Dumbarton and the Vale’s MSP has pledged to help constituents with autism and make Scotland an autism-friendly nation.

Ms Baillie made the commitment at an event in Edinburgh for the National Autistic Society Scotland to support around 58,000 autistic people across Scotland.

The charity has launched its “Too Much Information” campaign to ask people across the country to learn about autism and the small behavioural changes that can be made to be more autism-friendly.

Ms Baillie said: “I have pledged to help my autistic constituents by communicating clearly and not using jargon.

“I am pleased to support The National Autistic Society Scotland’s campaign and I hope that people across Dumbarton, Vale of Leven, Helensburgh and Lomond will take time to learn about autism, a condition which affects around one in 100 people.”

The campaign follows research which reveals that 66 per cent of autistic people feel socially isolated, and 44 per cent sometimes don’t go out because of concerns about others’ reactions to their autism.

Jenny Paterson, director of The National Autistic Society Scotland, said: “Autistic people and their families have told us that increased understanding is the single biggest thing that would improve their lives.” That’s why we’re asking people to take time to learn about the small changes they can make to their behaviour that make a big difference – such as avoiding jargon and showing patience when others seem stressed or anxious.

“I am grateful to Jackie Baillie for joining us at Scottish Parliament to show her commitment to making our nation autism-friendly.”