Jane Atkinson is an accomplished autism therapist, mentor, counsellor, and founder of the UK Charity Positive Path Foundation (PPF). With over 25 years of hands-on experience, she has helped hundreds of individuals and families across the UK and overseas living with autism and other hidden disabilities. Her deeply compassionate and inventive approach stems from her journey with her son, George. Jane’s journey began when George was diagnosed with profound
autism at just two years of age and considered unlikely to speak or
thrive. He was essentially “written off” as a young child by medical professionals whose recommendation was to put him into full-time residential care. She travelled to the USA and trialled a somewhat controversial therapy which convinced her to create a pioneering play-based therapy and approach that was more realistic and affordable for families in the UK. With dedication and persistence, Jane helped George develop spontaneous language, social and life skills. Oxfordshire Special Educational Needs (SEN) was so impressed with George’s progress that it funded Jane’s play therapy for 7 years at home, something they had never done before. He eventually entered mainstream education with all the tools to thrive at 9 years old. Since that time, she has helped many other children and young adults to overcome their challenges, gain life-changing insights and access vital resources. Today George is a bright, capable 27-year-old with high-functioning autism who drives his own car, has a wonderful circle of like-minded friends and a job in child-care. Lived experience shapes every part of Jane’s compassionate yet practical approach. In 2019, frustrated by the lack of support for people with high-functioning autism like George, Jane founded Positive Path Foundation, which helps young adults with autism and hidden disabilities in the UK, addressing the social isolation, mental health issues and poor job prospects they often face. Today, PPF delivers a thriving programme of social events, employment preparation and mentorship, empowering neurodiverse individuals to build friendships, develop life skills and achieve meaningful paid work. Jane continues to champion a strengths-based, person-centred approach, helping individuals and families living with high-functioning autism and other hidden disabilities to discover their own Path to Positivity wherever their location. She also provides consultancy services worldwide to companies, organisations, government agencies, schools, colleges and health professionals, promoting understanding and strategies to build a positive future for those living and working with hidden disability in all its forms.
