Julie attended a drop-in event hosted by the National Autistic Society in Parliament.

The charity has recently released a report which has revealed how poor public understanding of autism is pushing many who suffer from autism and their families into isolation.

According to a survey of over 7,000 autistic people, their families and friends, and professionals carried out by The National Autistic Society:

• 87% of families say people stare and 74% say people tut or make disapproving noises about behaviour associated with their child’s autism.
• 84% of autistic people say people judge them as strange.
• 79% of autistic people and 70% of family members feel socially isolated.
• 50% of both autistic people and family members sometimes or often don’t go out because they’re worried about how people will react to their autism.