How Autism Champions Serves Private Clients
Today we have the opportunity to sit down with Jo Ford, an autism mentor through Autism Champions, to learn more about how she works with private clients.
Thank you for joining us, Jo!
Sarah: Tell me about your work with Autism Champions – what do you do and how does it align with your values?
Jo: One of the things I love most about working through Autism Champions is that no two days are ever the same. I have the privilege of working alongside autistic children, young people and their families in a range of different ways, always taking a neuro-affirming approach that values and respects autistic differences.
Some of my work involves providing one-to-one support in schools. This is about getting to know each young person as an individual, understanding what helps them feel safe, comfortable and able to engage, and working with school staff to create environments where they can thrive. I am passionate about helping schools better understand autism and make meaningful adjustments that support wellbeing and inclusion.
I also work directly with children and young people at home. This can involve helping them understand themselves better, exploring sensory needs, building confidence, reducing anxiety, or simply providing a supportive space where they feel listened to and understood.
Sarah: It sounds like working directly with young people is pretty crucial. What else goes into the systemic approach used by Autism Champions?
Jo: A big part of my role is supporting parents, too. Raising an autistic child can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also feel overwhelming at times, especially when navigating services and education systems. I work alongside families to help them better understand their child's experiences, develop practical strategies, and feel more confident advocating for their needs.
Sarah: So you’re really working with the whole family, and with the systems around them. How do you support families in education?
Jo: I regularly support families through SEND processes, including Education, Health and Care Plans, phase transfers and tribunals. These can be daunting experiences for parents, and I am passionate about helping families ensure their child's voice is heard and that they receive the support they are entitled to.
I also carry out assessments and write reports to support decisions around future educational placements, including post-16 provision. My focus is always on understanding the whole young person—their strengths, interests, aspirations and support needs—and helping identify the environments where they are most likely to flourish.
Sarah: It sounds like challenging, important work.
Jo: What connects all of this work is a belief that autistic children and young people shouldn't have to change who they are to fit into the world around them. Instead, I work to help the people and environments around them better understand, support and celebrate them for who they are.
It is a role that brings huge variety, but also huge privilege, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to support so many amazing children, young people and families on their journeys.
If you’d like to know more about working with Jo or any of our autism mentors, head to our Private Clients page to start the process.