PEOPLE affected by autism are invited to the launch of a new campaign in York today to highlight the perceived lack of support for them.

The National Autistic Society is beginning its You Need To Know campaign in the city because it says parents and professional are “crying out for more autism support”.

Lisa Pitkeathly, the society’s senior regional officer, said: “Too many children with autism are developing preventable mental health problems and find themselves unable to get help or up against a system that doesn’t understand them or their needs.

“Parents and professionals alike are crying out for more support, and local authorities must ensure this support is available in every area and that mental health professionals receive adequate training. If this doesn’t happen, they risk failing thousands of children and their families.”

The society said it expected today’s meeting at York Sports Club in Shipton Road to be attended by parents of children with autism as well as national NAS representatives and child and adult mental health professionals.

According to the society, more than 70 per cent of children with autism have a mental health problem, such as depression, obsessive compulsive disorder or other anxiety disorders, but many of these problems are preventable.

Miss Pitkeathly said: “I hope the You Need To Know campaign will encourage more awareness, tolerance and understanding of autism and the different ways in which it affects individuals so that schools and workplaces are also able to put adequate support networks in place, and consequently reduce the number of children and young people suffering from mental health problems.”

For more information, visit autism.org.uk/whatyoucando Today’s event will take place between 9.45am and noon.