Scheme raises Asperger awareness

The National Autistic Society is starting a series of seminars to explain Asperger syndrome to legal and other professionals in the UK.

The seminars are part of the Keeping Safe campaign which aims to raise awareness about the unpredictably of people with the syndrome.

Legal professionals are gathering at Nottingham's Galleries of Justice for one of the first seminars.

Police, lawyers and other legal staff will attend Tuesday's event.

'Very trusting'

A policeman from the Merseyside force who has a son with the condition is among the speakers.

The National Autistic Society has also been running sessions at two Nottingham schools helping children with Asperger syndrome look after themselves and their possessions.

Spokesman Alan Bicknell said: "(People with the condition) can often be exploited, they're often very trusting.

"So the whole idea of the Keeping Safe programme is to raise the awareness of the police, probation, the courts - so when they come in contact with young people with Asperger syndrome, are better equipped," he said.

It is believed young people with Asperger syndrome are more likely than their peers to come into contact with the criminal justice system - as a victim or a suspect.

"Young people with Asperger syndrome often don't have the skills we rely on to deal with threatening situations," he added.

Asperger syndrome is a form of autism, and people with it can have difficulties in social communication and interaction.

They can experience problems in expressing themselves emotionally and socially and in understanding or interpreting other peoples thoughts, feelings or actions.