Autistic kids 'left behind'

The education system is failing autistic children and changes must be made to help teachers understand developmental differences, an autism advocate says.

Social stigma, intolerance and ignorance hold back children suffering from varying degrees of autism, Autism New Zealand chief executive Alison Molloy said on the eve of Autism Appeal Week.

One in 100 New Zealand children suffers from some form of autism, which affects social and communication skills and development.