A new campaign launched by charity Inspiring Scotland and the Scottish government urges people to see autism as a development difference rather than a disorder.
The scheme, which coincides with this week's World Autism Awareness Week, will encourage people to see autism as a different way of thinking rather than a condition that can be cured, and will also highlight the strengths of people with autism.
Scottish government and Inspiring Scotland are working on the campaign with Queen Margaret University and autism awareness charity Scottish Autism.
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The team will work with Queen Margaret University to improve diagnosis and care for children and adults with autism and other neurodevelopmental issues, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and will work with Scottish Autism on support for newly-diagnosed autistic people and their families and to update the autism resource available to schools.
Mental health minister Clare Haughey said it was important for everyone to receive enough support and to reach their full potential.
"We want Scotland to be an inclusive society in which everyone can play a full role and we are absolutely committed to changing attitudes and to showing the positive contributions that people with autism can make," she said.
"These next steps will build on the work and progress we have made since the Scottish Government published the first Scottish Strategy for Autism in 2011.
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"We want everyone to receive the support they need to reach their full potential, in the most suitable environment with a range of provisions in place to ensure this is the case."
Inspiring Scotland chief executive's Celia Tennant said it was important to "move away from stereotypes" and instead to focus on the "strengths" autistic people bring.
"These steps aim to increase society's understanding of autism, to move away from stereotypes and to make clear the many strengths autistic people bring to society," she said.
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"We are proud to be a partner in this programme and look forward to working with autistic people, charities and organisations to create change for autistic people in Scotland."
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash
