A TEENAGE apprentice is taking on one of the biggest challenges of her life after being diagnosed with a form of autism.

Lesley Howard, 17, from the Calton was told she had Aspergers last year after struggling since childhood to interact with others.

Former Holyrood High school pupil Lesley always found it difficult to make friends and her unemotive behaviour would often be mistaken for rudeness.

She was tested as a youngster for autism and Aspergers but her condition wasn't picked up until last year.

Lesley, who works as a modern apprentice at Glasgow City Council's headquarters, is now planning to climb Ben Lomond to raise money for the National Autistic Society.

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She is hoping the challenge will help to teach people what autism is and generate cash to support others who also have the condition.

Lesley said: "When I first went for tests when I was younger they said I'd outsmarted the system, and they didn't find anything, but they picked it up later on.

"I was quite annoyed as I found it really hard to make friends.

"It's hard socially as you don't understand things like sarcasm, facial expressions, and it's hard to tell how someone is feeling.

"It's difficult to be sympathetic to people because you don't know how they feel.

"I can come across quite rude sometimes but I'm not meaning to be. It's just the way I am sometimes, people think you're weird."

Lesley did manage to make a best friend in Amanda Crorken while she was at school, and the pair have remained close pals for the last three years.

Amanda, 18, from Castlemilk will join Lesley on the gruelling challenge along with their mums Amanda Kerr and Lynn Howard

Lesley explained: "In school I didn't really have any friends apart from Amanda. I just did my own thing mainly.

"I was in a big group of people but I didn't really socialise with all of them.

"Amanda's been my best friend for three years so I'm really glad she's doing this with me."

The group will set off on June 25, and climb a staggering 12km up the mountain near Loch Lomond - a feet none of them have ever done before

"My mum used to work with a lot of kids with autism and Aspergers, and my neighbour has autism but his is really severe." said Lesley.

"I know he has used the National Autistic Society charity before and they've helped him.

"I want to do this to raise money for something which is helping somebody I know, and it helps people become more aware about autism."

Jenny Paterson, Director of the National Autistic Society Scotland, said: “Lesley is an amazing young woman and we are so delighted that she has chosen to raise money for us through her incredible efforts. I’ve climbed Ben Lomond myself and it’s not easy.

“Autism is a lifelong condition which affects thousands of people like Lesley across Scotland.

"Without inspirational fundraisers like her, we wouldn’t be able to continue our work helping to improve the lives of autistic people and their families.

“Good luck Lesley, it's a great view from the summit and that will make it all worthwhile.”

To support Lesley in her challenge, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Lesley-Howard4