Cardiff and Swansea research suggests autism charities portray autistic people as ‘helpless’

New research at the University of Cardiff and Swansea University suggests that some autism charities portray autistic people as “helpless” and a “burden”.

The study, reported in The Conversation, identified the largest autism charities in England and Wales. Data from the Charity Commission was used to determine organisations with incomes of at least £10 million that provide support only to autistic adults, children, or both.

Reports and accounts were downloaded for the 11 charities that met this criterion.

Critical Autism Studies, a system which challenges stereotypes and views autism as a difference rather than a disorder, was used by researchers to evaluate how the charities depicted autistic people.

According to the study, this methodology suggested that autistic individuals are commonly portrayed “as problems, as challenging, and as a burden.” The stereotypes are said to uphold and reinforce a narrative that such people are needy and infantile.

The researchers say every charity portrayed autistic people as needing to change and reinforced the view that autistic people ought to be more communicative and resilient. 

Why do these findings matter?

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The research showed how autism charities provide essential services, often speaking on behalf of autistic people and shaping how neurotypical individuals understand “what it means to be autistic.”

Because these organisations often act as key advisors in policy discussions and represent autistic people in public discourse, the researchers say their messaging can significantly influence societal attitudes and government decisions.

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They warn that portraying autistic people as dependent risks perpetuating the “non-disabled saviour” trope – a dynamic in which non-autistic people are seen as heroic helpers, whilst autistic people are framed as passive recipients of care.

Although the report acknowledges that charities provide vital services, it argues that current funding and policy decisions remain “arbitrary and inconsistent”, creating barriers to effective support.

What do the researchers suggest?

To mitigate this, the researchers propose a restructuring of how autism charities and governments design and fund services.

Those involved in the study hope the findings encourage autism charities to reevaluate how they describe the community they serve. 

This cannot be done, they believe, without the integration of autistic representation at every level of charity leadership, which can shape the operations and communication of organisations. 

The National Autistic Society, Autism Alliance, Autism Together and Autistica were contacted for comment.

The Home Office declined a request for comment.

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