Letters&Opinion

O we understand autism? I reckon not. There was a fascinating programme about autism on the BBC this week.

- 

Ladybirds by Samsul Mehedi Send your photos to [e-mail]

It seems that around one in 50 people are autistic, which means their brain interprets information differently to the 49 others. It's not better, or worse, it's just different. There is ignorance and discrimination against minorities, that is why we have laws to protect people.

Watch out for bigoted, ignorant abusers. Follow the simple golden rule - treat other people as you would want to be treated yourself. If you want respect yourself, show it to others. This is civilised living.

There are too many "woke" activists who are ignorant of the Equality Act 2010 in all its elements. The laws of the land are not a "pick and mix" thing - all aspects of the Equality Act 2010 apply, whether you are in that category or not. Whether you agree with it, or not.

Other people have rights. Don't violate those rights. Don't violate other people's basic dignity; respect differences. It's in the law and it's civilised living. It's The Golden Rule. For autism, that means respecting differences of outlook. One in 50 people is autistic. Let's respect eccentricity and difference. It won us World War Two. Look at how it contributed to British technological genius! Without the benefit of the autistic outlook, we could not have "thought beyond the box" and come up with new, Nazi-beating inventions.

TJ Martin via email