As SEND families, we are used to navigating a world that wasn’t built for our children. From endless EHCP delays to long CAMHS waiting lists, it can feel like we’re constantly fighting – for understanding, support, and dignity. Now, with the dust still settling from the recent by-elections and local elections, we’re watching the political landscape shift in real time. An insurgent Reform UK is celebrating a series of historic victories winning its first by-election, securing two mayoral posts, and taking control of several councils across England. It’s clear that change is coming. But as political momentum swings and parties re-evaluate their platforms, many of us are asking: What does any of this mean for families like ours? We’ve taken a closer look at the UK’s major political parties and their current positions on autism and disability. What we found raises real questions about who is advocating for our children – and who is not.
Labour and Neurodivergence: Reform Talk Without the Detail?
Labour’s 2024 manifesto speaks the language of reform – but are the promises enough for autistic people and SEND families?
The party pledges to overhaul the Mental Health Act and address health inequalities, including for neurodivergent individuals. It talks about strengthening support for disabled people and fixing the broken SEND system. On the surface, that sounds promising.
But look closer, and key details are missing.
The manifesto doesn’t mention autism or neurodivergence at all. For families who’ve waited months (or years) for diagnoses, fought for EHCPs, or faced inaccessible services, that silence is hard to ignore. In previous years, Labour has made stronger commitments on disability rights – this time, many of those have quietly disappeared.
For SEND families, early intervention and tailored support are everything. Labour says it will improve access in schools and communities and reduce the EHCP backlog. But there’s no clear plan for cutting waiting times, funding autism-specific services, or guaranteeing protections against SEND budget cuts.
That leaves families in a familiar position: cautiously optimistic, but deeply wary.
It’s especially disappointing given Labour’s proud history of leading on disability rights. In particular, figures like Manchester MP Alf Morris, who in 1970 introduced the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act – the first law in the world to formally recognise and protect the rights of disabled people. In 1974, he became the first-ever Minister for the Disabled anywhere in the world. Later, he introduced a Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill in 1991 and campaigned tirelessly for those affected by Gulf War Syndrome. His legacy still resonates with many disabled activists and families today.
Yet, that bold leadership seems to be missing from Labour’s current platform.
Interestingly, Neurodivergent Labour, an affiliated group within the party, has developed a detailed Autism and Neurodiversity Manifesto. It calls for practical, meaningful reforms – including recognising neurodivergence as a protected characteristic under the Equality Act, expanding diagnostic access, and embedding inclusion into education and employment. It’s built on lived experience and shaped by those who know the challenges firsthand.
But crucially: Labour hasn’t adopted it.
So while the party acknowledges the need for change, its official manifesto still falls short of the clarity, urgency, and vision that many autistic people and SEND families are looking for.
Conservatives: The Deafening Silence
The Conservative Party’s 2024 general election manifesto does not explicitly mention “autism” or “neurodivergence.” While the manifesto outlines various policies on healthcare, education, and welfare reform, it lacks specific commitments or proposals directly addressing the needs of autistic or neurodivergent individuals.
The Conservative manifesto is striking in its absence of new ideas for disabled people. No fresh commitments. No bold proposals. Just a continuation of a system many families already feel is crumbling. But beyond silence, there are statements that cut deeper. Kemi Badenoch’s comments – suggesting accommodations for autistic people are burdensome – and the content of the recent ‘Conservatism in Crisis’ pamphlet are not only offensive to autistic people, but also detached from reality. They reveal a fundamental lack of understanding of autism and disability. These remarks have drawn significant criticism from disability advocates and fellow politicians. For instance, former justice secretary Robert Buckland labelled the comments as “stigmatising” and highlighted a conflation between autism, a developmental condition, and mental health issues like anxiety.
When leaders frame inclusion as a problem and imply that neurodivergent people are an economic liability, it doesn’t just hurt feelings – it reinforces systemic barriers. These ideas seep into policy decisions, school environments, and medical systems that many families are already struggling to navigate. Trust, once lost, is hard to regain.
Liberal Democrats: A Voice for Young Minds
The Liberal Democrats present a comprehensive mental health platform, pledging regular check-ups, expanded youth hubs, and support through the challenging transition to adult services – a critical juncture for many autistic individuals. Their manifesto includes commitments such as establishing mental health hubs for young people in every community, introducing regular mental health check-ups at key life stages, and extending young people’s mental health services up to the age of 25 to address the drop-off experienced during the transition to adult services.
However, while these initiatives are promising, autism-specific commitments are limited. The manifesto does not detail targeted strategies for autistic individuals, raising questions about whether SEND families will be adequately prioritised or left to navigate within broader reforms.
Party leader Ed Davey brings a deeply personal perspective to these issues. His wife, Emily, lives with multiple sclerosis, and their teenage son, John, has severe special needs. Their family’s experiences have influenced the Liberal Democrats’ 2024 manifesto, which promises to end inappropriate inpatient placements for autistic people, enhance neurodiversity support in schools and workplaces, and strengthen carers’ rights. The focus on early intervention, inclusive education, and accessible services reflects the day-to-day realities faced by families like the Davey’s – and many others across the UK.
Green Party: A Rights-Based Vision for SEND Families
The Green Party offers a hopeful and inclusive vision – one that many SEND families may find refreshing. With strong commitments to disability rights and public services, their 2024 manifesto embraces a progressive, rights-based approach to supporting children and adults with special educational needs and disabilities.
While autism and neurodivergence aren’t mentioned by name, many of their pledges speak directly to the challenges SEND families face. In education, the Greens promise better support within mainstream schools for neurodivergent children, as well as free transport for 16–18-year-olds with SEND – a practical step that could ease the transition into further education or training.
Mental health support is also a key focus. The Green Party pledges increased funding to bring mental health services in line with physical healthcare. This includes guaranteed access to evidence-based therapies within 28 days and the placement of trained, paid counsellors in every school and sixth-form college. For many families battling long waits and inadequate support, this would be a game changer.
The party also supports incorporating the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into UK law. Although not explicitly mentioned in their manifesto, this commitment would mark a significant shift towards embedding equality and inclusion into daily life for disabled people, including those who are autistic or otherwise neurodivergent.
Despite their smaller presence in Parliament, the Green Party’s policies reflect a compassionate and inclusive approach that resonates with many in the SEND community. For some, they represent a hopeful alternative rooted in dignity, rights, and care. For others, questions may remain about their political influence – but their message is clear: inclusion should never be optional.
Reform UK: A Dangerous Retreat
Reform UK’s 2024 manifesto, Our Contract with You, makes no mention of “autism” or “neurodivergence.” For many SEND families and autistic individuals, this silence is telling – and troubling. The manifesto includes only two brief references to disability, and offers no clear commitments or policies to support the needs of neurodivergent people. This lack of visibility speaks volumes, especially at a time when families are calling for urgent reform and investment in special educational needs and disability (SEND) services.
More concerning still are comments made by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage earlier this year. In April 2025, Farage claimed that conditions such as autism and ADHD are being “massively overdiagnosed,” particularly through virtual consultations. These remarks – widely condemned by the National Autistic Society and mental health charities – sparked outrage among SEND advocates who saw them as dismissive, inaccurate, and deeply stigmatising. Such statements reinforce harmful stereotypes and ignore the daily realities faced by neurodivergent people and their families.
There are also fears that a Reform UK government could bring cuts to vital SEND services. The Liberal Democrats have accused the party of planning to reduce funding for special educational needs at the local council level. Farage’s comments have only intensified these concerns, raising questions about the party’s commitment to supporting disabled children and young people. The manifesto’s broader proposals – such as sweeping cuts to public spending and social security – have alarmed disability rights organisations, who warn they could put vulnerable families at greater risk.
For SEND families and the autistic community, the message from Reform UK appears clear: your needs are not a priority. At a time when the system is already under immense pressure, the absence of meaningful policy – and the presence of dismissive rhetoric – may feel like a step backwards in the fight for inclusion, support, and respect.
What Now?
SEND families are not a fringe group – we are millions strong. And yet, in 2025, few parties appear to be listening deeply to our reality.
So as you prepare to vote, ask yourself:
- Who will cut waiting times for autism assessments?
- Who will stop the EHCP crisis?
- Who believes your child has the same right to thrive as any other?
Autism policy isn’t just about healthcare. It’s about education, employment, housing – human dignity.
The decisions made in Westminster ripple into every school corridor, GP waiting room, and council office. Your vote is your voice. Use it loudly.
We Want to Hear from You
Are you a SEND parent or carer? Share your thoughts in the comments:
- Which party do you trust (if any)?
- What policies matter most to your family this election?
