New autism-friendly communities launched in Surrey
It's hoped they'll help businesses and organisations support autistic people who use their services
Five new autism-friendly communities have been launched in Surrey.
It's hoped they will encourage businesses and organisations to increase their understanding of autism, and how they can support autistic people with any difficulties they may face.
The communities would be similar to one established in East Surrey.
On Monday, Surrey County Council held an event launching new communities in Guildford and Waverley.
The authority estimate there's around 12,000 autistic children and young people in the county.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, the Head of Commissioning at Surrey County Council's Adult Well-being and Health Partnerships Directorate, Anna Waterman, said the new communities were part of the Council's all-age strategy.
"Autistic people can be made to feel different in some way, but what we're trying to achieve is really demonstrating what it is that makes a community be really welcoming and inclusive."
She added that sessions being run by the authority are a "great opportunity to understand the breadth of support available", but for autistic people to "feel that sense of social connectivity that can sometimes escape."