Flourish offers specialist, neuroaffirmative supports and services that centre Autistic experience, rights, and wellbeing. Founded by Bernadine Smith and led by Amanda McGuinness, Director of Autism Advocacy and Professional Practice, Flourish is an Autistic-led organisation committed to ethical, inclusive practice. Our services are grounded in evidence-informed approaches and lived experience, supporting participation, accessibility, and autonomy across diverse life contexts.
Families & Caregivers
We offer Autistic-led, identity-affirming consultation, guidance, and educational programmes for families at every stage of their journey. Whether navigating the assessment process or seeking ongoing support, we work alongside families to foster understanding, connection, and confidence. Our approach embraces the diversity of Autistic experience, always grounded in respect for neurodivergent ways of being.
Educational Settings
We partner with early years settings, schools, and educational professionals to co-create inclusive, neuroaffirmative environments where Autistic learners are recognised, respected, and supported. Our Autistic-led team provides consultation, capacity-building, and reflective practice opportunities tailored to each setting. We deliver evidence-informed training programmes that explore Autistic experience, enabling educators to move towards connection, flexibility, and relational safety.
Early Years Inclusion
We offer specialised support to early years settings seeking to implement neuroaffirmative, inclusive practice for Autistic children. Through reflective training, curriculum adaptation, sensory-aware design, and capacity-building with staff, we support services in developing environments where every child is welcomed, understood, and supported. This offering includes consultation, in-setting coaching, and staff training grounded in early childhood development, inclusive pedagogy, and Autistic identity.
Supports for Autistic Children and Young People with Complex Needs
We provide holistic, multi-contextual consultation for families and professionals supporting Autistic children and young people with complex needs, including co-occurring disabilities, significant communication differences, and high support requirements. Our approach is trauma-informed, family-centred, and grounded in the principles of co-regulation, autonomy, and respectful support. We collaborate across home, school, and service settings to ensure consistent, identity-affirming support for the individual and their wider network.
Health & Social Care Professionals
We collaborate with health and social care professionals to develop inclusive, neuroaffirmative practice across clinical and community settings. Our Autistic-led team offers reflective training and consultation grounded in lived experience, and co-designs educational programmes for the families they support to foster continuity, relational safety, and neuroaffirmative supports.
