Just got this info via the NAS:
Throughout the month of October BBC Radio 4 will be airing a season of autism programmes on their You and Yours programme starting on October 4th with a beginners guide to autism. There won't be autism features on every programme and although the first programme will be a whole hour on autism subsquent programmes will just contain an autism 'feature' within the rest of the show.
A big thank you to everyone who has or is helping us make this season of programmes. They will go a long way in raising awareness and understanding of autistic spectrum disorders.
In the BBC's own words:
Autism is a puzzling and complex condition which is still only dimly understood. Its effects can range from a complete absence of speech and near-dependence, to people who seem superficially to be coping quite well, but who are -- well, just a little different. But the one common factor is a major difficulty in forming human relationships, and an inability to recognise and anticipate the reactions and emotions of others, even those close to them.
In a series of programmes and features throughout October, ?You and Yours? will be attempting to demystify the subject, and to steer those with autistic conditions and their families toward the most effective help. The first programme on October 4th at 12pm will be a beginners' guide, when we'll be asking how much we know about the causes of autism, why it seems to be on the increase (over half-a-million cases in Britain, with by far the largest number occurring amongst primary school children) and also examining how our attitudes to autism have been influenced by film, television and literature. Amongst Peter White and Winifred Robinson's guests will be the mother of two autistic children, a teenager who has written a book about his own experiences, a psychologist who has studied the condition for three decades and the Community Care Minister, Steve Ladyman.
In the days ahead, we'll be examining the lives of adults and children with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome through their own words, and looking at education, employment, and at what interventions and treatments stand the best chance of making a difference.
For more details please see our website at: www.autism.org.uk or www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/youandyours/features/comingup.shtml