Lovable islander

I aM dismayed at columnist Jan Moir’s attitude towards autistic Love Island contestant Niall aslam (Mail).

It is incorrect to refer to autism as a ‘mental disorder’; it is a lifelong developmental disability, not a mental health problem. People are born autistic and it’s part of who they are.

Why suggest that Niall’s autism should have prevented him from taking part in Love Island? He was one of the most lovable contestants.

His presence on this popular show will have changed a few attitudes because he challenged the prevailing harmful stereotype of an autistic person as inevitably being a loner who is unable to make friends or to socialise. Perpetuating such myths contributes to the social isolation of autistic people.

JANE HARRIS, National Autistic

Society, London EC1.