Animating autism PBS Kids is developing its first-ever series featuring a lead character on the autism spectrum and his neurodiverse friends. The animated show called “Carl the Collector” follows Carl, a raccoon with autism who loves to collect things, and his friends in Fuzzytown, a place where everyone is learning about themselves and those around them. More

Safe community "Being non-binary, queer, autistic, ADHD, I grew up really isolated, and didn't have a lot of community, didn't really have any tools or skills, or any good things going on in my life". Finding a safe community was a difficult task for Sonny Jane Wise, until they created one for others with a similar experience. More

No Bill Charities have accused the government of a "major breach of trust" after key reforms did not appear in the King's Speech. The Mental Health Bill, now seemingly dropped, contained provisions to reform the Mental Health Act 1983, which currently allows people with autism and other learning difficulties to be detained and placed in mental health hospitals. More
 
Hate crime A report finds that people with autism and learning disabilities are still facing hate crimes. Hate crimes against people living with disabilities between 2021 and 2022 increased by 25%. More

Turned away A new screening system for adults wanting an autism or ADHD diagnosis has rejected up to 85% of requests for a referral since it was launched, adding to concerns from campaigners who warn it could become a blueprint across the NHS. More

Hearing in colour A new analysis of thousands of sets of twins suggests that synaesthesia shares genetic roots with autism. Synaesthesia seems to be linked to what are known as non-social autism traits. More

No access An autistic man will receive £20,000 compensation after a “discriminatory” refusal to make the reasonable adjustments he requested for a job interview with the government agency responsible for NHS digital technology. More
 
Nicholas’s story ‘I’ve been locked up for 10 years because I’m autistic. Is a chance at life too much to ask?’ More

Job open (or wrapped) Gillian Jervis set up her and her husband's fish and chip shop to secure their autistic child's future after one horrible comment changed everything. 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

Ageing with autism Scottish Autism has partnered with the Heriot-Watt University to use filmmaking and art to explore the hopes, concerns and needs of older autistic adults. More

Exam worry A teenager with autism may have to abandon their GCSEs if a classroom assistant is not made available for the start of the school term. Toni Humphreys' family asked for help in March but the Education Authority (EA) still has not finalised support. More

Accommodation please Finding a home for adults with complex care needs can be a challenge many families face. But one couple decided to try something new and developed a care home for their son which has gained international interest. More

Autism and employment Workplaces can be mood-draining places at the best of times, but for neurodivergent people they can be a minefield of overstimulation, frustration and fatigue. More

Guiding good practice Health professionals have responsibilities to ensure that people with a learning disability and autistic people receive good care. NHS England has updated it’s clinical guidance. More

Leading with care Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, explains the difference between leadership and management and highlights why it’s essential that every member of the workforce has a clear vision to work to. More

Autism and health The health conditions that tend to accompany autism in adolescence grow even more prevalent by early adulthood, according to a new longitudinal study. The findings underscore the importance of continually screening for these conditions in autistic children as they age, especially as they transition from paediatric to adult care. More

​Diagnostic delay Some children in Kent are having to wait up to four years for an autism or ADHD diagnosis. More

Dehumanising policies Autistic people are struggling to access health, education and housing. More
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Author and campaigner Olivia Richards is a busy mum but still finds time to help other parents who have children with autism. More

Surviving school “It can be a challenging place to manage for most people, and when you’re autistic it can be even harder. Growing up I always felt different, like an outsider” More

Neurodiversity Nearly 30 years after Judy Singer coined the term in an undergraduate thesis, it is now almost universally used and understood: an idea that beautifully captures the plain fact that autism and a range of other conditions – ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia and more – are part of the endlessly different ways that human minds are wired. More

Hear us People First (Self Advocacy) is a national user-led self-advocacy organisation, for and run by people with learning difficulties, learning disabilities and autistic people. More

Life just makes sense If you're a Cat Burns fan, you'll know her lyrics are honest. It's something she wants to extend to her personal life too - which is why she's opened up about her recent ADHD and autism diagnosis. More

No break Parents of children with complex needs have said they are "devastated" over the closure of an autism school's respite centre in South Yorkshire. More

Under the surface Autistic Paralympic champion Jessica-Jane Applegate speaks about the challenges and misconceptions of her ‘hidden disability’ as an S14 swimmer. More
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Cut the wait Autism diagnosis 'takes far too long': New report lays bare experience of Northumberland families with NHS services. More

Success in the pool “My son hasn’t always had the best experiences with swimming teachers due to them not being trained in ASD and understanding his needs. The teachers for Halo’s autism swim course are incredible and have ignited my son’s excitement for swimming lessons.” More

Campaign We must keep pushing for more autism education says charity leader, amid growing anger and confusion over Government SEND plans. More

Healthy solutions How to make Healthy Eating Week inclusive for autistic children? Eating can be a stressful experience for autistic young people, explains Jo Galloway, but that doesn't have to limit their enjoyment or progress. More

Radio result TV writer Jack Thorne reveals how a Desert Island Discs interview led to his autism diagnosis. More

Animated experience Walk In My Shoes’ is the first educational training tool from the Donaldson Trust. Created in partnership with Erin Davidson. The animation aims to increase understanding of neurodiversity and reflects Erin’s experiences at the age of 14. More

Hidden difficulties New estimates suggest most autistic adults in England lack a formal diagnosis. More

System failure A survey of teachers at schools in England found that the majority have had less than a day of training in autism. The National Autistic Society, which is the charity behind the survey, says it highlights how "autistic children and young people are being failed”. More

Stages for autism ‘Improv comedy has been life-changing for my ADHD and autism – now I run a club to help others’. When Suzi Payton, 47, discovered she was autistic, has ADHD, Tourette’s and OCD, improvised comedy had entered her life at just the right time. More

Help at the dentist Sensory adapted dental rooms significantly reduce autistic children's physiological stress during a dental hygiene visit. More

Help app An autistic boy and his mother are appealing for help with developing an app to support his needs. Young innovator James Malthouse, ten, from Tavistock, is asking for help with raising money through his Crowdfunder campaign. More

ABA Ban Parents of children with autism in the Netherlands are calling on the government to ban a controversial treatment known as ABA, which some have compared to gay conversion therapy. More

Stop! Think… autism? “My autistic behaviour is constantly met by accusation and inconsiderate responses. I believe this is frequently for two reasons:
1. They don’t stop and think, could there be another explanation for this ‘odd’ behaviour?
2. Even if they realise I am autistic, they don’t know how to support me”. More

Autism freed me Getting diagnosed with autism and ADHD was “the best thing that ever happened” to Ellie Middleton. More

Hear me The “voice” of a 3-year-old teaches us about the importance of early detection, parenting support and the crucial role played by professionals and an open-minded society.  More

Getting there The train operator behind the country's busiest rail franchise has launched a guide to help people with autism travel with ease. More

Left in limbo The NHS autism service ‘crisis’ will leave tens of thousands of patients without diagnosis with 190,000 patients waiting for autism diagnosis by 2024 with ‘devastating’ consequences. More

Life partner A digital innovation that provides autistic adults with 24/7 support and practical tools to manage the challenges of everyday life has been shown to significantly reduce anxiety levels. More

Autistic Artist Samantha Gibb is a musical recording artist, an autism self-advocate, and an autism mom. More
 
Word matters Autistic people have strong preferences for terms to describe autism, with unpopular terms including ‘having autism’ or having an ‘impairment’ or ‘disorder’. More
 
Different futures Until recently, the idea that children with autism should be "cured" and assimilated into wider society has been a prevalent one. New guidelines have been released for autism in Australia that aim to change that view. More

Looking back with autism Journalist Sue Nelson was diagnosed with autism late in life – and it made her see her childhood and preferences in a completely new light. More
 
Eating Disorders Autistic people are sometimes labelled as “picky eaters” due to sensory sensitivity. They can start to set themselves guidelines or rules and may find it hard to identify hunger cues and have high levels of anxiety. These factors might make it easier to develop an eating disorder. More
 
Finding out Does learning you are autistic earlier in development lead to better adult outcomes? Take a look at this study. More
 
Waiting for diagnosis “The impact of waits of more than four years can reverberate for life. We owe it to our young people to ensure they get the support they need.” More
 
Creative support In what ways does art, crafting, and creativity help young people with autism? Aoife Casson invites us into her space by sharing a video of her crafting at home and explains how crafting has become such an important outlet for her mental health. More
 
Schools failing More than two thirds of councils inspected by Ofsted last year had “significant weaknesses” in how they support pupils with special educational needs (SEND) – the worst record since the watchdog started visits six years ago. More
 
Perfect present Give the seasonal gift that goes on giving - invite a friend  to receive the Autism Newsletter. It's free! More

 
 

Robot help Can an interactive robot help teach children on the autism spectrum how to navigate the social world? More

Employment gap Adults with autism and learning disabilities are rarely in paid employment. Not surprisingly, there are calls for businesses to become more inclusive. More

Fair justice Autistic people, like anyone else, can sometimes come into contact with the criminal justice system.  A new report illustrates how lack of support for young autistic people, both before entering and within the system, can have profoundly negative consequences on future life chances. More

Thinking in pictures Autistic scholar Temple Grandin: ‘The education system is screening out visual thinkers’. By favouring verbal thinkers, says the author and animal scientist, essential skills are being lost. Her new book aims to demonstrate the power of processing information in different ways. More

Eating disorders Accurate diagnosis is of vital importance in the treatment of anorexia nervosa in autistic women. More

Crowd pleaser An autistic family member was able to attend his sister's final school volleyball game of the season after the crowd offered to stay silent for him. Only the referee's whistle and the players talking were heard as Payton Carattini watched his sister Melina. More
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Unhealthy system A charity has called for a public inquiry into failings in mental health care. Mental health charity Mind made the call after a BBC Panorama programme showed a culture of abuse at the NHS-run Edenfield Centre, in Manchester. More

Wait for answers Children in Scotland 'waiting more than a year for autism assessment. The health secretary has been urged to bring down waiting times and offer children and parents the support they need. More

TikTok - good or bad? "In some ways TikTok has helped drive discussions around autism forward, and shift outsiders’ perspectives. But for real progress, we have to ensure “swipe up” environments aren’t the only spaces where autistic people are welcomed." 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

Secure silence The UK government has kept an autistic man in a secure hospital for half his life, and used the courts to silence his parents. More

Sleep study At the age of eight, Chase Mazurek has rarely had a good night's sleep. He has autism and ADHD and has trouble falling asleep, wakes in the night and gets up about 4.45am. His mother, Melanie, says it's been exhausting and has taken a toll on relationships and family life. More
 
Including us Much more must be done to make workplaces more inclusive for autistic people, according to Edinburgh-based Auticon, after it found that one in ten workers with the condition does not feel able to reveal their diagnosis at work. More
 
Getting a feeling For some of our children understanding emotions is particularly hard.  They may have communication challenges or struggle to read their own internal and physical signals.  Some of our children have high anxiety and therefore have a huge challenge when it comes to regulating their emotions. More
 
It’s about me ‘People said I was weak, lazy and fussy. I’m not – but I am autistic’. The late diagnosis of Melanie Sykes and Christine McGuinness came as no surprise to those who, like Sara Gibbs, have trodden the same path. More
 
Safe online Online dating can be an avenue for autistic people to meet new friends and potential romantic partners, but it brings with it some pretty serious dangers. People who you meet via online dating sites may not always be who they seem. More
 
Zayne’s world “At the beginning, life was really stressful and confusing, mixed with long waiting lists and no answers. We just wanted to be able to help Zayne the best we possibly could, but with very little knowledge and understanding of what he needed, it proved almost impossible to know what to do for the best.” More
 
Support for signing SignTown is an interactive web game built to help people to learn about sign language and Deaf culture. It uses machine learning to detect the user's ability to perform signs learned from the game. More
 
New numbers Autism rates are increasing yet again, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which finds for the first time that more than 2% of American children have the developmental disability. More
 
Giving voice Sean Porter made an app for non-verbal children and those with autism like his brother to help them communicate. More
 
It shouldn’t happen to a vet Mental health researchers at the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science are calling for participants for a study on how workplace stressors affect staff who live with autism. More
 
Capturing the spectrum Hoping to challenge misconceptions among the neurotypical, photographer Mary Berridge has spent more than five years capturing photographs of young people with autism. More
 
Right to write Nick McAllister found his words after a tough time looking for employment as an autistic writer. More
 
From science to support Working as a speech-language pathologist back in the early 2000s, Andrew Whitehouse saw one family after another struggling to get good care for their autistic children, some of them pursuing pricey, unproven therapies. More