Dr Mahfud Ben-Hamida, Consultant Community Paediatrician with NCIC, is this week raising awareness of autism to mark the 60th World Autism Acceptance Week 2022.
Autism-friendly events and educational activities take place all month, aiming to increase understanding and acceptance of autism, fostering worldwide support and inspire a kinder, more inclusive world.
Dr Ben-Hamida said: “We know that autistic children see, hear and feel the world slightly differently from others.
“Autism is a spectrum; it represented by a wide variety of presentations. It is a lifelong condition and it is not disease or illness.
“There is no vaccination and there is no cure currently for it.”
“The reason why it is important to have an assessment for autism if you think your child is affected by the condition is that families and children can develop a better understanding of this condition."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here