A new study by the Israeli Society for Autistic Children and the Fair Chance for Children organization has found that nearly the entire Israeli public is familiar with the term "autism," but most do not know what the condition entails. The study was prepared ahead of a national fundraising effort for autistic children, set for Jan. 3. According to the study, most Israelis think that autism is relatively uncommon, believing it affects one out of every 1,000 children. The true rate is closer to one out of every 100 children. The study further found that some 82% of Israelis accept the fact that people with autism may not be able to enter the workforce. Still, 98% believe that teens with autism should be permitted to serve in the military or in national service. About one third of respondents said that they understood, to a certain extent, those who opposed having an assisted living facility for people with autism in their neighborhood. Some 73% were comfortable with having their children sit beside an autistic child at school; 97% felt positively about having a neighbor with autism; and 40% said they would try to help such a neighbor integrate into the community. Israeli Society for Autistic Children Director General Eytan Mizrahi said of the study, "It is good that young people feel positively about integration. On the other hand, I am sure that once employers become familiar with the characteristics and symptoms of the condition, they will recognize the advantages that adults with autism can bring to the workforce and the economy."
