Age and autism Do autistic people get the same age related problems as neurotypicals? University College London researchers have published new research. More

Play boost Whole body play may help thinking skills in children. Research published in the journal Disability and Rehabilitation found that children who engaged in whole-body movement saw improved executive functioning. More

DOGE does damage The Trump Administration have reduced funding available for autism research despite pledging to ‘find the cause of autism’ by September! Key research projects—some of which were midway through completion are in trouble as a result. More 

Work rewarded An intensive care unit has received an internationally recognised award after being nominated by a patient. Kirstie Pope, 31, is autistic and said Kettering General Hospital deserved a Daisy Team Award for the care she received. More 

Type to talk Can AR technology help nonspeaking autistic people communicate? The HoloBoard augmented-reality system lets people type independently. More

Smart solution A new app has been launched which uses Artificial Intelligence (AI), to give carers who suspect their children are neurodivergent, "a better picture of what's going on" whilst waiting for a diagnosis. More 

Autism curve Diagnoses of autism have been rising exponentially. Arguments and conspiracy theories abound about why. So what's behind that steep upwards curve? Check out the podcast from the BBC. More

Farage’s fake ‘facts’ The National Autistic Society (NAS) has hit back at comments made today by Nigel Farage, MP and Leader of Reform UK, after he claimed that doctors are “massively over-diagnosing” children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and mental health conditions. More

Health inequality People with a learning disability simply aren’t getting the healthcare they deserve. Severe pain is overlooked when there’s little awareness of how symptoms present differently. Health advice is completely lost when communication isn’t clear enough. More

Name it! Eccentric, blunt-speaking characters who present as being on the spectrum are everywhere on our screens – but why are their creators so reluctant to state it openly? What we have instead are characters who are “autistic-coded”. If you haven’t come across the term “coded” or “coding”, it describes when a character very clearly has a particular quality or basis that is never made explicit. More

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​

Discovering literacy About one-third of autistic people are minimally verbal, and most are never provided an effective alternative. However, a new study from scientists at the University of Virginia suggests that many of these individuals are literate, raising the possibility that they could learn to express themselves through writing. More

High Tech friend An AI robot has been developed in Pakistan to assist children on the autism spectrum. This AI robot is designed in such a way that it understands the needs of autistic children and provides social support to them in every possible way. The AI robot is capable of assisting autistic children in communication and enhancing cognitive abilities. More

Mechanisms of stress Autistic people may be particularly susceptible to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Recent research suggests that even mild stressors can trigger PTSD in those with autism. More

Deep dive guide "Working in education, I realised that I had the same struggles as some of my students. I became passionate about sharing my experiences and educating people about autism.” More

Fraudsters and fakes The Met Police has launched an investigation over concerns about stem-cell injections being offered to children as a cure for autism. The Royal Borough of Greenwich told BBC London it was aware of concerns surrounding "experimental procedures" on autistic children. The Met said it was investigating "a reported fraud relating to the provision of medical services”. More

Access all animals A Black Country zoo has been certified "autism friendly" by a charity for people with learning disabilities. Dudley Zoo was recognised by Dimensions for its welcoming atmosphere and work to make the site more inclusive for visitors with sensory needs. More

Support star Marie Ward, Sligo Traveller Support Group is the lead Primary Health care worker raising awareness in her community on Autism and supporting parents and families with children diagnosed with Autism. More

What, no assessments? Leeds North West MP Alex Sobel has uncovered what he calls “the startling truth” over the scandal of families struggling to get autism assessments for their children. More

Job creation The North East Autism Society (NEAS) is partnering with creative organisations in the region to launch an innovative new employability and wellbeing scheme for neurodivergent people. More

Game on Northern Ireland's first-ever gaming convention for individuals with autism returns for its second year. Fandom Con, one of Northern Ireland's first-ever gaming conventions specifically designed for and organised by individuals with autism and neurodiverse conditions, is set to return on 25th May. More