The charity polled more than 2,000 people and found that 39 per cent believe people with autism have special abilities, while 90 per cent do not realise the condition affects one per cent of people in the UK.
Comms director Benet Middleton said the charity is asking people to sign a petition calling on the UK Government to ratify a UN convention on disabled people’s rights.
The petition also calls on the Government to take action to increase awareness of autism, tackle discrimination and improve training.
