Autism Plus is charity in England, United Kingdom. An Autism specialist charity, they offer support to adults and young people with autism
autistic
The autism spectrum, often referred to as just autism or in the context of a professional diagnosis autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC), is a neurodevelopmental condition (or conditions) characterized by difficulti ...
,
learning disabilities
Learning disability, learning disorder, or learning difficulty (British English) is a condition in the brain that causes difficulties comprehending or processing information and can be caused by several different factors. Given the "difficult ...
and mental health conditions.
Autism Plus support includes residential and supported living, adult learning, community outreach, employment support and social enterprises. Autism Plus is an autism specialist, but understanding many people with Autism often have another condition, they changed their name to recognise this, the 'Plus' in the name signifies they support people with autism and other complex conditions.
History
Autism Plus was started in 1986 by a group of parents with autistic children under the name of Thorne House Autistic Community. Thorne House initially provided services for a small number of young adults who were leaving
special schools
Special education (known as special-needs education, aided education, exceptional education, alternative provision, exceptional student education, special ed., SDC, or SPED) is the practice of educating students in a way that accommodates th ...
in the local area as no appropriate adult provision was available. Since then the charity has grown considerably and now provides a diversity of services throughout Yorkshire to many people affected by autism and related conditions.
In 2006 Thorne House Services for Autism changed its name to Autism Plus to reflect the wider range of disabilities of the people they support and to reflect the person centred, holistic approach of its services.
In 2006 Philip Bartey was appointed Chief Executive. With a background in marketing Philip has worked in the food and drink industry for Cadbury Schweppes, Harveys of Bristol the sherry and port shippers and other Allied Lyons group companies. He was also on the board of a family business in Hull, a non executive director of the Harvest Housing Group in Manchester and a founder Trustee of Cancer Bridge Ltd (later St Camillus) in Hexham that later merged with Maggies Centres. He was Chief Executive for Leonard Cheshire Services in Northumbria based in Newcastle during the early 1990s.
In April 2009
Norman Adsetts
Sir William Norman Adsetts (born 6 March 1931) is a British businessman. He joined firm SIG plc in 1966 and ran as managing director from 1970 to 1996.
Early years
Born in 1931, the son of Ernest Norman Adsetts, Adsetts was educated at King E ...
was appointed as Chairman.
In November 2011 Deputy Prime Minister
Nick Clegg
Sir Nicholas William Peter Clegg (born 7 January 1967) is a British media executive and former Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom who has been president for global affairs at Meta Platforms since 2022, having previously been vicep ...
attended a dinner held by Autism Plus at
The Cutlers Hall, Sheffield to talk about the 'Heart Attack' in the British Economy. He praised the work of Autism Plus and The Adsetts Partnership led by
Sir Norman Adsetts OBE for their commitment to partnership and to creating employment through the creation of social enterprise and open employment placements.
The Adsetts Partnership
Autism Plus are founder members of
The Adsetts Partnership. A number of medium-sized voluntary sector providers operating in the north of England which have come together under the umbrella The Adsetts Partnership to work collaboratively. Member organisations are drawn from a range of sectors - social care, health care, education, employment, BME.
Patrons
Simon Weston O.B.E. became patron of Autism Plus in 2010.
Earl and Countess of Scarbrough are also patrons of the Autism Plus Future Plus Appeal.
References
External links
Official siteCoping with CutsAutism Plus TreesRecycling help for Autism Plus
{{Pervasive developmental disorders
Autism-related organisations in the United Kingdom
Charities based in Sheffield
Charities for disabled people based in England