Most of the information I have gathered over the years has been from people with autism, who are able to share their experiences and cut thru any BS...

One book comes to mind.. it's call " The Reason I Jump" .. the author is a 13 year old non-verbal severely autistic young man from China, who learned how to "type" and the book is a series of questions and answers.. i leaned much about my son from this young man.

As far as any modern day champion, it is very hard because in the US EVERYTHING in autism is a controversy .. I have met Temple Grandin and she is a wonderful woman.. a true genius who overcame so much in her life.. but she teaches "old school" parenting that almost no one will adhere to today ( things like spanking your kids, strict discipline, etc) are all no longer acceptable today

We can all do our bit every day for awareness and acceptance.
First by opening up to people, even strangers: don't be ashamed of who your child is, even when they act out in public; just calmly explain.
Reach out to other parents when you recognise the "signs" and see that they are in distress and perhaps embarassed by their kids behaviour.
You ask your kids school to set up a parents support group; I did that last year and it was good for the parents as well as the kids. We need to realise that we are better together and we are stronger together. There is still too much stigma and isolation about autism and it doesn't come from the outside, it often comes from ourselves! We are too ashamed to speak out and talk to other parents of our kids issues, but that doesn't help anyone!
You can set up your own play-group for ASD kids: one local mum did just that, asked the church next door and now we all meet up once a week for a couple of hours of play and chat.
If you are in the UK you can ask your MP for more support in schools and other places.

Have you watched the Temple Grandin movie. She also has books on Amazon she is a great voice. She has a Masters in Science and invented the device to kill Cattle more humanely. She gives a great insight on Autistic minds. The movie had me in tears at the end.

Love her statement " Diffrent but not less " .

FindingCoopersVoice. She’s on fb and she’s done a lot trying to raise awareness and change laws for all people with disabilities but mainly Autism since her son in under the spectrum.

I fully understand where you are coming from. I have felt this way for some time and wondered who is out there to Champion ASD rights. Coming from a mother with a twenty something, who is socially awkward and not gainfully employed at the moment. He does do some volunteer work but I feel the resources are not out there for our people with ASD. I see posts out there about companies working with those with ASD but are these people more high functioning? There are many that are not high functioning that want to express their strengths, abilities but are not always given an opportunity. Yes, we need a Champion, for ALL on the spectrum.