Parents of children with autism know better than anyone else what educational and public services their child needs. They also know the deficiencies of the system and the frustrations encountered while trying to obtain such services. Constructive Campaigning for Autism Services is an essential guide to effective campaigning for appropriate services for children with autism, written by PACE (The Parents' Autism Campaign for Education).

Based on the real-life experiences, dilemmas and questions of parents themselves involved in campaigning, this practical handbook explains how the system works both at local and national levels and provides invaluable information about local authority structures and government policy. The guide outlines different campaign methods and their effectiveness, and shows how parents can draw up a tailor-made plan for their position. It also shows that parents who have fought for services for their own child can use their experiences to improve provision for all children with autism.

This will be an essential handbook for all parents and others who are actively involved in campaigning for better autism services.

PACE was founded and run by parents of children with autism in 1998 and is now the Policy and Campaigns Team of TreeHouse, the national charity for autism education. PACE acts as a hub of advice, support and information on policy developments and the latest thinking in autism for families and professionals across the UK. Armorer Wason worked as consultant for PACE to research and write Constructive Campaigning for Autism Services and PACE's contribution to the autism section of the government's Early Support materials.

Foreword. Acknowledgements. 1. Introduction. 2. Preparatory work, or before you being. 3. The direct approach - working with key decision-makers. 4. External influences 5. Making an effective case. 6. When the local authority approaches you. 7. Common dilemmas faced by parent campaigners. 8. Local government - structures, people and processes. 9. Changes to children's services - policy and structures. 10. Conclusion. Appendix. References. Index.