Together …

Advocating for all Autistic People

Advocating for Autistic people through systemic advocacy; fostering Autistic agency and empowering Autistic people with self advocacy skills; creating opportunities for participation and active citizenship; and celebrating Autistic voices, identity and our contribution to our world!
Autistic Self Advocacy Network Australia and New Zealand

For more than 20 years we, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network of Australia and New Zealand, have been the leading organisation for Autistic advocacy in Australia, and later New Zealand.

We emerged as one of the first, rights based, grassroots, systemic advocacy organisations in Australia. When we began there were very few organisations and initiatives including the voices of actually Autistic people, and very few making space for us to speak for ourselves. We are pleased that there are now so many wonderful advocates and organisations working to support the Autistic and autism communities in a multitude of neuroaffirming and Autistic-led ways. We are proud to continue to have a place in this community.

We are run by Autistic people, for Autistic people. We work to centre the voices of Autistic adults, with a specific focus on systemic advocacy and empowering our community with self-advocacy skills.

Nothing about us without us … and, stronger together!

Aboriginal flag
Torres Strait Islander flag
Maori Sovereignty Movement flag

We, ASAN AUNZ, respectfully acknowledge First Nations Peoples as traditional custodians of the lands, skies and waters where we live, learn, create and work. We acknowledge First Nations Peoples as the original and ongoing custodians and pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

Progress Pride flag

We, ASAN AUNZ, acknowledge the LGBTIQASB+ community and its significant intersection with Autistic and neurodivergent communities. We affirm everyone’s right to freely identify and acknowledge their sexual and/or romantic orientation, gender identity and neuroqueer expressions. We actively advocate for the rights of our queer community, contributing to a world that is free from discrimination. 

We have adopted the Australian specific acronym, that includes ‘SB’ to represent ‘Sistergirl’ and ‘Brotherboy’, importantly acknowledging our indigenous peoples queer communities.