Postcode lottery A new report by the Public Accounts Committee highlighted long wait times and found the SEND support children received relied too much on their postcode. More

Language abilities A new study from UCLA Health adds to the growing body of evidence on the cognitive benefits of speaking multiple languages, finding that multilingualism not only enhances general cognitive abilities but also may help reduce certain symptoms and bolster control of daily thoughts and actions in children with and without autism. More

Eye on quality The Department of Health has appointed Northern Ireland's first independent autism reviewer. Ema Cubitt was selected for the role following a public appointment competition and will take up office in September for a five-year period. More

Future in film  A film academy has given students with autism "life-changing" opportunities to work in front of and behind the camera. Staff at Blaenau Gwent Film Academy in Tredegar decided to start offering apprenticeships after students told them they wanted to further their careers but did not have the confidence to go to college. More

Java jive A Neuro Café brings support to parents and carers of children with autism and ADHD. The Café is designed to provide valuable information and support for parents and carers of children with Autism and ADHD, as well as those awaiting assessment. Those attending will have the opportunity to engage with a range of information stalls hosted by representatives from both statutory and community organisations. More

Waiting in Wales The number of children waiting for an autism or ADHD assessment in Wales could nearly triple to 61,000 over the next two years, a committee heard. Sarah Murphy, Wales’ mental health minister, told the Senedd’s children’s committee that 20,770 children were waiting for a neurodevelopmental assessment in September 2024. More

Airline approval Emirates has launched an inspiring journey to officially become the world’s first Autism Certified Airline™, inviting customers with autism and sensory sensitivities to experience Emirates’ seamless services and personalised hospitality. More

Canine confidence An 11-year-old autistic girl has said she "doesn't know what she would do without" her support dog, who has transformed her life. Scarlette, from Hackenthorpe in Sheffield, would refuse to leave the house, go for periods of not speaking and even self-harm before black Labrador Ivanhoe arrived in 2022, her mother said. More

Hiring an advantage What every employer should know about supporting neurodivergent talent. 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

Seeing me ‘They don’t see my autism; they just see Hannah’. An 18-year-old Nursing Assistant from Wythenshawe Hospital has shared how she began her dream career path, thanks to a supported internship programme. More

Skills success A programme for young adults with autism and learning disabilities is expanding amid growing demand. Autism Unlimited in Christchurch, Dorset, launched its Futures programme in 2021 for just four young people.The scheme, to help people gain confidence and improve life skills, now has 28 learners aged between 18 and 25. More

Kindness of strangers A community has rallied around an autistic 13-year-old boy who lost his much-loved model aeroplane collection. Kimmie Button said her son Lucas was devastated when he noticed the bag containing his 30 toys was missing. After a fruitless search in Doncaster earlier this month, Mrs Button took to social media to ask for help. More

Animating autism One of the most prominent and recognisable YouTube animators, Ilyssa Levy from Illymation has created and shared emotional, funny, and hard-hitting stories from her personal life that have attracted millions of viewers. More

Making sense Emily Katy was aged 13 and on a school trip when she had her first panic attack. Three years later, she was sectioned after trying to take her own life. The 22-year-old, who lives in St Albans, was diagnosed with autism aged 16 and her life suddenly started to make sense. More

Sounds amazing Autistic composer, Richard Maddock been a professional pianist/composer for 30+ years with albums being used in over 30,000 dance studios worldwide. More 

Comfort quest An 11-year-old autistic boy has said a T-shirt he designed with neurodivergent people in mind has helped others. Max, from Derbyshire, designed a T-shirt made of soft material with seams encased on the inside, no labels, and a pop-it fidget toy in the hem. More

Going underground A Nottinghamshire boy has raised more than £1,000 for an autism charity after riding on every line of the London Underground. Harry Akers, 12, embarked on the impressive challenge along with his dad on Tuesday, April 2. More

Work overload “There’s so much just going on that is so exhausting, so overstimulating" What is the workplace like for neuro-divergent employees? 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
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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​

Home learning A new complex in Hungary will be a home for learning, diagnosis, counselling and education for families with an autistic member. More

Autistic culture "The whole purpose of the show is to defy stereotypes". How to Dance in Ohio is a Broadway musical starring 7 autistic actors. More

Unsupported An autistic woman has been left without the workplace support she needs for more than 15 months because of repeated delays and incompetence by the government’s Access to Work scheme. More

Sharing progress "I accepted the challenge that my son took on fifteen years ago. I have therefore committed to speaking positively about my son” More

Not the stereotype Ife Thomas was  told she was 'too confident' to be autistic. Now she is is raising awareness about autistic black women through social media and public speaking. More

Isolation Autistic people are four times more likely to be lonely than those who are neurotypical, according to a new study. More 

Deeper understanding Jacky Stabler is the owner behind the hugely successful Full Circle Bakes business. She spoke to Glasgow Live this Disability Visibility Day about her experiences living with autism and ADHD and why her diagnoses changed her life for the better. More

Grief Simeon Jackman-Smith tells us how his autism affected his grief when his dad, David, died in April 2022. "First I was shocked, then it was sadness," says Simeon. "Then I was just angry”. More 

Discrimination A police officer was treated unfavourably and discriminated against when she was rejected from firearms training because she is autistic. More













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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

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