Michael Baron: A Life Dedicated to Autism Advocacy

Michael Baron, a London solicitor who passed away at the age of 96, played a crucial role in improving the lives of autistic individuals. Back in 1962, when autism was largely misunderstood, he co-founded what would become the UK’s premier charity focused on autism. As the organization’s first chair, he worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funds for the cause.

Baron’s efforts included establishing the first autism-specific school in 1965 and creating the first residential community for autistic adults in 1974. Alongside a group of fellow lawyers, he pushed for the Education (Handicapped Children) Act in 1970, which granted every child, regardless of their disabilities, the right to an education.

His activism stemmed from the challenges faced by his son, Timothy, who was born in 1956. Timothy struggled with communication and socially engaging, leading a pediatrician to suggest he might have autism—a virtually unknown condition in the UK at that time. The doctor’s reference to Leo Kanner’s description of autism resonated with Baron, describing it as a longing for aloneness and sameness, traits Timothy exhibited. Unfortunately, the options for such children were limited to psychiatric institutions, painting a grim picture of the future.

Baron firmly believed his son was simply viewing the world differently and that he wasn’t “ineducable,” as some medical professionals claimed. He was convinced that, given the right educational environment, Timothy could thrive.

Motivated to learn more about autism, Baron joined the National Society for Mentally Handicapped Children, which is now known as Mencap. A chance meeting with psychiatrist Lorna Wing at a 1961 conference led them to collaborate with other parents of autistic children.

In January 1962, Baron, Wing, and their peers convened to establish a charity dedicated to autism. Initially, they called it the “Society for Psychotic Children” due to the lack of understanding around autism, but Baron successfully advocated for it to be renamed the National Society for Autistic Children. As time went on and it became evident that autism extends beyond childhood, the organization adapted, becoming the National Autistic Society in 1975.

In the early ’60s, Baron and Wing discovered a gifted Montessori teacher named Sybil Elgar, who was helping children with learning disabilities. They convinced her to join their efforts.

Baron located a suitable space in Ealing, and in 1965, the Sybil Elgar school opened its doors, with Timothy and Wing’s daughter, Susan, among the first students. Through Baron’s advocacy and media outreach, public knowledge about autism grew, significantly boosted when members of the Beatles visited the school, with John Lennon even donating £1,000.

As Timothy transitioned to a boarding school in Northern Ireland during his secondary years, Baron became increasingly concerned about his son’s future and the prospects for other autistic adults in need of long-term support. He discovered a large property for sale in Somerset. Through NAS, he raised funds to purchase and adapt the building into suitable accommodation for 21 residents. This led to the creation of Somerset Court, the world’s first autism-specific residential community, where Timothy was among the first residents.

Over the years, as more people were recognized as autistic, Baron worried that those who were more severely affected might be overlooked. He became attuned to the healthcare and welfare requirements of older autistic adults. In the later stages of his life, he advocated for more learning disability nurses within the NHS and emphasized the importance of welfare deputies for disabled individuals whose families were no longer able to support them.

Baron was honored with an MBE in 1980 for his contributions to autism advocacy. Carol Povey, a former director at the NAS, remarked on the remarkable influence of Baron and his contemporaries in the ’60s, describing them as a formidable force driving meaningful change.

Born in Willesden, North-West London, Baron was the second son of a lawyer and a doctor. He had a pleasant family life growing up, attended Westminster School, and later pursued history at Trinity College, Cambridge. Following his graduation in 1951, he qualified as a solicitor and worked in his father’s firm before starting his own practice in Twickenham.

He married Mie Wadsted in 1956, shortly before welcoming Timothy and later two daughters, Joanna and Saskia. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1977, but he later married social worker Hetty Thieme. After selling his London firm in the early ’90s, the couple fulfilled a dream of relocating to the Lake District, where Baron engaged in efforts to safeguard the local environment and founded a literary festival.

In recent years, he proudly published a poetry anthology, signaling a passion that had stayed with him throughout his life. After Hetty’s passing in 2012, Baron returned to London, living with his daughter Saskia, a documentary filmmaker.

Survived by his son Timothy, daughter Saskia, grandson Jacob, and sister Margaret, Michael Baron’s legacy in the field of autism advocacy remains impactful.

Michael Geoffrey Baron, autism campaigner, born 25 December 1928; died 16 November 2025.