An SDLP MLA is urging members of the public to support Autism Awareness Week, which is currently running until Sunday 07 April.

Mark H Durkan, the party's Health Spokesperson, said the initiative is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness and public understanding of what life is like for those with the developmental disorder.

Autism affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people, as well as how they experience the world around them.

The Foyle MLA praised campaigns which raise awareness of autism, as reflected in the rise in amount of diagnoses, but said there is a lot of progress still to be made to speed up the diagnosis and support process.

"In order to do that we need to involve the experts; by introducing the narrative of autistic individuals and their families we can create services which best support their needs from childhood right through to adulthood," Mr Durkan commented.

"When you meet one person with autism, you meet one person with autism- needs and complexities vary on an individual basis and this must be reflected in the types of support services we provide.

"I would urge the public to show their support this week, to educate themselves on what it means to be autistic- the daily challenges people living with autism face and how that impacts on their ability to do things most people take for granted.

"By doing so, together we can build a more understanding and inclusive society that works for everyone."



(JG/CM)