(by Els Van Beneden)
In this interview we talk to Thibault Corneloup and Hélène Queyras, directors of CLE Autistes, our member organisation in France. They tell us us about their association, their activism and the challenges faced by autistic people in France.
Hello Thibault and Hélène, could you briefly introduce your organization?
Thibault and Hélène: Of course. We are CLE Autistes, the Collectif pour la Liberté d’Expression des Autistes (translated: the collective for the freedom of speech of autistic people), a French association founded in 2018 by autistic activists committed to the rights, emancipation, and independent living of autistic people. Our organization was created as a reaction to the structural underrepresentation of autistic people within existing institutions and the silencing of our voices. While we were initially a political action collective, we have gradually broadened our work to include activities for members, educational actions, and peer support.
What is life like in France for an autistic person?
T and H: In France, autism is still largely viewed through a medical lens, which directly impacts our community’s autonomy. Eighty percent of autistic children are channelled into special education, and 80% of autistic adults do not have paid employment. With our association, we seek to structurally change this reality.
How do you go about this?
T and H: We try to influence the social and political discourse on neurodiversity and autism on various levels. We are also building a supportive network where we help each other. Together, we are stronger in articulating our demands and defending our rights.
Our commitment is based on four core values:
- Self-representation in scientific research, culture, public policy, and social programs;
- The right to live independently within an inclusive community, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
- Acceptance of autistic culture, without the requirement to adapt to neurotypical norms;
- Solidarity with all autistic people, whatever their needs, backgrounds, genders, or other factors, with a goal of universal emancipation of disabled people.
Are you a large organization?
T and H: No. Our association has around 100 members, of whom about twenty are actively involved. We have one employee and regularly collaborate with project providers. Membership is open from the age of 16, and the annual fee ranges from €10 to €60. We value diversity within the autistic community and welcome anyone who identifies with our mission, with or without a diagnosis, including relatives and allies.
France is a big country. Are you active everywhere?
T and H: That is clearly our ambition. Two years ago, we began transforming CLE Autistes into a federation of self-managed autistic and neurodivergent organizations. In addition to the original core in Île-de-France (Paris), branches are being created in three other regions. We encourage local initiatives: it often starts with simple meetups, such as picnics in Lyon, which can later develop into formal associations. This decentralized and horizontal approach strengthens the position of autistic people, but organisational capacity remains a challenge due to a lack of resources and recognition.
How does this horizontal structure function?
T and H: Alongside local associations, a central national body helps and supports. Today, three branches are active in the country. We encourage these groups to create associations and join the federation, but many remain at the stage of occasional projects. Creating a formal structure requires time and energy, which those involved often lack in addition to their daily obligations, even though the need is real.
Can you tell us more about your activities?
T and H: We have two main areas of action. On the one hand, there are activities for our members and the general public. On the other, our activism and advocacy.
Our activities are very diverse. We offer discussion groups, practical workshops, and informal gatherings like our Apérotistes: friendly moments where people with or without a diagnosis can meet, discover our organization, and make connections. Many participants come with questions about autism or a recent identification and are looking for answers.
We also provide drop-in sessions for individual support: access to rights, administrative support, help with expenses, etc.
We organize training sessions as well, internally for our members, and externally for other organisations. Demand for the latter has increased considerably recently.
We also run projects funded by one-off grants. One of our recent achievements is the magazine “Neurostyles“, a free expression platform for atypical profiles. It’s also a political tool, making voices heard that are outside mainstream discourse.
And the second focus?
T and H: This is the primary raison d’être of CLE Autistes: fighting isolation on all levels for autistic people. Our political action, therefore, remains central.
We write position papers for political parties, we demonstrate (for example, we were present at Pride), and we strive to make our voices heard by decision-makers. We don’t limit ourselves to peer support: we aim to generate collective power from the group.
Have you achieved good results in this area?
T and H: Yes. We have been invited to participate in a hearing in the French parliament on rights of participation.
For several years now, there has been an interministerial delegate for autism and neurodiversity in France. We have submitted our position paper to them as well as to some political parties, and we have received several responses.
We have also published a manifesto outlining our emancipatory positions and our demands for a society without stigma or exclusion.
We observe a shift in public discourse: the notion of self-determination is gaining visibility. Even traditional organizations, often founded by parents, are generally less hostile toward us than they were at our beginnings.
Do you experience difficulties in funding the organisation?
T and H: Yes, it is a major obstacle. We do not receive any public subsidy. We therefore turn to patronage and ethical philanthropy (such as funds from organic farming), project-based funding, and our own income such as training. Despite everything, finding sustainable funds remains a daily struggle.
We also use all communication channels at our disposal to increase our visibility: social media and the press—sometimes in a positive way, sometimes we have been targeted negatively. Through networks and pressure, we aim to reach decision-makers and opinion-shapers.
The role of EUCAP is important in this context. Being part of this European network enables us to show that we are part of a larger whole, which strengthens our legitimacy.
Do you see other benefits to your EUCAP membership?
T and H: We appreciate projects like ACTIVATE, which foster international cooperation and strengthen political impact. It’s difficult to reach French Members of the European Parliament, but through EUCAP, we hope our voice will be heard at the European level.
What should your EUCAP colleagues remember about your organization?
T and H: Even though we are a young organisation in a consolidation phase, with many demands and few resources, we are growing. Local associations are developing slowly, often at the cost of heavy personal investment.
But our visibility is increasing, we are reaching more people, and we are better recognised: by students, professionals, and society at large.
We continue the struggle. Even faced with a burdensome system, we do not give up on our mission. In a country where the care system needs deep reform, our position is both fragile and powerful.
We are the autistic voice.
Thank you for this interview.
