A leading expert on autism is visiting Cumbria today to talk to parents, carers and professionals about understanding and communicating with people with learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorder.

Phoebe Caldwell will be at the Shepherd's Inn, Rosehill, Carlisle at 7pm. The event, held during National Autism Awareness Week, has been jointly organised by Cumbria Social Services and The North Cumbria Autistic Society.

Phoebe began working in occupational therapy 25 years ago, looking at the then little known area of communication. She has written three books on the subject and produced a number of training videos, used all over the world.

Autism is a communication disorder that is thought by some to be caused by a metabolic disorder.

Sheila Sutherland, head of Cumbria social services child and family teams said: "I am delighted to welcome such an eminent autism communications specialist to Cumbria. I'm sure that the conference will be informative and very helpful to all those who attend."