Thousands of autistic pupils benefit from pioneering mental health programme as it celebrates one-year milestone

One year after launch, a pioneering programme designed to help autistic young people improve their mental health and understand themselves, is continuing to make a big impact.

The Autistic and OK programme is an educational toolkit launched by national charity Ambitious about Autism, Zurich UK and the Z Zurich Foundation. In just one year, the programme has reached almost 1,000 schools and is estimated to have provided supported to more than 17,000 autistic young people.

The programme, which became available in the UK at the end of February 2024, was created to empower autistic young people to take control of their mental health before reaching crisis point.

Mental health problems are prevalent among autistic young people, with four in five experiencing conditions such as depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Autistic and OK was developed with the support of a group of autistic youth advisors from the charity’s Ambitious Youth Network, who helped design the programme’s modules which focus on these conditions, as well as the associated topic of bullying.

The free toolkit provides resources for older autistic pupils, who run peer-lead sessions for their younger autistic peers. It also includes an assembly pack and training module for school staff, to help foster acceptance among the whole school community. As a result, it is estimated that over 800,000 young people – including many non-autistic pupils - have increased their understanding of their autistic peers in schools across the UK.

Following the success of the programme in mainstream secondary schools, the toolkit has now been adapted so it can be delivered in specialist secondary schools and youth groups, meaning it will reach even more autistic young people, their peers, parents, and professionals.

Lily, aged 18, who helped develop the programme and run it in her own school, said: “Seeing how beneficial the Autistic and OK programme has been to the other autistic pupils at my school has been amazing. It has had a really positive impact on their experience of school, and on how they cope in their everyday lives.”

Poppy, aged 18, a pupil who has taken part in the programme in her secondary school, said: “The Autistic and OK programme has helped me and my friends find out more about ourselves and feel more comfortable with who we are. Since taking part, we are more confident in asking for support when we need it.”

Jolanta Lasota, Chief Executive of Ambitious about Autism, said: “Nearly one thousand schools across the UK have engaged with Autistic and OK in the last 12 months, showing the real appetite and need for a programme that supports autistic pupils to understand themselves and feel okay in education.

“It is a testament to the brilliant work of the autistic young people who developed the programme - channeling their own experiences into a positive and impactful resource.

“Now, with the adapted resources for special schools and youth groups, we hope to reach even more autistic young people, offering them vital support that will enable them to thrive.”

Gary Shaughnessy, Chair of Z Zurich Foundation, said: “These formative years at school should offer every child the opportunity to thrive, not just survive. This toolkit not only helps autistic young people, it also educates everyone around them about the challenges they face on a day-to day-basis. It’s this education that will destigmatise autism in schools.

“Giving these young people the right support during these school years can serve to avoid many of the challenges that they could go on to face at university or in the workplace.” 

For more information about Autistic and OK and Ambitious about Autism, visit ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk.

Notes to editors

The Autistic and OK programme

The free Autistic and OK programme aims to increase understanding and acceptance of autistic young people.

Autistic and OK is run through a series of toolkit resources, which have been developed alongside autistic advisors from the Ambitious Youth Network. The free, downloadable toolkit is available to UK mainstream secondary schools, special schools and youth groups.

Ambitious about Autism

Ambitious about Autism is the national charity standing with autistic children and young people. We believe every autistic child and young person has the right to be themselves and realise their ambitions. We started as one school and have become a movement for change. We champion rights, campaign for change and create opportunities.

Z Zurich Foundation

At the Z Zurich Foundation, we believe in a world where young people have the tools and resources to improve their mental wellbeing. Throughout the various projects we support, we aim to create a mental wellbeing movement that is helping young people see their feelings for what they are, so they can prevent stress from developing into anxiety.

The Z Zurich Foundation works alongside Zurich Insurance Group employees and other stakeholders as well as with governments and NGOs in pursuit of a future where people can thrive in the face of increasing climate hazards, where those of us feeling the stresses of life are empowered to speak up, and where the marginalized in our society can reach their full potential.

The Z Zurich Foundation is a Swiss-based charitable foundation established by members of the Zurich Insurance Group. It is the main vehicle by which Zurich Insurance Group delivers on its global community investment strategy.

Visit the Z Zurich Foundation’s website to learn more about its work: https://zurich.foundation

Follow the Z Zurich Foundation on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.