Campaign to promote autism
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The youth justice system is to be targeted as part of a National Autistic Society campaign.
The Keeping Safe campaign aims to make police, youth offending teams, prisons and magistrates more aware of autism and, in particular, Asperger's syndrome.
Alan Bicknell, head of support programmes at the National Autistic Society, said: "There's still a lack of understanding of autism and Asperger's syndrome in the criminal justice system. Professionals may find it difficult to recognise and might not think about it, so we want to raise their awareness of the condition. It's not just about young perpetrators but also the victims of crime and witnesses."
The campaign, backed with £67,000 from the Co-operative Bank, plans to send packs about autism to 2,000 managers in criminal justice services and will also distribute postcards containing information about the condition.
"We hope that this work will lead to both more preventive work with autistic young people and some diversionary strategies for those in trouble," said Bicknell.
- Call the National Autistic Society on 0115 911 3360 for more information.
