Clonakilty: Autism-friendly town - Reaching out

Most people who enjoy social interaction with friends and family have little or no idea of the isolation and loneliness that those with autism often have to endure, as they navigate the world in a different way to other people.

Many on the spectrum find that their autism limits and impairs everyday functioning and makes commonplace tasks, like shopping, appear overwhelming.

Help for those with autism has tended to come either from close family and loved-ones or the medical profession.

That’s about to change here, as the people of Clonakilty,in West Cork, have come together to make their town autism-friendly.

Scully’s SuperValu is leading the effort, in partnership with the autism charity, AsIam, but the whole population of the town is also on board.

Up to now, it has been the person with autism who has had to adapt to society, and often did so anxiously.

The people of Clonakilty are showing that it can work better the other way round, with shops, offices, pubs, restaurants and, above all, people adapting to the needs of those with autism.