Charities have received a funding boost to help thousands of people with autism in Scotland cope with the extreme change and daily challenges resulting from lockdown.

The Scottish Government has awarded more than £200,000 to two specialist organisations to improve support during the covid-19 pandemic for the 47,000 autistic people in Scotland.

It will be used to extend the opening hours of the Scottish Autism Helpline, with advice available seven days a week from 8am to 8pm.

Charlene Tait, Deputy CEO at Scottish Autism, said: “We are all too aware of the impact this crisis is having on the emotional, physical and mental wellbeing of autistic people and their families. 

“This funding will enable us to reach out and support people at this difficult and stressful time.”

The National Autistic Society Scotland has also received funding to develop an online platform, which will enable people to meet up on the web through interests such as film, books, arts, cooking and hold virtual coffee clubs.

Nick Ward, Director at the National Autistic Society Scotland, said: “With this funding we can drastically increase the number of online social groups, where people can meet and talk about the things that are important to them, form meaningful relationships and feel more connected.

“Our staff will also be on hand to offer support and tips around managing mental health and well being and importantly staying safe."  

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said the funding aimed to improve the availability of support for autistic people, who found extreme change in their daily lives more difficult to deal with.

She said: “These are unprecedented times and it is important autistic people know this support is there to help them and how to access it.

“This funding will help organisations provide autistic people and their families with a source of up-to-date information to manage their physical and mental health and wellbeing, as well as reduce social isolation by helping them forge sustainable and meaningful relationships.”

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