Stewart Stevenson MSP encourages businesses to take part in Autism Hour

A North-east MSP is calling on local businesses to take part in Autism Hour to encourage shops to be more autism-friendly. Autism Hour highlights that small changes can make a big difference to autistic customers and families. National Autistic Society Scotland hope that, after participating in Autism Hour, shops will introduce regular autism-friendly sessions.

From Saturday 5th to Saturday 12th October hundreds of shops around Scotland are turning down music and dimming the lights, as well as providing staff with information about autism to enable them to help and understand autistic customers.

There are around 58,000 autistic people in Scotland. Being autistic means seeing, hearing and feeling the world in a different, often more intense way to other people. Autistic people often find social situations difficult and can struggle to filter out the sounds, smells, sights and information they experience, which can make busy public places, like shops, overwhelming.

Major names from high streets across Scotland are taking part in Autism Hour, including The Entertainer, Morrisons, Lloyds Banking Group, Home Bargains and intu Group. A full list of participating shops in Scotland can be found at www.autism.org.uk/autismhour.

Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“I think Autism Hour is an excellent initiative and I’d encourage all shops, cafes and other businesses in my constituency to get involved.

“Creating an autism friendly environment is simple and small changes like dimming lights and turning music down is easy to do, but goes a long way to making autistic people and their families feel welcome.

“Holding an Autism Hour is the first step to creating a more autism-friendly Scotland.”

Nick Ward, Director of National Autistic Society Scotland, said:

“I’m delighted Stewart is supporting Autism Hour and encouraging businesses to take part.

“We know that 66% of autistic people in Scotland avoid the shops. And, shockingly, 27% have been asked to leave a public place for reasons associated with their autism. They and their families want and deserve to have the opportunity to go to the shops, just like anyone else.

“Small changes can make a big difference for autistic people and their families.”