New alert card to help autism sufferers

A NORTH MSP has welcomed the new autism alert card which can assist emergency personnel if someone with the condition is involved in an accident or becomes a victim of crime.

Mary Scanlon, Scottish Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands and her party’s spokeswoman for health, said it is a step forward for sufferers.

She said: "Requiring the assistance of the emergency services or needing to urgently deal with the council can be a stressful time but for autistic people it can also be disorienting and frightening.

"By having the contact details of someone to support them they will quickly have assistance to deal with the pressures of the incident and staff working with them will also be able to understand the reason for the heightened anxiety.

"It is good to see the Highlands and Islands leading the way with this initiative and I hope that it receives positive feedback so we can see similar ideas rolled out across the country."

The new card has the support of Northern Constabulary, Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service, the Highland Council and NHS Highland.