Thu, 10 Sep 2026 23:35:27 +0100WeeblyWed, 19 Aug 2026 10:11:22 GMThttp://positiveaboutautism.co.uk/autism-news/august-19th-2026Living Authentically A West Cumbrian author is set to publish her debut book exploring her experience of being diagnosed with autism aged 40. Laura McGarrickwill publish The Parts That Had To Hide: An Autistic Perspective On Survival, Adaptation And Living More Authentically on September 1 with Pesky Publishing. More

ADHD or Autism? A digital tool first released in 2023 uses a touchpad computer like an iPhone or iPad to effectively screen young children for autism at scale, promising to open the door for support and intervention earlier than previously possible. But doctors and researchers developing the tool wanted to know whether conditions like ADHD might be challenging detection in some cases. More

Cancer LD:NorthEast has been awarded a CARE grant from Macmillan Cancer Support as part of a new initiative by the national cancer charity. People with learning disabilities often face additional barriers when accessing healthcare, understanding information and participating in decisions about their care. More

Science strengths “Autism gives me unconventional research ideas” What is everyday life like for someone on the autism spectrum working as a lecturer and researcher at ETH Zurich? Ghislain Fourny talks about his passion for education and science, his strengths – and the challenges that often remain invisible to others. More

Still getting it wrong US President Donald Trump has been criticised for spreading misinformation about autism after signing an order that separates out the childhood MMR (mumps, measles and rubella) vaccine and making reference to “high rates of autism”. The order also recommends that the number of childhood vaccines drop to 11 from the existing 18 recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). More

War and autism Continuous bombardment poses a direct threat to the nervous systems of autistic children. In Gaza, constant explosions have driven severe behavioural relapses, including total sleep deprivation, wandering from tents, panic attacks, and self-harm. More

Over-representation There are longstanding problems with the government's counter-extremism programme, Prevent, in relation to autism. Nearly one in five people referred to Britain's controversial Prevent counter-extremism programme had autism recorded as a condition, according to new Home Office figures, raising fresh concerns over the scheme's impact on neurodivergent people. More

Broadly criticised There are claims that the diagnostic criteria for autism have become too broad. Uta Frith’s assertions that the concept of an autism spectrum has become meaningless haven’t gone down well with the autistic community itself. More

Tech time Ciara Ousley, assistant professor of special education and communication disorders (University of Nebraska), recently evaluated the effects of embedding communication technology within storybook reading and play time with young autistic children, ages 2-5, who have limited to no vocal speech. Ousley found significant increases in children’s joint engagement levels when these strategies were introduced. More



]]>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 08:20:38 GMThttp://positiveaboutautism.co.uk/autism-news/autism-newsletter-june-2026-comment6233691Heart n Soul Allsorts, based at The Albany in south-east London, brings together adults with learning disabilities and autistic people to take part in creative sessions led by artists. The programme changes each week, and no two sessions look the same. More

Seeing you Awareness is one thing, but acceptance is another. For Mark Wright, it all started when his daughter drew an apple. More

Health equality Autistic women say smear tests can leave them feeling distressed, dismissed and in pain, with some avoiding them altogether out of anxiety. Research funded by Cancer Research Wales will assess how barriers to cervical screening for autistic women can be removed. More

School memories Anna Higgins felt she never really fitted in at school. She assumed the experience was confusing and overwhelming to everyone. Only when she received an autism diagnosis in her 20s did she begin to appreciate her school days had been particularly challenging - making her aware she may have struggled to fulfil her potential. More

Inclusive touch  Princess Anne was the guest of honour at a tag rugby competition for players with learning disabilities. Tag Fest 26 was organised by the charity Wooden Spoon, which aims to build inclusion through the sport - the Princess Royal is the charity's patron. More

Safeguarding fails Since 2016 the CQC, the independent regulator of health and social care in England, has prosecuted just 11 providers relating to the care of people with learning disabilities, despite the fact that care can fall short and negligence is a reality. More

Autistic strength “Last year, over spring break, I took my then 10-year-old son to Disneyland. For years, I had been reluctant to visit the park, unsure of how my son, who is autistic, would handle the large crowds, long lines, and sensory overload. I needn’t have worried.” More

Health help A three-year plan focused on prevention, independence, and community care has been launched to transform support for people with learning disabilities and autism in Birmingham and Solihull. The strategy sets out 10 key areas for action, with a central ambition to reduce avoidable hospital admissions and enhance preventive services. More

Soccer sacks A football association has teamed up with an autism charity to create and distribute sensory bags across the local football community. The Jersey Football Association and Autism Jersey have launched the bags containing items that could help children and adults self-regulate in over-stimulating environments. More

Saving lives The Zero Suicide Alliance (a national initiative hosted by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust has launched ‘Autism and Suicide Awareness Training’. It’s designed to coach people through spotting the signs and supporting an autistic person. More

Change the system In a new report the Autism Alliance UK makes one overriding point: that to genuinely improve lives and outcomes for autistic children, young people and adults, governments across the UK must invest in systemic change, addressing the deep barriers faced by autistic people which have been present for decades. More

Inclusion and Ofsted Assessing inclusion is rarely straightforward when determining whether a school’s approach is genuinely improving the experiences of vulnerable students. More

Signs of success A former Royal Marine who admits he "couldn't cope" with his autistic son not talking has hailed a communication system for helping him find his voice. Three years ago, the family were introduced to Makaton, which uses signs, symbols and speech to help people of all ages who need support. More
]]>Sun, 17 May 2026 08:45:18 GMThttp://positiveaboutautism.co.uk/autism-news/autism-newsletter-june-2026-commentCare with figures Some of the ‘results’ from a recent NI autism study need thought and careful interpretation. More
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Care failing A coroner has said there was a lost opportunity in the care of a 32-year-old man at a hospital that "materially contributed" to his death. For 14 days Tom Parsons  was not given his prescribed blood-thinning injections because of safety fears about administering them. More

Spectrum gazing There’s been a lot of debate recently about the nature of (or even the existence of) the ‘autism spectrum’. PBS explore some of the issues in this video. More

First art Portsmouth has hosted it’s first-ever learning disability arts festival, celebrating creativity, inclusion and connection. More

Behind the rapper Professor Green, real name Stephen Manderson, has long been open about his mental health difficulties and has joined up with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy which reports seven in 10 men don’t seek support until they hit crisis point. More

Emotionally available Cat Burns is an award-winning British singer-songwriter from Streatham, south London. She talks to the National Autistic Society about life and who has shown up for her as an autistic person. More

Sight right A pioneering school-based eye care service will soon help children with learning disabilities and autism across Essex access essential eye tests and vision support in a way that is easier, more accessible and better suited to their needs. More

Policy change NHS Coventry and Warwickshire has made changes to it’s assessment protocol. Where a clinician makes a referral for both ADHD and autism, a patient should receive a dual ADHD and autism assessment providing it is clinically appropriate. This will benefit patients by reducing the number of appointments before a full diagnosis, help to avoid unnecessary delays, and support a better understanding of their full neurodevelopmental profile. More

No link Taking antidepressants during pregnancy does not increase the likelihood of children going on to develop autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to an analysis of more than half a million pregnancies. More

Book recommendation Cynthia Kim shares all the uniqueness of being autistic in this accessible, witty and honest guide. More


]]>Sun, 03 May 2026 10:41:45 GMThttp://positiveaboutautism.co.uk/autism-news/autism-newsletter-may-2026-commentSeen on screen Why are these British soaps so lacking in autistic representation for women? More

Work help A council has started a drive to create more autism-friendly workplaces in its area. Wiltshire Council is asking people to take part in surveys to help it find out what employers are doing, gather examples of good practice and discover what support would be helpful. It is also asking autistic employees what could be improved. More

Meeting halfway Your child’s teacher spends five to six hours with him each day. She doesn’t know him like you do, but she sees things you can’t — or won’t. Here’s advice from real parents and teachers who found ways to work together that really benefited everyone. More

Journey to self A doctor recently diagnosed with autism and ADHD has spoken about her struggle to understand and accept her condition - and the values and challenges it brings to her work. More

Canine comfort An author who writes children's books about neurodiversity said she would have loved to have read those types of stories as an autistic girl. Lin Fidgin's story about a Labrador with autism draws upon her own lived experience of feeling "out of sync with the world" and having sensory differences, comfort in repetition and routine, and struggling in social situations. More

Important announcement Commuters on SMRT’s rail network may have noticed a different voice on station platforms from 10 to 12 April. The voice belongs to eight-year-old Muhammad Khalif Bin Muhammad Khair Abdillah, a student from Rainbow Centre Yishun Park School who is on the autism spectrum. More

Differences alike Recent research reveals that autism and ADHD may not sit in separate boxes at all. Instead, they may overlap in ways that start deep inside the brain. More

Being a mom ‘There are hard days. Days where the world feels like it was not built with your children in mind. Spaces that are overwhelming. Expectations that do not bend. Moments where you feel the gap between what exists and what your children need. Days where you are tired in a way that is hard to explain.” More


]]>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:54:50 GMThttp://positiveaboutautism.co.uk/autism-news/autism-newsletter-march-2026Diagnosis doubted The National Autistic Society has warned that a recent Government review risks fuelling an "increasingly polarised debate", with "too much attention placed on questioning people's motivations for seeking a diagnosis”. More

Novel voice As a child, Woody Brown was underestimated, infantilised and dismissed by specialists and teachers. Now 28, he has written an acclaimed debut novel set in an adult day care centre that gives people like him a voice. More
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Autism alert More than 5,500 autistic people now carry a Thames Valley Autism Alert Card, and Autism Berkshire, the charity behind the scheme, is keen to increase take-up during Autism Acceptance Week 2026. More

Sensory need An 11-year-old primary school student has started a petition calling on the government to ensure there is a sensory area in every classroom for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). More

Talking Head With his eccentric style and quirky stage presence, David Byrne, the iconic frontman of the band Talking Heads, emerged as one of the most distinctive figures in ‘70s and ‘80s music. He discusses his experiences of being on the autism spectrum throughout his career, emphasising both challenges and creative advantages linked to being autistic. More

Award Hillingdon Council is celebrating after its Youth Justice Service became the first in the country to achieve national recognition by a charity for its work to improve support for autistic people. More

Open comic Hundreds of autistic people from around the UK have helped shape new guidance on how to make comic festivals and conventions welcoming. Researchers were taken aback by how many fans took part in an online survey on the issue, as part of the University of Cambridge project. More

Art works Emy is proof that misconceptions are usually very wrong. Her artwork appeals to people all over the world, without the need for words. Emy and her one-to-one support worker, India
– on how Emy’s art has built connection and communication. More
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More inclusive Specialist resource centers (a form of "Inclusion Base") within mainstream secondary schools may be linked to stronger academic progress, improved attendance, and a greater sense of belonging for autistic pupils, according to a new three-year study from the University of Surrey, published in the journal Autism. More​

]]>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 06:22:24 GMThttp://positiveaboutautism.co.uk/autism-news/autism-newsletter-february-2026-commentGender numbers Is autism really a male-dominated condition? a new study suggests women have it just as often, but are diagnosed later in life. More

Fake ‘treatments’ The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) quietly removed a webpage that warned the public about dangerous products and therapies falsely claiming to treat autism. More

Safer future Faster diagnosis and tailored mental health support is needed to help prevent suicides among people with autism, a report has found.The study led by Bournemouth University analysed more than 4,000 responses from autistic people who had thoughts of suicide, as well as from people who have been bereaved. More

Training works A study published in the Journal of Research in Childhood Education showed that a novel autism training program among early education providers was feasible and well-received. The program successfully improved the providers’ knowledge of autism and how to navigate resources to support children with autism. More

Adapted applause Silent clapping, often referred to as "jazz hands," is becoming popular as a way to make events more neurodivergent friendly. A new study from Karolinska Institutet shows that both neurodivergent and neurotypical people are generally positive towards the practice, although opinions vary widely. More

SEND battle Sara Donnelly is a former headteacher and a mother of two children who both have special educational needs and difficulties (SEND). Her daughter Ava, who is 10, was out of school for months because mainstream school was not able to meet her needs and the family had to fight for a place in a specialist setting. More

Rhyme time If you’ve never tried a sensory story with children in your school/setting, try out this free one. More

More labels? Autistic individuals should be described in many other ways: how about friend, neighbour, relative, colleague, community member, partner, employee, parent… More

Legal question Should police officers be provided with condition-specific training in autism? NPAA Head of Policy Adam O’Loughlin considers the arguments for and against. More

More talk Ask your child’s school to chuck the crayons and bin the biros for No Pens Day on Wednesday 20 May – the chattiest fundraising challenge around. More

Good advice The National Autistic Society has teamed up with Access Social Care, a charity that specialises in legal advice for people in England with social care needs, to help autistic people and their families access easy-to-understand health and social care information at the click of a button. More
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Drug discussions Effective conversations about medication for autistic children and young people and those with a learning disability are vital. More​

]]>Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:43:17 GMThttp://positiveaboutautism.co.uk/autism-news/autism-newsletter-january-2026-commentWhat happened? 2025 was a monumentally challenging year for US scientists in general and for autism researchers in particular. Take a look at The Autism Science Foundation’s research round-up. More

Reading between the lines A new study sheds light on the effectiveness of multiple strategies designed to enhance social inferential reading comprehension for young autistic students. More

That’s magic A young south Warwickshire entrepreneur and autism advocate is celebrating his latest accolade after being voted Best Wedding Magician. The news also follows the launch of Angus's first book 'Naughty or Neurodiverse: An Aspie's Road To Magic' following his journey from misunderstood child to professional magician. More

Town tales Autism Friendly Killarney has launched a new six-part video series showcasing how the town’s community, schools, event organisers and businesses are working together to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for autistic people. More

Beautiful mind From dismantling online games as a child to uncovering real-world vulnerabilities, Katie Paxton-Fear explains how autism, curiosity, and a rejection of ambiguity shaped her path into ethical hacking. More

Award due Dr Judith Gould has been appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the New Year Honours List 2026. Dr Gould’s partnership with the late Dr Lorna Wing OBE in the 1970s led to the concept of the autism ‘spectrum’, a foundation of public understanding which changed the way the world viewed autism. More

Rock on Ultimate Thunder, a Leeds-based group of musicians with learning disabilities and autism, is campaigning to raise new funds for their behind-the-scenes documentary. More

Picture news Temple Grandin is one of four new portraits at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., showcasing this year’s recipients of the Portrait of a Nation award for their transformative contributions to American history and culture. More

Stage set An autistic student who "communicates through dance" has earned a place at a top UK dance school. Ross Hoey, 20, from Glasgow, achieved a dream spot at the highly prestigious Rambert School in London. Ross, who is also dyslexic, graduated from Glasgow Clyde College where his dazzling performances as an HND Dance Artist developed him into a gifted dancer and choreographer. More

Health help Dental experts have teamed up with the parents of autistic youngsters to create an online advice centre to help them look after their children's teeth. More

Correlation isn’t causation Is there a link between autism and being transgender? While transgender people are more likely to be diagnosed with autism, there is no proven causation between the two. Autism, like gender dysphoria, has no one single cause, but can be attributed to multiple genetic, biological, and environmental factors. More

Alternative facts A major new review has put hundreds of alternative autism treatments under the microscope—and most didn’t hold up. More

]]>Thu, 18 Dec 2025 10:17:41 GMThttp://positiveaboutautism.co.uk/autism-news/autism-newsletter-december-2025-commentRevealing numbers The increased rates of autism, ADHD, and other mental health conditions are evidence of decades of unmet need argues Rowan Humphries-Massey. More

Identity question A recent US study has concluded that there is no consensus as to whether individuals with autism prefer identity first language. More

Accurate picture? In recent years, the way autism is portrayed in media has become a subject of intense scrutiny and discussion. Numerous pundits argue that these representations often fail to encapsulate the reality of the autistic experience. More

History lesson A strange and largely forgotten trip to the USSR in 1963 offers historical context to RFK Jr.’s thinking about autism. More

Make work work A systematic review of workplace accommodations and employment outcomes among employees with autism has concluded that employers should not view accommodations as optional extras but rather as essential components of an accessible workplace design. More

Calmer Christmas London campaign agency DOJO UK has partnered with Autistica, the UK’s leading autism research and campaigning charity, to launch All Is Calm — a campaign that highlights how Christmas can be a challenging time for autistic people. More

Evidence again A new review by the WHO reaffirms the conclusions from its previous reviews that the available high-quality scientific evidence indicates that vaccines, including those with thiomersal or aluminium or both, do not cause autism. More

Ad ban The UK’s advertising watchdog has cracked down on products being promoted online that it says falsely promise to diagnose prostate cancer and treat autism and ADHD. More

Sibling story For most of his life, Helen’s brother John didn’t know he was autistic. He was diagnosed in the 1970s — a time of limited understanding of neurodiversity. He was born during a time that didn't have the understanding of autism, neurodiversity and mental health management we have now. John felt like he was an outsider; he believed he was a misfit in most people's eyes. More

​First prize Nnena Kalu has won this year's Turner Prize, the UK's most high-profile art award, for her "bold and compelling" sculptures and drawings - and has made history as the first artist with a learning disability to win. More

Source of safety A new autism and neurodiversity resource is now available to help ensure road safety education is more accessible and inclusive for autistic people. Developed by Co-Pilot in partnership with the National Autistic Society, the resource supports road safety professionals to create learning experiences that recognise and respond to the needs of autistic learners. More


]]>Tue, 11 Nov 2025 12:52:39 GMThttp://positiveaboutautism.co.uk/autism-news/autism-newsletter-november-2025-commentIsolation incidents One in 12 secondary pupils report being put into school isolation rooms at least once a week where they often spend in excess of eight hours, missing more than a full day of lessons, according to research. Children with special educational needs were more than twice as likely to be placed in isolation. More

School fight Support for children with special educational needs in England is fundamentally flawed, a major new report says. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) says there should be more comprehensive support in mainstream schools which young people can access more easily without a lengthy assessment process. More

Crisis in care The family of a disabled man who died after not being given any food for nine days whilst being treated in an NHS hospital has told ITV News “we thought he was having nutrition… but as it turns out, they were starving him”. This comes as an ITV News investigation has revealed a crisis in the care of learning disabled and autistic people. More

SENDsational Season A disability advocate and campaigner from Hull wants to make sure young people with disabilities and their families do not miss out on the magic this Christmas. Adam Nielsen is organising the city’s first SENDsational Christmas market in December. More

Glow for it! Thousands gathered to light up Stormont Estate over the weekend in a vibrant show of support for autism. The annual Glow Walk took place on Saturday evening, with proceeds going to support Autism NI’s services across Northern Ireland. More

Accessibility rewarded A museum has been awarded the National Autistic Society's Autism Friendly Award for its work to ensure it is accessible to people with different needs. Exeter City Council's Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery (RAMM) said it had met the standards needed to ensure it offered an industry approved autism-friendly environment. More

No more masking This month, 70 academics and practitioners from all over the world came together in Rome,  to be the voice within the Church for differently abled people and their families. "Masking worked (sometimes) in public but it cost me everything in private. " More

Write on! A grandmother has created a series of books to help her non-verbal granddaughter living with autism to express her feelings. Joann Jones, from Bristol, said she decided to publish her stories across the UK after seeing how transformative they were for five year old Zaeah. More

Art like family An art studio for autistic artists in Kent, south-east England, is thriving, selling more than 70 works in its latest exhibition while offering a space for creativity and connection. More

]]>Wed, 15 Oct 2025 08:39:12 GMThttp://positiveaboutautism.co.uk/autism-news/autism-newsletter-october-2025-commentIt’s a sign! Today, over 100,000 children and adults use Makaton symbols and signs, either as their main method of communication or as a way to support speech. Try the sign of the week. More

Aftercare A Labour MP will urge the Government to set out specifics of how it will provide support to people with autism and learning disabilities when they leave mental health hospitals, sometimes after being there for several years. More

School and you A new research project aims to explore the experiences of autistic young people who have struggled to attend school. Participants aged 13-17 years can take the survey that lasts five minutes. More

Shop provides purpose A man who sometimes "would not leave" his room says working inside a shop staffed by those with disabilities is helping him back into a stable routine. Wear, a vintage clothes shop and cafe, has taken over an empty unit in Sunderland to help overcome a "lack of opportunities" in the workplace. More

Go game Two free computer games designed for autistic children as part of a collaboration between MotionInput Games and the National Autistic Society are now available to download and play. More

Autistic and proud King Charles' cousin who became first royal to reveal she has autism announces she is starting a PhD at a prestigious London university. More

Securing support After being diagnosed with autism at 56, Peter Baimbridge has been on a journey to support others with the condition through the charity he founded, Salford Autism. He explained how the charity works to support people across Salford and Greater Manchester, but raised concerns that the level of help available to people with the neurodevelopmental condition has declined in recent years. More

Blame again There are echoes of mother-blaming in how President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are now talking about autism, pregnancy and vaccines. “This isn’t the first time moms have been blamed for their kids’ autism”, writes Sara Luterman. More
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Social connection A woman has admitted she "had no friends" and "didn't really go out of the house" before discovering a charity for people with high functioning autism. Tea Griffiths has been a member of Aspie, based in Worcester, for three years and claimed it gave her a social life. More

Assessment in crisis A “system-wide” crisis in support for autistic people and those with ADHD and autism requires a nationwide response from across health and social care services, Scotland’s psychiatrists have warned. The Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) in Scotland says continuing with the current approach to assessment and support for ADHD and autism is ‘not sustainable’ and ‘a fundamentally different, society-wide response’ is now needed. More

Age problem Older autistic people need more help after years of misdiagnosis. Research estimates 90% of Britons over 50 with autism aren’t getting the right support and face added difficulties. More



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