autistic psychology. It refers to an organisation that is not communicating well, internally or externally. The analogy is fine but it obscures the full picture- the conditions that arise when an autistic structure is managed correctly and yet retains its autistic quality. Current usage of the phrase would seek to show that when an autistic structure is managed effectively it will cease to be an autistic structure. Furthermore, we would like to investigate into whether the profound (savant) ability that an autist is in some cases equipped with can be modelled into an organisation manifesting as profound (or gestalt) success. Therefore, our name also draws a parallel from biological "organisation", where gestalt success can be seen as the emergence of a coherent being from a collection of organs. It works because each organ has a specific role to play and is not forced into unsuitable roles. Similarly, autists may have profound skill in a given area but have "uneven skill distribution" meaning they are classed as disabled.

We must always focus on our disabilities in order to get our needs met and our abilities get ignored. The AO helps autists to find ways to channel their abilities back into the local community, sometimes working through the AO. We have helped autists to reach out into the local community and influence the way things are, increasing awareness and training levels, campaigning for changes in policy etc.

We welcome donations and anybody wishing to make one should contact us to discuss the possibility.