According to the World Health Organisation about 1 in 100 children have autism. Although small characteristics can be detected during early childhood, it is usually not diagnosed until later in the child’s life. These stars have have all opened up about the challenges and joys of raising autistic children in a bid to raise awareness of the condition…

Jenny McCarthy’s son Evan was diagnosed with autism at the age of two and the actress has raised awareness on the topic ever since, even by doing some research about the spectrum disorder. During an interview with Time magazine in 2010, Jenny revealed a couple of improvements Evan has made following a treatment and said that “now he talks and makes eye contact”.

In the 1980s, 'Rocky' star Sylvester Stallone discussed his son Seargeoh’s autism with PEOPLE, something that made headlines as the condition was rarely spoken about at the time. He said: “With a child like this you have to put away your ego. You can’t force him into your world. I sort of go along with whatever he is doing."

In 2016, 'The Irishman' star pulled his controversial film ‘Vaxxed: From Cover-up to Conspiracy’ about vaccines and autism from the Tribeca Film Festival after being faced with backlash. In De Niro’s defence the Oscar winner revealed his oldest son Elliot, 24 - who he shares with wife Grace Hightower - has autism and felt strongly about the topic.

In 2007, the ’21 Jump Street' star – who is married to husband Rodney Peete – opened up about her son RJ's autism diagnosis. She told PEOPLE in 2018: “When I look back and see RJ, this strapping young man who’s 20 and has a job - he’s doing all these things that I was told he would never do. “It really makes you emotional, because I can’t believe he’s come so far, and I’m still so blessed.”

Toni Braxton’s youngest son Diezel was diagnosed with autism at an early age. The singer, however, surprised her fans during an interview with Access Hollywood in 2016, by saying she "is one of the lucky parents" because her son was no longer considered autistic. Over the past years Diezel has been building his career in the modelling world.

The former 'Real Housewives of New Jersey’ star confirmed that her son Nicholas had been diagnosed with autism in 2012. Jacqueline is glad that she had a platform to raise awareness of the condition. She said: “I love having the opportunity to be able to show people [what it’s like to live with autism]. “Because honestly, what’s given me strength is listening to everyone else’s stories, their struggles, their successes. That’s what gives us hope and strength, so if I can do that for someone else, then it feels so good to me.”

The comedian’s adopted daughter Dakota was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. In a moving letter, Rosie opened up about the challenges and joys of her child's condition. She wrote: "Dakota’s autism forces me to see the world from a completely different place. She’s a gift from another dimension. The things she knows - about sea anemones and tide pools. I got to 60 not knowing about the Mariana Trench. She teaches me. To be able to see the world as she does - for me, it’s been a wonderfully magical experience. I’m so glad we have each other.”

The ‘Entourage’ star told the world about his daughter’s autism inspiring him to become an advocate for other autistic children. Gary - who has Mary, 28, with late wife Teddi Siddall - said Mary was just 18 months old when she was first diagnosed. He said: “When my daughter Mary was diagnosed with autism in 1995 all I had to go on was 'Rain Man'. "Mary didn't process information like you or I do, and did not pick up on social cues. “It seems you can ask any friend, any relative and they’ll be able to tell you about someone they know with autism. Or direct you to a good doctor who can help.”

The ‘Elementary’ star blamed his daughter's autism on her being vaccinated, insisting that she was a normal child when she was born. Aidan said Mia suffered an adverse reaction to the vaccination she had as a baby which has resulted in severe autism that requires Mia to be looked after in a special needs family facility.

The 71-year-old fashion designer and wife Dee revealed that three of their seven children have autism and opened up about raising autistic kids as they offered advice to other parents. Their children’s diagnosis even inspired the couple to become a part of the Autism Speaks foundation. Tommy said: "Our son was counting steps at one-and-a-half years old and at two, he stopped counting, stopped speaking. He was babbling quite a bit and then just stopped. "So we had him tested and obviously, it was a bit of a shock. But once you get over the shock, you then plan to do something about it."