Confronting ignorance on autism

FOR a condition first identified more than 60 years ago, it is remarkable that so little is generally known about autism. This lack of understanding is even more remarkable considering that autism spectrum disorders are estimated by the National Autism Society to affect the lives of more than 500,000 families in the UK.

To help combat this widespread ignorance, the campaign by NAS Scotland, launched today, is to be warmly welcomed. One in every 100 people in Scotland is affected by autism - a total of about 50,000 - and the campaign, supported by new research, revea...