A major campaign to make society more autism-friendly has been launched.

Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder that impairs communication and social skills. Those affected have difficulties in communicating and forming relationships with people, in developing language and in using abstract concepts.

Signs can include an absence of eye contact, apparent aloofness, avoidance of physical contact even with family, difficulty dealing with interruptions to routine and a lack of interest in others and what they are doing.

One in 100 people has the condition and for them, simple things, such as using public transport, going to a supermarket or ordering food in a restaurant can prove difficult.

To combat this, the advocacy group, AsIAm, has launched a campaign which aims to persuade suppliers of goods and services throughout Ireland to make small changes to their operations, which would result in these businesses becoming more autism-friendly.

It has published a series of ‘AsYouCan' guides for a range of sectors - from retail to hospitality to sports groups - to show them how small changes can make a big difference to people with autism.

The move coincides with the start of World Autism Month, which runs throughout April.

"Throughout the month we will be visiting retailers, restaurants, sports clubs and other businesses to discuss directly how they can make small changes that will transform how people with autism experience their service.

We hope to get pledges from them to make changes and will work with them to ensure they understand the kind of things that are helpful," explained AsIAm chief executive, Adam Harris.

Examples of changes that could make a big difference include the introduction of a sensory-friendly shopping hour in supermarkets and restaurants notifying families of menus in advance so that they can prepare the person with autism for the visit.

Mr Harris emphasised that this World Autism Month, ‘we are not seeking your charity'.

"We are asking you to use our ‘AsYouCan' guides to learn just one thing you could do differently and in the process engage a new major market of one in 100 for your business, service or organisation," he said,

For more information on autism and AsIAm, click here