Last Tuesday (24 March) Scottish Autism’s Art Opportunities service visited Alloa’s New Struan School, where they presented artwork to the pupils.

The students were presented with animations that were created as part of Autism Forth Valley’s Nothing About Us Without Us project, a series of art exhibitions from children and adults who have an autism spectrum condition.

The project was organised by Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils in partnership with NHS Forth Valley, Artlink Central, Enable and other third sector organisations.

Councillor Christine Simpson, convenor of Social Care for Stirling Council, said: “These events are a fantastic way of promoting Stirling and Clackmannanshire’s Autism Strategy.

“The strategy supports children and adults with autism by ensuring there’s a clear pathway for assessment, diagnosis, care and support for individuals, their families and carers.

“We also want to make sure that people with autism are supported throughout their whole life journey to lead meaningful lives and are able to experience equal opportunities in terms of their learning, emotional and physical wellbeing, and quality of life.

“It’s important for us to support people with autism to identify and develop their skills and where possible contribute to their community through voluntary work or employment.

“I’d like to encourage everyone to come along to the exhibitions and other events. The artwork on show will be of a very high quality – congratulations to everyone involved.” The main exhibition of the works will take place at Stirling’s Tolbooth from tomorrow (Thursday 2 April), with other works exhibited at satellite venues across Stirling and the Wee County until 27 April.

Nothing About Us Without Us marks the start of a series of events that will promote autism awareness throughout April and will culminate in the launch of the Forth Valley Autism website and a local Stirling and Clackmannanshire Autism Strategy.

On 8 April the macrobert arts centre at Stirling University will host a special showing of the film X+Y, an adaption of the BBC documentary Beautiful Young Minds. X+Y tells the story of Daniel Lightwing who was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, a form of autism which affects the way a person communicates and relates to others. This will be followed by a Q&A session on autism and the issues raised by the film.

As well as the art exhibitions, there will be an information point at Forth Valley Royal Hospital from 3 to 6 April.