AUTISM NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2024 COMMENT

Sad loss Steve Silberman, a journalist who championed autism rights has died. Silberman was a longtime science journalist and author of the 2015 book “NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity.” His TED Talk “The Forgotten History of Autism” has been viewed nearly 2 million times. More

Meeting needs What could schools do to better support neurodiverse girls? Autistic and ADHDer girls face distinct challenges at school. There are a number of research-backed ways they could be better understood and supported in class. More

No evidence Parents are spending $9000 on unproven magnetic e-resonance therapy, or MERT, a magnetic brain stimulation therapy. More

Safe on the web The Techosaurus Activity Pack from the NSPCC helps to make conversations about staying safe online as easy as possible. With a colouring in activity, dot-to-dot and maze game. More

Dog shoot Cameras will begin to roll this week on Rosie O’Donnell’s new documentary, “Unleashing Hope: The Power of Service Dogs for Autism.” More

Getting creative A study from the Yale Child Study Center, published in Autism Research, highlights how puppets can capture and sustain the attention of autistic children, providing a powerful tool for social engagement. More

Autism alert The Metropolitan Police is promoting its Autism Alert Card, to help autistic people better interact with officers across the capital.The card can be used by all autistic people and includes basic information such as the person’s name and contact details for an appropriate adult. The card also details information about autism and provides practical advice for officers. More

Great fit The MoveMuse chatbot is designed to motivate autistic adults and help them plan fitness goals and work past obstacles. Researchers at the University of Limerick have developed an AI chatbot to improve physical health. More

Role with it Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) are increasingly used in therapeutic and educational settings to improve the well-being of autistic people. A University of Plymouth study investigated the potential of TTRPGs to provide a safe space where autistic adults could develop relationships with others while also engaging in character and world-building. More​