ALLOA-BASED charity Scottish Autism has launched a new campaign to highlight the positive impact of its work on the lives of those with the condition.

Valued and Autistic aims to demonstrate that autistic people have something valuable to teach society, and showcase how SA strives to ensure their skills, talents and aspirations are realised.

The campaign features a range of videos, which are available to watch online and were created by Iceberg Productions – a group of filmmakers who have autism.

The videos all showcase the various aspects of Scottish Autism’s (SA) work, and feature interviews with a number of the charity’s service users talking about how the group has supported them.

The campaign was officially launched at the St Enoch Centre in Glasgow on Monday, April 1, where SA will have a stall providing information about their services until Friday, April 5.

The campaign coincides with the start of Autism Awareness Month, which runs throughout April.

Speaking about the importance of the charity’s work, SA’s deputy chief executive, Charlene Tait, said: “Feeling valued is fundamental to everyone’s wellbeing and self-esteem, and this is the key theme of this year’s campaign.

“Autistic people are at the heart of everything we do, with the recognition that each of our supported individuals has something valuable to teach us.

“Feeling valued requires that someone demonstrates that they have seen worth in you, and your contribution.

“In order for the people we support to feel valued, we not only listen to their wants, needs and aspirations but, with enabling support, help them to achieve what is meaningful to them.”

When asked about what it was like to get involved with the Valued and Autistic campaign, Emma from Iceberg Productions said: “It’s been fun. My favourite bit was seeing the edited versions of the films.

“I just think it’s more realistic than being put on a conveyor belt and put to one side. It shows people with autism can do things like making films.”

To find out more details about Scottish Autism's Valued and Autistic campaign, and to see their new videos, visit tinyurl.com/y6cmtap9