Therapeutic theory about autism was in the main created by non-autistic people but has influenced what support is offered. Most services have been designed by non-autistic people. Furthermore, therapists train in programmes with extremely limited attention to autism let alone wider neurodiversities. In traditional professional narratives, autism is often understood as a disability, a deficit or disorder within a person. The autistic person is not always seen as able, contributing and living an intersectional life with many parts to themselves.

The papers in this issue discuss examples of how services have developed that draw on the experience, expertise and leadership of autistic people. Writers re-imagine theory and practice to inform future service design. 

Most of these papers were initially shared at the 4th Autism and Systemic Practice Conference held online in July 2023. The questions addressed by conference participants included:

• What theories do therapists need to work with autistic people - when autistic people can be so different from each other?
• Which systemic ideas about context and identity could be useful?
• How should and could autistic people influence training programmes and service design?