World Autism Awareness Day: The false assumptions and what needs to change TO MARK World Autism Awareness Day today, April 2, we have sought the knowledge of Autism Wessex to find about more about the disorder. Autism affects 700,000 people in the UK and, if you include their families, it is part of daily life for some 2.8 million people. Christchurch-based Autism Wessex aims to support everyone touched by autism on their journey through life – from diagnosis to specialist education; transitioning to adulthood through further education, work or volunteering; with the provision of assisted living services and residential homes. The charity delivers much-needed services as well as providing assistance to help signpost to services through their community connector service, based at the assessment and diagnostic centre in Christchurch, Dorset.