South Lanarkshire Council is one of only a handful of local authorities to fly the flag, which bears a gold infinity symbol to represent the added value that autistic people bring to community and civic life.

This year it was raised by Sophie Davidson, a young autistic woman, with the assistance of  Ramon Hutchingson, Co-ordinator of South Lanarkshire’s Autism Resources Co-ordination Hub (ARCH).

In raising the flag, Sophie represented female members of the autistic community who, until recently, have often found themselves to be an under-recognised group.

Aine McCrea, the Chief Social Work Officer at South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “Here in South Lanarkshire, we have a history of supporting the autistic community, including our work to support those, such as autistic females, who have in the past been acknowledged less by society than they should have been.

“We are proud to show our backing for International Autism Pride Day through the flag that is flying high outside our headquarters, as the day itself helps to remind people of the positive contribution that autistic people make in so many ways.

“However, even more important is the fact that we will be continuing to demonstrate the authority’s long-standing commitment to promoting awareness and greater visibility for all of our neurodivergent community members and to supporting them and their families in any way we can.”

This year is also significant locally in being the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Autism Resources Co-ordination Hub, which offers a focal point for those with a neurodivergent condition, their carers and anyone working to provide support for them.

Aine added: “During the ten years, ARCH has continued to work collaboratively with interested stakeholders in all sectors and has provided services driven by the needs of the autistic community.

“We are proud of the success it has achieved over those years and look forward to it going from strength to strength, and helping more people in more ways as it moves into its second decade.”