Part of the funding will pay for a study into autism

The bulk of the Scottish Executive money will go to the Greater Glasgow and Lothian health boards.

They will each receive �750,000, spread over three years, to develop "one-stop shops" for adults with autism, and for families struggling with the disorder.

And a further �300,000 will be spent on information packs for families and for professionals who deal with autism.

Deputy health minister Tom McCabe said the information packs, which were developed by a family in Argyll, had been well received.

"This is the only pack that pulls together all relevant material for families and professionals," he said.

We are pleased that the executive has responded to some of our key concerns, such as the need for autism training for health and care workers Robert McKay National Autistic Society Scotland

"I know it has been much appreciated in Argyll and I hope others across Scotland will see the benefit too."

Other elements of the new push include spending �53,000 on a study into autism at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill, in Glasgow, and �80,000 on developing new educational resources for health workers.

Isobel Sutherland, the acting chief executive of the Scottish Society for Autism, said she was particularly delighted with funding for training.

And Robert McKay, national co-ordinator of the National Autistic Society Scotland, said: "We welcome the Executive's recognition that the needs of people with autism and their families in Scotland are a priority, particularly after diagnosis when many families tell us that they struggle to access local advice and information.