Bill's definition of autism 'too loose'
Posted: 22 January 2004 | Subscribe Online
The National Autistic Society Scotland has expressed fears that
children with autism could be wrongly caught up in the criminal
justice system as a result of proposed measures in the new
Antisocial Behaviour Bill.
The society said the definition of antisocial behaviour in the bill
was too loose, defining it as any behaviour likely to cause alarm
or distress to a third party.
NAS Scotland warned that some behaviours exhibited by children with
autism could be wrongly interpreted under this definition.
National co-ordinator Richard McKay said there was already a lack
of awareness about autism in the children's hearing system and the
proposed bill would only exacerbate this.
