From our first meeting of parents and Helen Allison's appearance on the BBC's Women's Hour, to the opening of our first school and the passing of the Autism Act, we're excited to have been making a difference for 50 years.;xNLx;;xNLx;Find out more at ;xSTx;a href="http://www.autism.org.uk/50";xETx;www.autism.org.uk/50;xSTx;/a;xETx;
Leo Kanner describes autism as a distinct condition in his paper 'Autistic disturbances of affective contact'.
Austrian paediatrician Hans Asperger describes a condition later known as 'Asperger syndrome'.
Helen Allison appears on the BBC’s Women’s Hour to talk about how autism affects her son, Joe.
A group of parents come together to start what will later be called The National Autistic Society.
Following its first meeting, the group identify three key goals for the fledgling charity.
A feature on autism called 'Children in chains' appears in a London newspaper, The Evening News.
The first Parliamentary question about autism was asked by Mr William Compton Carr to Education Minister Sir Edward Boyle.
The first NAS logo was designed by a parent member of the Executive Committee, Gerald Gasson, and used the symbol of a puzzle piece.
The first publicity campaign organised by a team of professional experts for the society launched at the end of 1964.
We open our first school called The Society School for Autistic Children, later renamed Sybil Elgar School.
The first issue of our members' magazine, 'Communication', is published.
Due to the popularity of our first school, Sybil Elgar suggests the NAS open a second school.
The first ever three-day conference took place in Pontins Wick Ferry Holiday in Christchurch, Dorset.
The residential community is opened to provide continued support and care for students leaving Sybil Elgar School.
The school is in Radlett in rural Hertfordshire.
The school, originally called Storm House, is in Rotherham in South Yorkshire.
The first systematic study of twins with autism is published by Dr Susan Folstein and Professor Michael Rutter.
Lorna Wing and Judith Gould's groundbreaking study presented the idea of an autism spectrum.
The third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) recognises autism spectrum disorder.
In 1982 the charity changed its name from The Society for Autistic Children to The National Autistic Society.
The school, originally in Westward Ho! and now Bideford in Devon, is opened by our Royal Patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.
The Academy Award winning drama starring Dustin Hoffman is said to have heavily influenced public perceptions of autism.
Christopher Gillberg, a professor of child and adolescent psychiatry, publishes the first diagnostic criteria for Asperger syndrome.
The National Autistic Society and a network of affiliated local societies launch a quality assurance programme.
The fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) recognises Asperger syndrome as a separate disorder from autism.
The NAS Wales office opens in Cardiff.
The EarlyBird programme is for parents whose child received a diagnosis of autism and is of pre-school age.
The NAS Scotland office opens in Glasgow.
Prospects is our employment and training service for people with autism who wish to work.
The helpline started in order to answer the increasing number of calls and enquiries the organisation was receiving.
Jane was made President of the NAS in recognition of all her hard work for people with autism.
The school is in Ayrshire, Scotland.
The Lancet publishes research claiming to show a link between the MMR vaccine and autism and bowel disease. The research is later discredited.
The Autism Research Centre (ARC) brings together scientists working on autism at the University of Cambridge.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Autism (APPGA) is a formal cross-party backbench group of MPs and Peers interested in autism.
The UK Department for Education publishes 'Autistic spectrum disorders: good practice guidance'.
Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex took over this role from Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.
'The curious incident of the dog in the night-time' by Mark Haddon tells the story of Christopher, a 15-year-old with Asperger syndrome.
The NAS Northern Ireland office opens in Belfast.
Autistic Pride Day is an Aspies for Freedom initiative to celebrate people on the autism spectrum.
The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declares 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day.
Between 2001 and 2002, Gary McKinnon hacked into 97 US military computers at the Pentagon and NASA to search for proof of UFOs.
The Welsh Assembly Government publishes its 'Autism spectrum disorder strategic action plan' in April, making it the UK's first autism strategy.
The Autism Act 2009 becomes the first ever disability-specific law in England, after campaigning by the NAS.
The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety launch the 'Autism spectrum disorder strategic action plan' in June 2009.
The NAS is awarded the Charity Times 'Campaigns Team of the Year' for "innovation and results that achieve, or exceed, the aims of a campaign".
The NAS wins the PRWeek 'Public Affairs' award for the "most effective use of PR to change or enlist political or public opinion".
The Government publishes its plan to make sure that adults with autism get the help that they need, committed to in the Autism Act 2009.
In June, BBC programme Panorama broadcast shocking footage of residents in a care home for people with autism being grossly mistreated.
Lorna wins the Charity Times 'Outstanding Individual Achievement' award for her "dedication, professionalism and integrity" throughout her career.
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