"Steep rise" in autism

Experts on autism believe that there has been a steep rise in the number of children affected by the condition.

Some 12,000 primary school children were studied over three years by a team at Cambridge University, acknowledged for its world class Autism Research Centre. They estimate that one in 58 children is now affected by autism.

Autism and related conditions can make it difficult for children to make friends or lead them to display obsessive behaviour.

The as yet unpublished findings have now been used to call for improved education provision for autistic children.

Dr Simon Baron Cohen, who led the research, said: “We are urging Gordon Brown to provide a world class education for all children with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome… even autism units equipped with sensory rooms in mainstream primary and secondary schools.”