Howgate Centre Falkirk First in Scotland to be Autism-friendly

That the Parliament congratulates the Howgate shopping centre in Falkirk on being the first in Scotland to be officially recognised as autism-friendly; understands that the National Autistic Society Scotland’s Autism Friendly Award was given to the high street shopping centre after staff took time out to learn about autism and made a number of adjustments to their working practices to ensure that visitors with autism are able to access and enjoy what the centre has to offer; notes that the centre also introduced regular sensory shopping days and created autism-friendly visitor guides to help autistic customers prepare in advance of their visit; recognises that people who are autistic experience the world differently, and often in a more intense way, which can cause additional stress and anxiety in a situation such as shopping; notes that activities that are perceived as every day events, such as shopping, cannot always be carried out by everyone, and recognises the importance of accessibility for people who are disabled or have conditions that make such activities more difficult; further congratulates the Howgate centre on its work to become truly autism-friendly, and wishes it every success for the future.