WHEN Lorraine Woodhouse and Lucy McClure embarked on a charity collection, the last thing they expected was ignorance and hurtful comments.

The pair, who both have autistic sons, wanted to raise money for Autism Anglia, which runs Doucecroft School, which has centres in Kelvedon and Eight Ash Green, among other services.

But they were met with blank expressions and even sneers at Clacton Factory Outlet.

Now Mrs Woodhouse and Mrs McClure want to raise awareness of the condition.

Mrs Woodhouse’s three-year-old son Aidan was diagnosed as being autistic in March. She struck up a friendship with Lucy McClure when they recognised similar symptoms in Aidan and Mrs McClure’s two-year-old boy Frankie.

Mrs Woodhouse, who also has three older children and lives in Wormingford, said they were alarmed by the number of people who did not appear to know anything about the condition.

She said: “One man even stopped and asked, and then sort of sneered and said: ‘If it was the RSPCA, I would have given you some money’.

“We were really upset by that, but also really amazed at the number of people who did not even know what autism is.”

Autistic spectrum disorder is a lifelong condition that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people.

It also affects how they make sense of the world around them.

The term describes a group of disorders, which include autism and Asperger’s syndrome.

Someone with autistic spectrum disorder may seem distant or detached, have little or no interest in others and find it hard to make friends. They will not seek affection in the usual way, and resist physical contact.

Mrs Woodhouse continued: “Aidan does not play with other children. He does not really have any concept of what play is and does not really talk.”

Wendy Bixby, fundraising officer for Autism Anglia, said: “People don’t really understand.

“They see small children having a tantrum in the supermarket and put it down to them being toddlers, but when it is a 15-year-old they assume it must be something parents are doing rather than a child with a disability.

“We now have cards parents can give to people to try and explain.”

Mrs Woodhouse said praised the “tremendous” support she and Mrs McClure have had from Autism Anglia, particularly its family support team.

The mums are holding a charity night at the Arena, in Circular Road East, Colchester, on Tuesday, November 17, from 7.30pm until 10pm.

Call 01206 844978 for tickets.