What do you know about autism? Perhaps you’ve heard that it’s
some kind of brain condition that is linked to genius. Maybe you
have a vague notion that it’s caused by childhood immunisations,
or affects children not adults, boys not girls. Maybe you’ve
read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and
therefore know everything there is to know. Today is World
Autism Awareness Day, so I can’t help but give the topic some
attention, especially as the Action and Research Centre here at
the RSA is in the early stages of planning a piece of work
involving improving opportunities for people with autism. It
feels timely to mention our intention to do this work, not least
because of the emphasis in UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s
message to mark World Autism Awareness Day 2013: “This
international attention is essential to address stigma, lack of
awareness and inadequate support structures. Now is the time to
work for a more inclusive society, highlight the talents of
affected people and ensure opportunit