31 March 2026
by Graham Martin
World Autism Acceptance Month starts as charity launches Holyrood campaign
Campaigners will come together to mark the start of World Autism Acceptance Month (WAAM) on Thursday, 2 April.
The event takes place every year to raise awareness of autism – and during April, hundreds of autistic people and families across Scotland will be walking 5k to celebrate WAAM, raise awareness and show solidarity with one another.
This year coincides with National Autistic Society Scotland’s Act Now for Autistic Rights campaign, which calls for urgent change ahead of the Holyrood election.
So far, almost 3,500 letters have been sent by autistic people and families calling on all party leaders to Act Now for Autistic Rights by committing to introduce the long overdue Learning Disability Autism and Neurodivergence Bill (LDAN).
Campaigners say it is clear that in education, diagnosis, healthcare and employment, autistic people are being denied rights and opportunities which should be available to them.
There has been a 768% increase in the number of pupils recorded as receiving Additional Support for Learning since 2004 while over 42,000 children were waiting for neurodevelopmental assessment, a figure which has increased by over 500% in some areas since 2020.
Meanwhile, autistic people have an estimated employment rate of 29%, compared with Scotland's national employment rate of 82.5% for non-disabled people and 50.7% for disabled people.
The Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill can make a genuine difference.
It would mean mandatory training in public services to ensure autistic people's needs are identified and met at the earliest opportunity, rather than only getting support once a crisis point is reached.
It would also see legally binding national and local strategies to bring together the planning and resources needed to tackle the backlog for assessment and diagnosis, as well as making sure services are properly signposted in our communities.
Rob Holland, director of National Autistic Society Scotland, said: "World Autism Acceptance Month is a time for everyone to get involved, raise awareness and celebrate autism acceptance, and so it couldn't come at a better time to join the calls for change as part of our Act Now for Autistic Rights campaign this election in May.
"Now is the time to get involved by urging party leaders to Act Now for Autistic Rights and introduce the LDAN Bill, and to spread the word to your friends and families too. This is our chance to ensure the next Scottish Parliament takes overdue action to ensure autistic people's rights are understood and respected. We cannot miss this opportunity".
Becca, NAS Scotland campaigner (pictured above), added: "I’ve spent my life feeling unsupported, invalidated and left out on account of my autism and I’ve known many who’ve felt the same. This has to change.
“The LDAN bill is urgent and will make a vital positive difference to many people, allowing us to lead fulfilling, purposeful and meaningful lives. It must come into effect as soon as possible".
"We need to act now for autistic rights" - TFN
The above information is from a Third Force News (TFN) Weekly Families & Young People roundup Thu 02/04/2026