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Living 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
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It’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 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 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 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 Attendance and autism Children who are persistently absent from school are often autistic, a survey by a Hackney parents' group suggests. A report by Hackney Independent Parents (Hip) has been investigating the growing problem of "emotionally based school avoidance (ESBA)", a local authority meeting heard. More
Big challenge Celebrity Big Brother’s Bradley Riches reflects on challenges of autism. While discussing his 2023 children’s book, “A” Different Kind Of Superpower, with fellow housemate and West End star Marisha Wallace, Riches explained that some aspects of being in the Celebrity Big Brother house can be challenging. More Autism assessments A quarter of families wait at least four years for an assessment, a Channel4 survey shows. More Reasonable adjustments The recently published Buckland report recommended a range of ways in which employers can better support autistic employees. This starts with the recruitment process, argues Euan Cameron. More Press praise A journalist has thanked colleagues for their support after recently being diagnosed with autism. Aaron Greenaway has praised fellow staff at Tindle Newspapers in Cornwall after his diagnosis. More Silence and stigma Having autistic kids can leave South Asian mums isolated. Habiba says women like her feel isolated and alone because autism is not discussed in the south Asian community. More Autistic Joy Angela Lauria is the creator of The Autistic Culture Podcast which advocates for viewing autism as a cultural difference to be embraced and not a disorder to be fixed. More Sounds sensitive The Auerbach Lab at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology is soon to examine how different genes associated with autism may impact the brain’s neurons, resulting in heightened sensitivity to sounds. More Forced to fail Some pupils with autism in Scotland are forced to “fail” in mainstream education before receiving the necessary support, MSPs have heard. Suzi Martin, the external affairs manager for the National Autistic Society Scotland said the pace of progress on support for children needing more support has been too slow. More Eating disorder support A service supporting young individuals with autism who suffer from eating disorders suggests identifying early signs of autism could help understand eating habits which could lead to a disorder. The Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire Pathway for Eating disorders and Autism developed from Clinical Experience (BOB PEACE), has been treating adolescents and young people for years, providing targeted mental health support. More Rock on The music industry has rallied around a rock band predominately made up of musicians with a learning disability after the group were stripped of vital charity funding. The six members of Ultimate Thunder from Leeds have been playing together for over a decade and relied on financial support to pay for equipment and support staff. More Repeated failings The crisis in mental health services for autistic young people is costing lives. This BBC film investigates. More
Speaking for autism Oracy is a hot topic but what does it mean for learners with complex additional needs who may have idiosyncratic ‘speech’, are reluctant to utter sounds, or rely on technology to do so? This article examines the current drive towards teaching ‘fluent’ speech as a means of enabling equality and opportunity. More Safe date For 24-year-old Sira Rehn, a dating app for people with mild intellectual disabilities and autism has opened up the world of online dating and a chance to find love in a safe space. More Research right Studies investigating autistic community research priorities indicate a mismatch between what autism research focuses on and what autistic people want to see researched. Time to listen. More Great trains GWR has been recognised by The National Autistic Society for making train travel more accessible for people with autism.The society applauded the train operator for introducing several autism-friendly changes, particularly at stations in the western region of its network. More Escaping the wait A mother who fled to the UK from Ukraine with her seven-year-old son said she had no choice but to return to the war-torn country to avoid a three-year NHS wait for an autism assessment. More Anxiety advice Over the past 10-15 years, research has confirmed what many parents and teachers have long suspected – that many autistic children often experience very significant levels of anxiety. Download this guide from City University, London. More Stim supply When an individual experiences too much distressing sensory input (becoming overstimulated) or not enough positive sensory input (becoming understimulated), it can trigger sensory meltdowns or shutdowns. Fortunately, sensory items and stim toys have become more mainstream in recent years. Many autistic people use these items to self-regulate, cope with sensory issues, and attend to their sensory needs. More Financial needs The first study into raising an autistic child using the Minimum Income Standard (MIS) approach, has found that families and carers face costs of more than £2,650 each year – to cover everyday essentials that meet their children’s needs. More Time to learn Mandatory autism training should be introduced for teachers, the House Commons has heard today. Duncan Baker, Conservative MP for North Norfolk, has introduced a bill to Parliament in the hope of bringing in the change. The backbench MP said mandatory training would be aimed at identifying signs of autism and helping autistic children to achieve positive outcomes in school. More Inside autism Science journalist Sue Nelson shares her personal journey to better understand autism. Inside her autistic inner world is a cacophony of brain chatter, anxiety and sensory issues - recreated within a 360 degree soundscape - that impact her life and interactions with others. More
Autism understood “We have made this website so that everyone can gain a better understanding of what autism is, since most people we meet seem a little confused about what autism actually is”. More Failing children The ICARS Report (England) documents the experiences of 560 English children. It exposes an educational system which has failed children, especially those receiving SEND services, and their families with devastating consequences. More Together as partners Telford and Wrekin are launching a borough-wide autism strategy to support all autistic adults in the borough to lead healthy and fulfilling lives, where they feel valued and supported. More School avoidance Why are why are so many neuro-diverse kids refusing to go to school? More Assessment explained If you think you or your child need support at school, home or at work, you can start getting help before having an assessment. What happens during an autism assessment? More Bad practice What is being done to reduce the use of restrictive practices, including restraint, seclusion and segregation? More Onside with autism The Wrexham and Ireland midfielder, James McClean has spoken of his pride at his autism diagnosis during a frank interview with Patrick Kielty on The Late Late Show. He said he was initially hesitant about getting tested as a diagnosis could further make him a target for rival fans. More Tablet tool An electronic tool could help clinicians diagnose autism in children younger than age 3, according to two new studies conducted across six major autism centres in the United States. More Waiting times More than 143,000 people are currently waiting for an autism assessment in England, according to the latest NHS figures. More On board Can video games and balance boards address movement and coordination difficulties in autism? More
Back to the future Take a look back at the research headlines from 2021 More Searching for support "It can be extremely challenging when Jack has a meltdown and it limits what we can do as a family and the places we can go because a lot of places aren't equipped for children with autism. It has left us feeling frustrated and still lost." More Schools out What effect have the covid school closures in 2020/21 had on autistic learners? More World’s Strongest Man “I always wanted to be successful for the people that have additional needs. I’ve done a lot of talks on it and I want everyone to know that, just because we’ve got a label on our heads, it doesn’t mean that you are different from anyone else, we’ve just got that additional hurdle we have to get over.” More Motor missing Clinicians and scientists have described motor skill differences since the earliest conceptualizations of autism, yet these differences are not always considered as core to the diagnosis. More Art of autism An artist famed for creating microscopic sculptures said his autism has inspired his success. Willard Wigan MBE, 64, was diagnosed when he was 50, but believes his mother knew he struggled at school and encouraged him to create his tiny works of art. More Autism Works People with autism are being left behind today, with only 16 per cent in full-time employment. This inspiring book addresses the lack of understanding of the wonderful contributions people across the autism spectrum can make to the workplace. More Same difference “In the viral video of an autistic man at his brother’s wedding, I saw my sister and me.” More iPhones and autism Apple are reportedly working on an algorithm that will work with the camera in an iPhone to detect autism in children. More Sibling story "I left a dream job to be closer to my autistic twin. The pandemic has forced many of us to rethink our lives, not least of which is how we work. For me, it meant returning home". More Mental health New research highlights the quality of life and mental health issues of adults with autism More Strength of the spectrum Daniel Sobel asks what would happen if we shifted our mindset and attitude – from thinking of the barriers of SEN to considering the strengths and skills that SEN can give students. More Universities meet challenge Universities are becoming more autism-friendly with staff receiving training in autism, specific calm spaces created on campuses and advice and videos for autistic students. More High fives for autism A mum has written an emotional letter to an Asda in Wigan, thanking a member of staff for his act of kindness towards her five-year-old son with autism. More Play help A mum from Croydon is speaking out as she seeks better support for autistic kids outside of school. Neve Knight said that while there are options to keep children entertained and active in Croydon during the day, precious few offer adequate support for SEN kids with specific conditions such as her five-year-old son Brody's autism and ADHD. More Finding me “Dinosaurs didn’t only make our boy happy, they gave us a window into Ted’s world." How dinosaurs have transformed the life of Ted, a little boy with autism. More Accessible art An art exhibit in Edmonton looked a little different this month, the lights were dimmed and the music lowered to provide a sensory-friendly experience. The small changes made a big difference for families with autistic children. More Damaging delays New research has shown that more than 128,000 children and their families risk being ‘forgotten’ by the system as lockdown causes delays in autism diagnosis. More Sound and sensitivity A tiny fish is helping scientists understand how the human brain processes sound, while also giving insight to autism. More Cash crisis Almost 90% of English councils overspent on their budgets for teaching children with special needs last year, and the underfunding is set to continue into 2021. More Finding out "I’m Autistic. I Didn’t Know Until I Was 27. Autism spectrum disorder is inseparable from who I am. I wish only that it hadn’t taken so long to find out." More Anorexia and autism linked? In 1983, psychologist Christopher Gillberg posed a provocative question to the readers of the British Journal of Psychiatry: Could autism and anorexia nervosa share underlying causes? More Tech can help "When my son’s speech and language delay was first highlighted, in 2016, there was a negative stigma attached to screen time with children, both for neurotypical and neurodivergent kids. It took a global lockdown to dislodge that viewpoint, and I'm glad that it did". More Failing health Mental health services need to develop greater sensitivity to the mental health risks in autism. Right now they are failing adolescents and young adults with autism . More Small talk is a big deal Having a casual conversation can be the most stressful part of some people's day. Sheree Somers knows what this feels like and she has some advice for us all to make things better. More See strengths ”Having autism doesn’t mean I don’t have the same goals as you. It means that I am not able to talk and my body doesn’t behave like I want it to.” More |
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