The National Autistic Society

The National Autistic Society is a British charity for people with autistic spectrum disorders, founded and established in 1962 by a group of London-based parents.

History
Prior to the foundation of the charity, the first meeting took place at the home of Mrs. Edna O'Driscoll in north London. At the meeting, the decision was taken to form a charity to help support people affected by autism. It would be the first charity of its kind.

Initially called "The Society for Psychotic Children", the group soon opted for the more palatable "The Society for Autistic Children", because of the incorrect use of the word "psychotic" - "fortunately ... before we had gone very far or had any publicity on a national scale," recalls founding parent Helen Allison.

Association with Thomas the Tank Engine
It all started in 2001, as the television show gained its popularity with autistic children, especially as it was well known for the recognising of the facial expressions and colours of the engines. Since then, there were train walk events organised by the charity, along with specified merchandising from the charity including the key rings and zip pulls of Thomas characters.

On Sunday 7 March 2010, at Hamleys store in Regent Street, London, The National Autistic Society celebrated the event to make the longest Thomas cake train for the 65th anniversary of the franchise, as well as Hamleys' 250th anniversary. The charity had managed to raise £1,849.70, along with an additional 10% donation from Hamleys.

On Saturday 27 September 2014, an autism-family friendly 3k train walk event called 'All Aboard for Autism' took place outside Drayton Manor. A year later, 'All Aboard for Autism' was organised once again outside Drayton Manor on Saturday 26 September 2015 and raised over £22,000.