We held a special autism awareness event on Tuesday 15th February in the Corporate Banqueting Suite, County Buildings, Almada Street, Hamilton. Guest speakers were Dr Gordon Bell, of charity Action Against Autism, and Dr Robert Moffat, of The National Autistic Society. Audience members came from as far away as Ayrshire to hear the speakers.

At the event, Ross highlighted recent figures for autism diagnosis published by the Scottish Executive. The report [Audit of Services for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Statistical Report (2004)] states that there are 561 children and 37 adults in Lanarkshire with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Ross said, “These figures are somewhat short of the real picture. The National Autistic Society statistics suggest that 1,240 children and 4,430 adults in Lanarkshire could be affected by autism and Asperger syndrome. Further, the figures show that autism is not a rare condition, and neither is ASD just a childhood condition. Our autistic children are becoming autistic adults. It is therefore important that services are in place for all age groups.”

Dr Robert Moffat, who is National Officer for the NAS in Scotland, told the group of two centres funded by the Scottish Executive in Lothian and Glasgow. The adult centre in Maryhill, Glasgow has been set up as a "one stop shop" for adults to gain information, diagnosis and support. The centre is designed as a drop in centre for people with autism, their carers and professionals.