ABERYSTWYTH-BASED charity Autism Cymru is taking a leading role in an historic Celtic nations partnership aimed at providing better support and information to people with autism, their families and to those who work with them. The objective of the Celtic Nations Autism Partnership, launched at the Welsh Assembly Government in Cardiff on 30 January, is to share ideas, good practice and research, and to work collaboratively to improve the lives of people with autism, and their families. Hugh Morgan, chief executive of Autism Cymru, said: 'I am delighted that the lead autism charities of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are setting an example to the autism movement across Europe. "We are demonstrating that there are clear benefits to working together, to the sharing of practice, skills and knowledge. "The formation of the Celtic Nations Autism Partnership is there simply to try to provide better support and information to people with autism, their families and to those who work with them." The partnership launch was also attended by Jane Davidson (Minister for education, lifelong learning and skills), John McDonald (chief executive, Scottish Society for Autism), Arlene Cassidy (chief executive, Autism Northern Ireland) Lord Maginnis, and Hugh Morgan (Autism Cymru). The event also included the launch of the WAG's strategic action plan for autism. And the new Celtic Nations Autism Partnership will, in effect, have three major launch events - one in each country - for people with autism, parents, politicians and service providers. The Cardiff event, hosted by Autism Cymru's President, Baroness Royall, also coincided with the launch of the WAG's long-awaited consultation on its Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Strategic Action Plan for Wales. Autism affects the way individuals are able to understand and use non-verbal and verbal communication, to interact socially with others, and to think and behave flexibly. There are currently around 20,000 children and adults with autism in Wales. And some 1 in 50 people in Wales are connected with autism through family and friends, or in a professional capacity.