TOMORROW is World Autism Awareness Day, and tonight’s Horizon looks into our understanding of the condition which affects more than half a million people in the world.
Despite the fact it’s 70 years since the condition was given a name, we still know very little about it.
This film focuses on pioneering developmental psychologist Professor Uta Frith, who started her training back in the 1960s, as she met a unique group of bright-eyed children who seemed completely detached from the rest of the world.
They had just been given the very new diagnosis of autism, and since then, Uta has devoted her career to studying the autistic mind.
“By spending time with many different people on the autistic spectrum, I want to show you what a complex condition it is,” remarks Ute.
She explains how autistic people perceive and interact with the world, as well as meeting those who have extraordinary talents.
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