Today marks the beginning of World Autism Awareness Week (2^nd – 8^th April) so we’d like to take this opportunity to help raise awareness and understanding of Autism.

What is autism?

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person experiences the world around them, including how they communicate with and relate to other people. Autistic people see, hear and feel the world in a different way from other people.

Around 700,000 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum and autism touches around 2.8 million people in total via familial connections.

Autism is not caused by a person’s upbringing, or social circumstances and it is not their fault. The exact cause of autism is still being investigated, but current research seems to suggest that a combination of factors, including both genetic and environmental, may account for differences in development.

Currently, there is no ‘cure’ for autism. However, there are a range of methods to assist with enabling their learning and development such as counselling and care work.

Autistic people can benefit from a timely diagnosis and early access to appropriate services and support.

How YourGP can help

Here at YourGP we work closely with Dr Lorene Amet, a professor in the field of autism with over 15 years of clinical experience who has first-hand experience through her child, now a teenager, being autistic. We do the phlebotomy on patients ​as young as 2 years old​. Through the Caudwell Trust, as well as patient self-funding, Dr Amet has the patient’s blood analysed and interpreted to determine variables such as dietary ​issues,​ sensitivities and inflammation markers allowing ​for​ ​​a targeted approach to​ ​best treatment and support.

YourGP are autism-friendly and tailor our approach to​ general environment, consultations and medical treatments ​in an attempt to allow patients and family members / carers to feel relaxed, understood and accepted.

For more information on autism​ related matters generally or to join us, and many others, supporting the National Autistic Society Campaign: Too Much Information, please visit ​their site at​ www.autism.org.uk​ ​and The Caudwell Trust at www.CaudwellChildren.com for funding, schooling, support and more​.

If you think you or a loved one may be autistic, or you would like some support, you can book an appointment with us using our online booking form. You can also call us on 0131 225 5656 or email our reception team at reception@your.gp