Bill Welsh: Autistic children are in every village

"We've got autistic children in every village, every city, every housing scheme in Scotland, but not only in Scotland in England, Wales, the United States of America."

He added: "Something has happened in our society."

Autistic children are usually unable to communicate normally and may suffer from learning difficulties.

Mitchell Ward, whose daughter Emma is autistic, said the condition dominates their day-to-day family life.

She said: "Everything has to be done round about Emma. You get up in the morning and you have to let her do her things.

Mitchell Ward with Emma: We have to work around her

"Everything at her time, at her pace. Basically we have to work round her all the time."

Scottish National Party MSP Lloyd Quinnan, who has given his support to the campaign, received a letter from the parents asking for better recognition of autism.

The campaign's demand for a national register of every autistic child and adult to be created was repeated so that the disorder can be monitored.

Mr Quinnan said he would try to bring the illness to the attention of the Scottish Parliament over the next few months.