Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans has called on primary schools to raise awareness of autism.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons has got behind the National Autistic Society’s (NAS)newly-launched Andersons School’s Challenge, aimed at increasing pupil’s knowledge of the condition.
Mr Evans said: “Such a large number of school children, around one in 100, are affected by autism. However, people remain unaware of the condition, meaning that those affected by the condition within mainstream education are often bullied.
“Indeed a recent survey put this number as high as 63 per cent.
“Therefore, I believe that the challenges set out by NAS raise vitally needed awareness, while being fun and engaging.
“I would be delighted if Primary Schools in the Ribble Valley took part in the project and so I would like to encourage any teachers, parents and pupils in the Ribble Valley to go online.”
Vist: www.autism.org.uk/schoolschallenge for more information about the NAS challenge.