Doha • The Autism Awareness Campaign of Britain has praised Qatar for highlighting a range of issues related to autism, says a report.

There are 60 million people with autism around the world; many have no access to public services in education, health, specialist speech therapy and respite care.

Ivan Corea, head of the Autism Awareness Campaign Britain said: "Qatar is blazing a trail to help children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. I want to pay tribute to H H Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned for doing so much for world autism. She supported the first ever United Nations World Autism Awareness Day recently. Qatar sponsored the resolution and WAAD was a huge success around the world. I now urge Qatar to help the poor, where autism is concerned, there are millions who are suffering without access to basic public services," he said.

The Autism Awareness Campaign UK was set up in 2000 by parents and carers of a young boy with autism, Charin Corea. Their idea of designating 2002 as Autism Awareness Year in the UK was supported by 800 British organizations. The campaign has the full support of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Recently over 200 Britsh MPs signed three early day motions in the House of Commons backing the autism campaign. Many are calling for action on autism around

the world.

Autism campaigners have called on United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to launch a world autism strategy, convene a UN Autism Conference in 2009 in order to connect with world leaders on autism and for UN agencies such as UNICEF and the UNDP to help the poor in Africa and Asia.