Action urged on autism

A NATIONAL charity is hoping to influence changes in the law to help the half a million people in the UK affected by autism.

Mark Lever, chief executive of the National Autistic Society (NAS), said: "We'll be working with lawyers to try and set legal precedents and create real and lasting change for people with this serious, lifelong and disabling condition."

In particular, the NAS is appealing for sufferers to submit details of cases that will help to tackle the absence of help for the more than 70 per cent of children with autism who also have a mental health problem.

The call comes after its You Need To Know campaign last month reported mental health services failed to help two-thirds of children with the condition.