Scotland’s leading autism charity, Scottish Autism, has launched its manifesto, entitled Seizing the Moment, with a series of asks for Scotland’s political parties ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election. 

The manifesto contains five asks: 

1. Commit to delivering the Learning Disabilities, Autism & Neurodivergence Bill 
2. Introduce a National Neurodevelopmental Pathway Guarantee 
3. Improve support for autistic learners and an end to informal exclusions in education 
4. Deliver a reformed social care sector where specialism is recognised, third-sector providers are valued and the workforce is appropriately rewarded 
5. End the categorisation of autism as a mental disorder within the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 

The manifesto has been developed through listening to the priorities of autistic people and their families who use Scottish Autism’s services and contact the organisation’s nationwide advice line. 
 

Commenting on the manifesto, Scottish Autism’s CEO, Dorry McLaughlin, said: 

“We believe that the current session of the Scottish Parliament has been one where opportunities were missed and we are asking all of Scotland’s political parties to sign up to our asks to deliver meaningful change for autistic people after the next election. 

“The Learning Disabilities, Autism & Neurodivergence Bill can bring about a shift in how public services view and support autistic people, but it needs to be committed to by Scotland’s politicians to ensure that it is introduced. 

“We hear all the time about the struggles people are facing with waiting times for autism assessments, and in some areas there is no opportunity to access an assessment at all. We want to see a guarantee of assessment for those who require it, with the appropriate support put in place during the assessment journey. 

“The continued use of informal exclusions in education needs to end, and we hope that the next Scottish Government will address this practice which disproportionately impacts young autistic learners. We must also see teachers receive the support they need to develop their understanding and practice to support autistic pupils. 

“Our social care workforce needs to be valued appropriately. We cannot continue with a system that pays the lowest wages to people who are delivering critical support to individuals across Scotland. After the disappointment of the National Care Service Bill collapsing, we ask for genuine reform in the sector. 

“Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference, not a mental disorder, but it remains classified as such in law. We hope the next phase of mental health law reform will see this addressed and we have asked for politicians to commit to this. 

“These five asks can be a critical catalyst for change, helping to turn around the poor outcomes experienced by too many autistic people across their whole lives. We hope that Scotland’s politicians will rise to the challenge and seize the moment.” 

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