Gesture to drive up awareness

The Tower of Refuge will be lit blue for a week as part of a global effort to increase understanding of autism.

Today is World Autism Awareness Day and landmarks around the world are being illuminated in a show of solidarity for sufferers, their carers and families.

The Douglas Bay landmark will be illuminated blue from today until Friday (2-8 April).  

Information about autism and the help on offer is being promoted locally via social media, with backing from the UK National Autism Society. 

Before the Easter break, several Island schools held activities to help pupils understand what life is like for their autistic classmates. 

Louise Jacob-Armstrong, whose five year old son has been diagnosed as autistic, held a workshop at Peel Clothworkers School.

She says awareness of the condition here needs to improve: