Tributes have been paid to Dame Stephanie Shirley, founder of autism charities Autism at Kingwood, Prior’s Court and Austistica, who died aged 91 on 9 August after a short illness.

Shirley set up Autism at Kingwood in Oxfordshire over 30 years ago, initially to support her late autistic son, who had spent 11 years in a psychiatric hospital.

Her goal had been for her son and other autistic adults to live in an ordinary house within the community, where they could be supported to live independently.

Shirley, known as “Steve” by friends, went on to establish two more charities; Prior’s Court in 1999, an autism specialist school in Newbury, and autism research charity Autistica in 2004.

‘An enduring legacy’

Autism at Kingwood, which now supports 92 people in Oxfordshire and Berkshire to live in their own homes, expressed “deep sadness” at the death of Shirley, who it said had “a remarkable life”.

“She arrived in Britain as an unaccompanied 5-year-old child refugee from Germany in 1939,” the charity said in a statement.

“She and her sister were fostered by a loving couple, and Steve went on to study mathematics at university.

“She began a successful career path in computer programming, before hitting the inevitable glass ceiling.

“So, in 1963 Steve set up on her own, recruiting other women and pioneering ‘working from home’. 

“Her technology group became Xansa (now Steria) and was hugely successful, enabling her to set up the three charities. Steve was made a dame in the Millennium Honours List for services to the computing industry.”

Sarah Butcher, chief executive of Autism at Kingwood, said: ‘Steve’s enduring legacy is defined by her unwavering drive, passion, and commitment – qualities that will continue to inspire and guide our work with autistic people.” 

James Cusack, CEO of Autistica, said: “Everyone at Autistica is immensely proud to have Steve as our founder.

“Her values and beliefs are embedded in our charity and drive our commitment to innovative problem solving, acting with urgency and embracing difference.

“Steve often said that she wanted her life to be ‘one worth saving’. She achieved that in so many ways.

“She leaves behind an incredible legacy for autistic people and their families, of support, research and policy change, that will continue to change lives for generations to come.”