News In Focus
9 December 2005
New campaign targets autism awareness
The National Autistic Society (NAS) has launched its first ever campaign to increase understanding of autism and Asperger syndrome among criminal justice service (CJS) professionals.
Research carried out for the NAS by nfpSynergy in 2005 as background to the campaign, revealed that:
• almost half of the Scottish solicitors who responded had represented a client with autism, yet only 2% had received any training on the disability;
• Three quarters of the Scottish solicitors who responded believed that there was a lack of knowledge and understanding within the profession and 70% felt that training would be useful.
A survey of police revealed a similar lack of training but desire to know more.
An estimated 535,000 people have autism in the UK today, almost 50,000 of them in Scotland. The NAS campaign will reach professionals from across the CJS to ensure individuals with autism are supported at every level.
The NAS recently produced an autism alert card that those with the disability can carry to explain their condition.
Liz Craigmyle, Partner, Balfour & Manson Disability Legal Services, who spoke at the launch event in Edinburgh said: “I welcome the work of the National Autistic Society in this important campaign to raise awareness of autism among criminal justice professionals in Scotland.
"The provision of an information pack, autism alert cards and the availability of distance learning and tailored training is an important step forward in ensuring that people with autism receive a fair, informed and appropriate response when they come into contact with the Scottish criminal justice system.”
Carol Evans, NAS Regional Director for Scotland said: “We will lobby for autism specific training for a range of professionals and will be monitoring our progress over the coming months.”
Information packs for CJS professionals are available from 0845 070 4004. Information on autism and a downloadable version of the information pack can be found on the NAS website at http://www.autism.org.uk/cjp .
CJS professionals wishing to find out more about NAS training opportunities should call 0115 911 3363 or email: training@nas.org.uk .