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All Things Considered this week looks at the relationship between autism and religion.

Imagine what it's like. A person smiles at you - you're confused because you don't understand a smile. You can't get your usual breakfast cereal - your whole day is in disarray because you can't cope with your routine being upset. And someone tells you to pull your socks up. But you know you're not wearing socks, and it's very bewildering.

Not quite as funny as it sounds if you happen to be among the half a million people in Britain with some degree of autism. Some are severely disabled and need constant attention, but others keep their condition hidden and are high achievers: in business or as academics, for instance.

A symposium in Cardiff this week is exploring an area which has received very little attention - how people with autism relate to religion; and the reception they receive in churches and other faith communities.

Joining Roy Jenkins to discuss some of the issues are three people taking part in the symposium who also have personal experience of living and working with people with autism: Prof. Christine Trevett of the school of Religious and Theological Studies at Cardiff University; Dr. Brian Brock, Lecturer in Moral and Practical Theology at the University of Aberdeen, and Dr. Mitzi Waltz, who lectures in autism studies at the University of Birmingham.

Related websites & helplines:

• - The All-Wales Autism Resource
• Autism Helpline 0845 0704004