AUTISM NEWSLETTER JUNE 2026 COMMENT

Heart 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