Edward Lake was diagnosed with autism very early on. His parents, former Manchester City player Paul and his mother Joanne, have been campaigning for greater awareness.
Family affair —
Edward Lake was diagnosed with autism very early on. His parents, former Manchester City player Paul and his mother Joanne, have been campaigning for greater awareness.
Joanne Lake
Edward has worn ear defenders to help him deal with the loud noises at football matches. He has at times been overcome by the sensory overload.
City's biggest fan —
Edward has worn ear defenders to help him deal with the loud noises at football matches. He has at times been overcome by the sensory overload.
Joanne Lake
Edward, now 11, is a regular visitor to Manchester City, the English Premier League champion. On one occasion he met the club's mascot.
Big day out —
Edward, now 11, is a regular visitor to Manchester City, the English Premier League champion. On one occasion he met the club's mascot.
Joanne Lake
Paul Lake was one of England's brightest prospects before injury curtailed his career in the 1990s. These days he does a lot of community work with City.
Father and son —
Paul Lake was one of England's brightest prospects before injury curtailed his career in the 1990s. These days he does a lot of community work with City.
Joanne Lake
Anna Kennedy remortgaged her own home to finance a school especially for children with autism. Her sons Angelo and Patrick both have autism and struggled in mainstream education.
Trailblazer —
Anna Kennedy remortgaged her own home to finance a school especially for children with autism. Her sons Angelo and Patrick both have autism and struggled in mainstream education.
Anna Kennedy
West Ham is just one of the clubs working with Kennedy in her anti-bullying campaign. The Premier League club has also provided training sessions for autistic children.
Helping hand —
West Ham is just one of the clubs working with Kennedy in her anti-bullying campaign. The Premier League club has also provided training sessions for autistic children.
Anna Kennedy
Veteran golf star Ernie Els is a longtime campaigner for autism awareness. His son Ben was diagnosed at an early age.
High profile —
Veteran golf star Ernie Els is a longtime campaigner for autism awareness. His son Ben was diagnosed at an early age.
David Cannon/Getty Images/file
NFL star Dan Marino, best remembered for his time with the Miami Dolphins, set up a center in Florida to help those with autism -- his son Michael was diagnosed as a child. The center, which opened in 1992, has raised over $50 million.
Dan's deal —
NFL star Dan Marino, best remembered for his time with the Miami Dolphins, set up a center in Florida to help those with autism -- his son Michael was diagnosed as a child. The center, which opened in 1992, has raised over $50 million.
Marc Serota/Getty Images
NASCAR is one of the sports which has worked with autism charities in the U.S. to raise awareness and funds.
Stepping on the gas —
NASCAR is one of the sports which has worked with autism charities in the U.S. to raise awareness and funds.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Jo Redman wasn't diagnosed with Asperger's until she was 23 -- but that hasn't stopped the Briton from becoming a world kickboxing champion.
Kicking out —
Jo Redman wasn't diagnosed with Asperger's until she was 23 -- but that hasn't stopped the Briton from becoming a world kickboxing champion.
Jo Redman