Puzzle Centre Competitors

We are here to transform lives, change attitudes and create a society that works for autistic people.

With nearly fifty years experience we positively work alongside autistic people, their families and carers providing specialist services tailored to each individual. In a variety of locations throughout the UK and Ireland we offer a wide range of support for autistic people. From schools to supported living, from short break services to one stop shops, from work placements to training, clubs and activities. Autism Initiatives has a wealth of resources and expertise that support people with autism to achieve their personal goals. No two autistic people are the same and therefore no two jobs with us are the same. We recruit, train and promote the right people to support those living with autism. More than just a job, staff members have a true part to play in the lives of the people we support - helping them to live independently, enjoy a better quality of life and play an active role in their local community. Whether based in our offices or out in the community providing support, every person in the team has a part to play in ensuring the best possible services are delivered. --------- There is an ongoing debate over how people with a diagnosis of autism wish to refer to themselves and/or their diagnosis. The phrase ‘person with autism’ (person first) is used frequently in literature, but more recently, there has been a return to the use of the term ‘autistic person’ (or identity first), language. When talking to people, we will use the words preferred by the person to describe themselves. When we write, we will use both ‘person with autism’, ‘autistic person’ or 'person on the autistic spectrum'. We recognise that people can feel strongly about both terminology and language and we do not wish to cause any offence to anyone.

We are a leading charity providing services to adults and young people with autism, learning disabilities and mental health conditions. We were founded over three decades ago by a group of parents of adult children, all diagnosed with an autism spectrum condition. After reaching school leaving age they found there was no service to support their children through adulthood. Coming together they worked tirelessly to establish a provision that met the needs of their children. The group was able to secure the use of a Victorian house, in the market town of Thorne, near Doncaster in South Yorkshire to provide residential support; today Thorne House continues to be one of our main operating sites. We now provide support across the North of England. We feel very passionate and proud of the way Autism Plus has grown and supported people to achieve so many of their aspirations over the last three decades. In every part of our service we support people to take more control over their lives. We are a disability confident employer, which means we are committed to recruiting and retain disabled people and people with health conditions for their skills and talent.