A NATIONAL charity has urged firms in West Dunbartonshire to make their businesses more Autism friendly.

In a letter to the Post, National Autistic Society Scotland’s director Nick Ward, called for stores to hold special ‘autism hours’.

Mr Ward implored all businesses across Clydebank to take part during Autism Week, from October 5-12.

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In his letter, the director said: “Many of us take a trip to the shops for granted but for autistic people it can be overwhelming and difficult.”

“Research by our charity revealed that 64 per cent of autistic people avoid the shops and 28 per cent have been asked to leave a public place for reasons associated with their autism.

“Since we launched Autism Hour in 2017, nearly 17,000 shops and businesses have taken part and there have been over 40,000 hours with some stores committing to regular quiet hours all year long.

“The National Autistic Society Scotland wants a world that works for autistic people. By signing-up to Autism Hour, businesses in West Dunbartonshire can help to open-up the high street for the 58,000 autistic people and their families in Scotland.”

To find out more, go to autism.org.uk/autismhour.