MP Kate Green has pledged to promote more autism awareness in Trafford after people’s understanding of the ‘complex condition’ was deemed ‘desperately low’ by a leading charity boss.
Autism is a lifelong condition which affects over 3,000 people in every constituency.
The Labour representative of Stretford and Urmston met local families and heard moving testimonies from people living with autism at an event at the end of last week.
Ms Green vowed to do all she can to stop negative public attitudes that ‘can harm families and individuals’, and to help people living with autism to play an active role in their community.
She said: “We heard how negative public attitudes and misconceptions about autism can harm families and individuals and limit their opportunities.
“I plan to actively promote more awareness in Stretford and Urmston to improve access to public spaces, employment and services, such as the new autism friendly resources for the Trafford Centre.
“This will enable more people living with autism to play an active role in their community and to achieve their full potential.”
Ms Green, a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism, was one of a hundred parliamentarians to attend the reception along with president of the National Autistic Society, Jane Asher.
Ms Asher said: “Awareness of the word autism has increased dramatically since I first became involved many years ago, but understanding of this complex condition is still desperately low, that’s why I’m very grateful that so many Parliamentarians came to the event.
“Parliamentarians have the power to make a real change in the lives of those with autism by helping us to spread understanding among their local communities.
“I do hope they will work with us in trying to make the world a more welcoming place for those affected and their families.”
Earlier this year, Ms Green visited High Functioning Trafford, a group set up and run by parents of children on the autistic spectrum to provide activities for their children, support and advice.
She said: “I was impressed and moved by what I heard from people living with autism.
“More than 1 in 100 people in the UK have the condition and many have battled to get their needs identified, diagnosed, understood and then met.”
