Abu Dhabi: More than a 1,000 candles lit up Abu Dhabi Corniche on Thursday evening during the Autism Awareness Walk organised by the Future Centre for Special Needs.

People gathered to light candles and show their support for people who suffer from the condition and to their families. Abu Dhabi Police handed out T-shirts and caps to special needs children.

Children with autism generally have problems in the areas of social interaction, language and behaviour.

"We found it important to educate the community about the complexity of this disorder," Dr Mowfaq Mustafa, the centre's Director told Gulf News.