Autism Innovation Strategy

Our role under the Autism Innovation Strategy

The National Disability Authority (NDA) is responsible for the implementation of 12 actions under the strategy and is supporting implementation of a further three. We also are part of the Steering Committee for the Strategy.

Actions we are leading on

The 12 actions we are leading on include:

Action 1: To inform the development of a national autism acceptance and understanding campaign, we will synthesise existing data on attitudes towards autistic people in Ireland. We will consult with autistic people to ensure that this exercise is reflective of their lived experience.

• Our Synthesis of existing data on current attitudes towards autistic people in Ireland was published in 2025.

Action 5: To promote improved understanding of autism across the public sector, we will introduce a new introductory e-learning module on disability equality. This will provide public sector employers and employees with the knowledge and skills to support autistic people and other people with disabilities in an effective, respectful and inclusive manner. This module will be co-designed with autistic people and other people with a disability and will be distributed widely across the public sector.

• Our E-learning module on disability equality training was launched in 2026 and can be accessed on this page

Action 6: To develop a coherent, neuro-affirmative approach to autism training in the public sector, we will coordinate the development of a good practice guidance document. This document will inform the provision of future autism training initiatives across the public sector and will be developed in consultation with the autistic community.

• Two guidance documents were developed

• • Our Good practice guidance for commissioners of disability training in the public sector was published in 2026.

• • Our Good practice guidance for commissioners of autism training in the public sector was published in 2026.

Action 12: To demonstrate that the needs of autistic people are an integral part of the design of the built environment, products, services, and information communication technologies, we will

• Develop and publish practical examples of how autistic people’s needs can be incorporated within the concept of Universal Design, and

• Ensure that the Code of Practice on Accessible Public Buildings and the Code of Practice on Accessibility of Public Services and Information provided by Public Bodies include consideration of the needs of autistic people.
• Work on this action is ongoing

Action 13: To provide a common terminology framework relating to autism across the public sector, we will review the National Disability Authority’s Advice Paper on Disability Language and Terminology. We will do this in consultation with autistic people to ensure that it reflects the preferences of the autistic community.

• Our updated Advice Paper on Disability Language and Terminology was published in 2026 .

Action 32: To enable employers to better support autistic employees in the workplace, we will review existing resources relating to autism-friendly workplaces. As part of this review, we will identify gaps in information and/or the need to update information. This will include guidance on accommodating people with sensory processing differences in open plan offices.

• We have completed this work and our Review of available resources to support employers to create autism-friendly workplace was published in 2025.

Action 57: To improve understanding of autistic people within the justice system, we will revise existing guidance for justice professionals on how to communicate with and support autistic people. We will do this in collaboration with autistic people.

• Our updated Guidance for justice professionals on effectively communicating with autistic people was published in 2025.

Action 79: To lay the groundwork for the collection of accurate data on autism, we will establish a focus group with autistic people to develop appropriate survey questions on autism.

• An Irish Disability Survey is planned by the Central Statistics Office for 2028. As part of the planning for this survey a sub-group to the steering group for the survey was established on autism and neurodevelopmental differences. This group, made up of Disabled Persons Organisation and other disability organisations advocating for autistic people and people with other developmental differences met several times in 2025. The meetings were co-chaired by the CSO and the NDA and the importance of good quality data and how to collect that data were discussed. This information was used by the CSO in developing the survey. You can read more about the planned survey here.

Action 80: To better understand existing data on autism in Ireland and methods of measuring the prevalence of autism, we will compile and analyse the strengths and weaknesses of existing datasets on autism in Ireland. We will do this in consultation with the autistic community and in line with the actions set out in the National Equality Data Strategy.

• Our paper Estimating autism prevalence in Ireland: Challenges and Opportunities was published in 2025.

Action 81: To improve our understanding of the key health challenges facing autistic people, and their associated impact on life expectancy, we will invest in research that informs policy and practice around appropriate health and social care services and supports for autistic people. This research will include a review of international literature and will be in line with the priorities of autistic people.

We planned to conduct/commission four literature reviews under this action

• Literature Review on Health Experiences and Disparities of LGBTQIA+ Autistic People – completed and published along with an animated video explaining the research findings.
• Literature Review on Autism, Ageing and Life Expectancy - completed and published.
• Literature Review on Autism and Reproductive Health – underway.
• Literature review on Autism and Eating Disorders – similar research identified in the UK. Engaging with the HSE to discuss developing a policy paper on autism and eating disorders relevant to the Irish context.

Action 82: To provide a robust evidence base for neuro-affirmative practice in supporting non-speaking and minimally speaking autistic people to access public services, we will commission research to examine best practice in providing public services to non-speaking or minimally speaking autistic people. This research will be co-designed with autistic people.

• Our Guidance to Support Not Speaking and Minimally Speaking People to Access Public Services was published in 2026. This page also includes a literature review that informed the guidance.

Action 83: To identify best practice in supporting families and young autistic people and other young people with disabilities who have high support needs, including mental health support needs, we will conduct collaborative research with autistic people and other people with disabilities.

This research is ongoing and due to be published in the first half of 2027. You can read more about the research here.