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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
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Care with figures Some of the ‘results’ from a recent NI autism study need thought and careful interpretation. More
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 Diagnosis 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 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 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 What 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 Revealing 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 Isolation 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 Autism 'types' More evidence that autistic individuals get their own distinct version, style or ‘brand’ of autism, suggesting autism isn’t one continuous spectrum. Looks increasingly like Donna Williams’ ideas about a ‘fruit salad’ of autistic differences and abilities in each person were right on the money. More
Dad’s for autism Black fathers of autistic children are looking to be more visible in the national autism conversation through podcasts, non-profits and summits that specifically address their experience. More Sensory exploration Many aspects of autism actually flow from differences in early sensory development, but studying it is difficult. More Myth busting Another major study has confirmed that routine childhood vaccines do not cause autism. The theory emerged three decades ago and caught fire after a study was published – and later retracted – in a major medical journal in 1998. While the theory has since been discredited in many studies from around the world, the myth still persists. Why? More Art of autism Alex Walton is an autistic cartoonist. His early doodles evolved from traffic light-like creatures into doodle characters in large collages. One of his more recent collage doodles is called Feelings, a collage of emotive faces. More recent work includes Mr. Autism and Spikey Mikey, both characters that seem to connect with people of all ages. More Sleep disturbance “David never slept. Even as a newborn he was unusually alert. Where other babies ate and slept, he ate and was awake, and never settled easily. In the early days you’re in good company. But, as time went on, I began to feel increasingly isolated.” More School leadership Stephanie Smith is head of an autism special school. Here she reveals what a typical week looks like in their role. More Training and the law A new code of practice to support the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism has been published by the government. Aimed at employers, the guidelines set out the standards of training that health and social care staff should receive to comply with the law. More Makaton Learn a new word every week and be inspired to get signing. With the British Open in full swing (ouch!) this week’s word is ‘golf’. More Slope success Autistic skier, Annabelle Lamb said she was "super surprised" to win gold for Great Britain at the Special Olympics. More
Eyes have it Research from Japan has demonstrated the use of eye-tracking technology in the early diagnosis of autism. More Only natural A care farm to support the needs of autistic children has been given the green light by officials. The project aims to provide activities at Fossefield Farm, Stoney Stanton, in Leicestershire. More Art for autism's sake An autistic artist said he was honoured that his painting of a football stadium will be sold to raise money to help other people with autism. David Downes has painted Portman Road, the home of Ipswich Town Football Club, and is auctioning the art for the club's community foundation. More It’s like this Originally developed by Training2Care, a British company, ARE is a revolutionary, hands-on training programme that allows participants to experience the sensory, cognitive and emotional challenges faced by people with autism. More Shared goal Watford Football Club have been playing their part and promoting Autism Acceptance. More Mothers needs New research highlights the unique challenges and needs faced by autistic women during motherhood, including late diagnoses and a lack of professional understanding. More Our stories ‘Most neurotypicals have no idea how much effort I’m making, how well I’m doing, if you account for the fact that I have taught myself every last thing. Maybe they’ll never know how much work goes into it.’ Wired Our Own Way is a new anthology showcasing the diversity of the autistic experience. More A mine of information A university campus built in a Minecraft world is helping autistic people to settle into student life. Parts of De Montfort University (DMU), in Leicester, have been recreated by student Eden Turner to provide a place for people to meet up and make friends while playing the hit video game. More FC is back!?! Clinicians and researchers are rightly concerned about the return of Facilitated Communication in the guise of the Telepathy Tapes podcast. Many professional health organisations around the world have denounced the use of FC. Raising Children, an Australian government-funded website for parents, classifies FC as “ineffective or harmful”. More Vision for education The autistic voice has been largely missing from educational research and policymaking. A recent research study, co-produced with autistic researchers, set out to change this. More Holiday help Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, but it can be difficult for some autistic people. Check out this list of autism-friendly tips for the festive period. More Not wrong All his life Andrew Davies has had a sense of not fitting in, that he was somehow broken, weird or there was something wrong with him.That was until he discovered he was autistic at the age of 70. More Highs and lows What ‘High-Functioning Autism’ Means (and Why You Shouldn’t Call It That). Describing people as ‘high- or low-functioning’ is both medically inaccurate and dehumanizing. More Not autistic enough? How underdiagnosis of ADHD and autism is impacting women. Former Vogue model Leanne Maskell writes about how she discovered that she was neurodivergent. More Food and autism Take a look at this study which examined the presence of autistic traits in a sample of adult women diagnosed with different Eating Disorders. More The play's the thing A fledgling theatre troupe hopes its first production will tell theatregoers some of the things they do not know about autism. Members of The Sixth Sense Collective believe their performance of Irish playwright Jody O’Neill’s “What I (don’t) know about Autism” in Cambridge will put the condition in the spotlight. More Volunteers needed Experts working to improve breast cancer care for autistic people are recruiting participants to share their experiences of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in the UK. More Letters and language A recent study highlights that many autistic children show an intense interest in letters and numbers, which may play a distinct role in their language development. By analyzing clinical records and interviewing parents, researchers found that 37% of autistic children had a strong interest in letters, in contrast to just 3% of non-autistic peers. More BRAvo A TV station in Norway uses reporters that all have learning disabilities. The TV station is called TV BRA, which means “TV Good”. More Teen power Zoe is a therapist, researcher and autistic self advocate who specialises in empowering teens and adults with ADHD, autism, trauma disorders and other neurodivergence. More You decide Election 2024 - It’s time to vote so here are links to all available easy read manifestos. More
West End story Concrete Youth and Barnsley Civic have announced the West End run of SENSORY CINDERS, a groundbreaking new co-production which will be the West End’s first inclusive sensory pantomime specifically designed for audiences labelled with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). More More isn’t more New research suggests that increasing the intensity or duration of interventions like applied behavioral analysis (ABA) does NOT significantly improve outcomes for young autistic children. More Not out The government pledged that by the end of March 2024 they would reduce the number of people with a learning disability or autism in mental health hospitals by 50%. They have missed their own target. More Health alert Common debilitating health conditions, such as anxiety, depression and neck and back pain, may be under-diagnosed in autistic people, finds a new study led by UCL researchers. More Care or crime? A young man's help cutting a grass verge has been criticised as "criminal damage" on social media by some members of his local parish council, upsetting his family and residents. More On camera “What was good about my diagnosis was I could say to Seth: ‘It means you’re like Daddy.’” – Dan Turner on being an autistic parent of an autistic child and exploring autism through filmmaking. More Medical help Autistic doctors are valued members of the medical profession. Watch Dr Seb Shaw on the importance of reasonable adjustments to help doctors thrive. More If not me Teenage autism campaigner Cara Darmody has begun a weekly protest outside Government Buildings – and has vowed to continue until her demands are met. The 13-year-old from Tipperary has two autistic, nonverbal brothers and became involved in campaigning after they were not assessed in a timely manner. More Name change Councils and health services in Cumbria are changing how they refer to autistic people after a consultation. The terms Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will no longer be used by the county's organisations unless for medical diagnostic purposes. More Eyes have it Can a battery of eye-tracking measures accurately identify young autistic children? More |
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