Our Origin Story …

When we Began there were Just a few of Us

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!

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 a rights based, grassroots, systemic advocacy group which centred the voices of Autistic adults.

At the centre of the Autistic rights movement in Australia, we began with discussions on existing IRC (Internet Relay Chat) channels between several Autistic advocates, notably Tony Langdon, Geraldine Robertson and Katharine Annear. Connecting further at the 2002 World Autism Congress in Melbourne led our advocates to form the Australian Autistic Network for Self Advocates (ANSA).
Meeting with ASAN USA's Ari Ne'eman, 2013. Katharine second from left. Tony third from left.
Meeting with ASAN USA's Ari Ne'eman, 2013. Katharine second from left. Tony third from left.

In 2008, Katharine contacted Ari Ne’eman, who founded The Autistic Self Advocacy Network in the USA (ASAN USA), and the decision was made to affiliate with ASAN USA. Katharine was then able to negotiate funding for members of the ANSA committee to attend the Asia Pacific Autism Conference (APAC) 2013 in Adelaide, and to meet with Ari from ASAN USA. From there, ANSA evolved into ASAN AUNZ and became an incorporated advocacy association.

ASAN AUNZ Board members protesting at march in March, 2014.
ASAN AUNZ Board members protesting at march in March, 2014.
Meeting with Penny Robinson from I Can Network, 2015.
Meeting with Penny Robinson from I Can Network, 2015.
Since its formation, ASAN AUNZ members have been actively involved in systemic advocacy in Australia and New Zealand. Centering Autistic voices and lived experience, ASAN AUNZ, advocated for improved community awareness and acceptance through shared stories and systemic advocacy.
Meeting with Autism CRC executive, 2015. Katharine Annear second from right. Geraldine Robertson last on right.
Meeting with Autism CRC executive, 2015. Katharine Annear second from right. Geraldine Robertson last on right.

ASAN AUNZ members have contributed to and advised on various state and national autistic programs in addition to being involved with government advisory bodies. Our founding members, particularly Katherine Annear, have been central figures in the Australian Autistic advocacy movement, working with local and national government bodies on systemic advocacy for our community. Other key ASAN AUNZ past and current members have had pivotal roles in our organisation including past team member Tammy McGowan, past board member Jarad Andrew McLoughlin, past chair Joanne Dacombe and past treasurer Leeann Friday.

ASAN AUNZ Board and User-Led Design Group met with Emily Bourke - Labor MLC to discuss the South Australian Autism Strategy, 2022.
ASAN AUNZ Board and User-Led Design Group met with Emily Bourke - Labor MLC to discuss the South Australian Autism Strategy, 2022.
As we move into a new chapter, with new custodians, we continue to support our community through systemic advocacy, empowering our community with self advocacy skills, facilitating focus groups and autistic research groups, and by collaborating with other disability justice led organisations.
Katharine Annear pictured with Alliance co-chair Jenny Karavolas and Senator Jordon Steele-John at the Australian Autism Alliance, 2023.
Katharine Annear pictured with Alliance co-chair Jenny Karavolas and Senator Jordon Steele-John at the Australian Autism Alliance, 2023.
SA Parliament House lit up to celebrate the diversity of the autistic and autism communities to celebrate World Autism Day, 2023.
SA Parliament House lit up to celebrate the diversity of the autistic and autism communities to celebrate World Autism Day, 2023.

Building on the work of our founders, we continue to be run by Autistic people, for Autistic people. Aligning with the disability rights and neurodiversity movements and continuing ASAN AUNZ’s legacy, we work from these powerful, stated intentions …

Nothing about us without us …

and, stronger together!