Anna Kennedy, founder of Baston House School in Bromley, is spearheading a campaign calling on schools and colleges to take action to end the bullying autistic children often face during break-time.

The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA), the National Children’s Bureau, and Tesco Mum of the Year Anna Kenney OBE have joined forces to launch the Give Us A Break campaign as part of Autism Awareness Month 2013 in April.

The campaign calls on all schools and colleges to be particularly aware of the bullying children with autism experience in break- times at some schools.

Lauren Seager-Smith, national coordinator of ABA, said: “For children and young people with autism, break and lunchtimes in schools and colleges can be particularly daunting and can put them at risk of bullying. “Too often, these children are seen as the problem – as not fitting in or settling down. We want to see all schools take decisive action to create environments and cultures where all children feel safe and supported without fear of bullying.”

The association says figures show almost three quarters of children with an autistic spectrum condition find break-times extremely difficult and in some cases frightening.

Anna Kennedy said: “I felt a survey was needed to truly assess the extent of the problem due to the overwhelming amount of emails and messages I receive from families who are affected by this issue every day. Partnering with the ABA was the perfect opportunity to raise the profile of the problem and advise schools to take action on what is an extremely serious issue.”

Visit www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk or www.annakennedyonline.com for more information.