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​

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