Why We Started
Thrive Autism was founded in 2024 by Colin Lang MBE and a team of dedicated associates who recognised a pressing need for better support for autistic children and young people in Norfolk and Waveney. Too many families face years of waiting for assessments, limited access to therapies, and a lack of inclusive spaces where their children can feel safe, understood, and celebrated.
We started this charity to change that. Our goal is to provide immediate, practical support for families while working towards the creation of Norfolk’s first dedicated Autism Centre, a place where young people can thrive, and families can find the community and guidance they deserve.
Why Thrive Autism?
The Need
The challenges facing autistic children and their families are significant:
- Long waiting times – Families in Norfolk often wait up to three years for an autism assessment, compared with just two months at some specialist centres.
- Limited support in schools – 7 in 10 parents say their child’s school place does not meet their needs, leaving children struggling without the right environment to learn and grow.
- Mental health impact – Autistic people are three times more likely to leave healthcare appointments without the help they need, and they face higher risks of isolation and poor mental health.
- Employment barriers – Only 3 in 10 autistic adults are in work, compared with over half of disabled people more widely — the lowest employment rate of any disability group.
Why We’re Different
Thrive Autism exists to meet these challenges head-on. Our approach combines:
- Immediate practical help – from therapy sessions and respite breaks to advice and funding support on EHCP and DLA applications.
- Community building – creating welcoming spaces where families can share experiences, receive guidance, and feel less alone.
- A long-term vision – to establish Norfolk’s first state-of-the-art Autism Centre, providing sensory rooms, therapy spaces, play areas, and a hub of expertise for families.
Why Now?
The need has never been greater.
With waiting lists growing, families under pressure, and gaps in education and healthcare, we believe the time to act is now. Thrive Autism is ready to deliver support today, while building a future of inclusivity, opportunity, and celebration for every autistic child and young person in Norfolk.
That’s why Thrive Autism exists, to bridge the gap, to stand with families, and to ensure no child is left without the chance to thrive.