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

Spectrum Sailing “We’ve seen kids in the first day, building friendships, and working together which is great, but it also lets them feel valued and that they’re included” More

Opportunity on the menu A "friendly" Wirral café is giving autistic adults opportunities they "wouldn't have been allowed" in days gone by. More

Mixed media Despite finding increased representation of adults in the media, a study points out that news stories often depict such individuals in a childlike way. More

Missing help Parents who see their children miss out on therapy detailed in their education, health and care plan (EHCP) can challenge it in the courts. More

Bravo ‘Bruno’ An autistic boy says it is a "dream" to voice a new character on Thomas & Friends.
Elliott Garcia won the role to play Bruno the Brake Car, who will star alongside Thomas the Tank Engine as the show's first autistic engine. More

Art of the spectrum A 14-year-old autistic boy from Cape Town, South Africa has found solace in drawing pop culture characters in his own style. Clayden Botes's art and its incredible details have even made their way into a clothing line. More

Learning sensory style New from HelpKidzLearn, Inclusive Stories. Fun and engaging, animated sensory stories and resources specially designed to focus on a range of learning intentions, developmental areas, and topics relevant for learners with a wide range of educational needs. More

Spectrumley Speaking In this podcast, hosts Haley Moss and Dr. Lori Butts speak with Lauren Melissa Ellzey. Lauren Melissa Ellzey, or Autienelle, is an autistic self-advocate, social justice influencer, and fiction author. More

New vision “I am on the autism spectrum and society needs to rethink how they view people like me. For far too long, society’s views on people with autism have been discriminatory and damaging.” More

Moving story Children on the autism spectrum may not always process bodily movements easily - they may find it difficult to 'see' body language.  More

On the ball Swindon Town FC have been giving out sensory packs which have been designed to improve the matchday experience for young autistic people. More 

Ice breaker An 11-year-old girl, who is autistic and has ADHD, has said she struggled to express herself until she discovered ice skating. Teddy Weston is a British and World champion in inclusive ice skating and is one of the first to represent NI. More

Turning teacher Jesse Cross (17) has a knack for coding, but it's not just a past-time or a hobby, it's a profession. More

Young voice heard A 12-year-old primary school student from Cashel, Co Tipperary, met with the Taoiseach on Thursday to urge the government to act urgently on the lack of supports for autistic children in Ireland. More

Access unequal Most autistic children in the Netherlands have used some sort of treatment or therapy according to a new study. But factors unrelated to their autism often decide who gets what help. More

Flying fear For Becca, being autistic means she worries about things that neurotypical people never give a second thought to - “Where are the gates in the airport? How do I get around the airport? What food is at the airport? I get sensory issues with take-off and landing but the unknown is a much bigger issue.” More 

Improve records Schools must collect isolations data the DfE has said this month. Behaviour guidance on the controversial use of so-called ‘isolation booths’ calls on schools to keep records of ‘removals’. More 

Parental advice The BBC has a wealth of parents experiences, autism tips and advice on it’s website. More

Friendly games Barrington Campbell received an autism diagnosis at 30 years old. He said he had struggles making friends while growing up and felt isolated. Five years later he's created Kagai Games, designed to provide tabletop games and events for people with social anxiety. More

Care worsens The CQC's 2020 report said people with learning disabilities or autism were receiving "undignified and inhumane care"; 18 months on it says little progress has been made. More
 
Mind and body A family hopes to start a new charity to give young people with autism or learning disabilities the chance to take up martial arts. More
 
Meeting needs Recently released data from the Centers for Disease Control show childhood autism rates are at their highest level since the CDC began tracking data in 2000. About 2.3% of U.S. children. What are the priorities for support? More
 
Help in a box “Emergencies can be stressful for anyone. Then, when you add in a sensory processing disorder, they already don’t see and experience things in the same way we do,” A US firefighter has developed a sensory tool kit to help fire crews meet the needs of youngsters on the spectrum. More
 
Sibling support Having a younger brother with autism brings challenges. How can parents help? More

Right to work  An increasing number of companies are integrating neurodiverse individuals into the workplace as they recognize their growing number and the unique skills they bring to a variety of jobs. More
 
Food for thought A mum who has previously struggled to eat out with her autistic son has praised a restaurant for "going above and beyond" to help him. More
 
Autistic and unstoppable Sam Holness is an autistic endurance athlete. He's completed triathlons, an event consisting of swimming, cycling and running. He’s run numerous full 26-mile marathons and half marathons and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. More
 
Without the  mask Social psychologist Devon Price explains that masking is any attempt or strategy "to hide your disability." Price's new book, Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity, explores masking, and how to "unmask" and live more freely.
 
Care for carers Carers are key members of the team around the person they support, but the role can significantly impact their life, health and wellbeing. Good quality, consistent support is vital to enable them to continue their caring role. More
 
Where are the women? Despite recent breakthroughs in research, young women with autism are still commonly overlooked by parents, educators and medical providers. More
 
Learning moment After learning she was autistic at 38, writer and podcaster Tara McMullin began reassessing what she needed to thrive at her job. More
 
Legally speaking Autism is not a mental health issue – David Crisp argues for a rethink on healthcare and mental health legislation. More

Minecraft safety Famallama is a family friendly whitelisted server for the neurodiverse, (those with Autism, ADHD, and Special Educational needs). More


















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Try this There have been plenty of newcomers welcomed to the sport of rugby at the Palace Grounds in Armagh over the past five weeks. This comes after local autism support group, More Than Words, teamed up with Rugby Cubz NI, who provide modified rugby activities for children with autism and additional needs. More

Gut news A collaborative Australian study has challenged the increasingly popular theory that gut health drives autism and rejected the use of fad diets and so-called therapies such as faecal transplants. More

Seeking acceptance People on the autism spectrum often face discrimination and other challenges in everyday life. In Bulgaria, activists are working to raise awareness and reduce stigma. More
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Pandemic problems For adults and children on the autism spectrum, getting a COVID-19 vaccine is easier said than done. More

Autistic images When photographer Mary Berridge’s son was diagnosed with Asperger’s, she began to see his world in a new light. She set out to capture a series of everyday – and exceptional – stories, one image at a time. More

That’s our business  In this podcast Toni Boucher (author and autistic self-advocate) describes her “AUntrepreneur” programme which helps young adults launch their own businesses. More

Sensory search Since sensory differences became part of the diagnostic criteria for autism in 2013, an increasing number of autism researchers have been drawn to the thalamus. What is it and what does it have to do with autism? More

Meeting Melanie “There’s a sense of relief about it and a sense of mourning. Not because I don’t want to be who I am, it’s that I wish I’d known sooner so I could have understood exactly why things were rolling the way they were rolling". More

Access to work An autistic woman said her experience of work was traumatising and more consideration was needed for neurodiverse employees. More

Not a crime Listen to Tom Oliver’s TED Talk on why autistic people are caught up in the justice system. More
 
Recruitment fair? There’s no doubt, that for large employers, high volume recruiting is a useful tool but it’s also true that one size doesn’t fit all, and nowhere is that more painfully obvious than with job applicants with conditions such as autism, ADHD or Tourette’s Syndrome. More
 
Media mess up Articles on TV and in the print media can be damaging! Autism can’t be prevented, nor can it be cured. More
 
Yes to amazing Sesame Workshop has announced its expansion of the ‘Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children’ initiative with new resources More
 
Sensory salad “As a child my mum thought I was deaf and blind”. Paul Isaacs explains some of sensory effects of his autism. More
 
You get me? New research suggests that children with autism struggle with the feelings of others because they might not use context to identify underlying emotions. More
 
Seeing like a child “My toddler loves her autistic sister — and has helped me challenge my own unconscious prejudices.” More
 
Silver screen spectrum Looking WITH autism Sara Wheeler discusses autism in the movies. More
 
Empathy wins A nurse who created a Covid-19 vaccine clinic for people with learning disabilities and autism has received national recognition. Rebecca Crossley devised the sensory-friendly space for patients who may find syringes, PPE and a busy, noisy clinic daunting. More
 
Think autism “When I was twelve years old, I suddenly learned to think, all at once, on a single day. Before that day almost no one would have thought that I would ever understand the world around me”. Dan Bergmann on his autism, and a breakthrough lesson. More
 
Autistic access Since the pandemic, more of us than ever are seeking out green spaces. What can National Parks do to make the beauty of nature enjoyable and safe? 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



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Teachers go free The Autism Workroom is a new in-depth online course for anyone who works in a school or other childcare setting. There a three, free modules to try. More

Working future Bounce Back is for autistic Londoners who recently became unemployed or have worked previously. Participants will have access to courses, workshops and one to one support to develop action plans and achieve their goals, with the aim of gaining employment or further training. More

The eyes have it A mobile phone app that tracks a toddler’s gaze as she watches short videos can distinguish between children who later receive an autism diagnosis and those who do not with 90 percent accuracy, according to a study. More

Autism at the Oscars Many Oscar buffs have noted the historical facet of Anthony Hopkins' win, but the 83-year-old also achieved another, quieter milestone: He is apparently the first openly autistic actor to win. Hopkins revealed in 2017 that he has been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. More

Masking and Mental Health The vast majority of women with autism have a history of “masking,” or camouflaging, their symptoms. They do this in order to make and maintain friendships, fit in at school and higher education, and pass as “normal” in a variety of social contexts, including the workplace. More

School for the senses Sensory rooms, trampolines and gardens: a new project aims to support schools in creating a more inclusive culture. More

Further Education 3 lessons Covid taught us about learners with autism. More

Different strokes Australian rower Chris Morgan never let his autism get in the way of his Olympic dream. He competed at the Beijing 2008 Games, took home a bronze medal at London 2012 and represented Australia at the Rio 2016 Olympics."If I had a neurotypical brain I wouldn't have achieved what I have," More

Sibling support Having a sibling may help autistic people navigate their daily lives better, according to a new unpublished study. More

Just me So often I am judged on behaviours outside of my control. I will be called rude for not being able to talk, difficult for my sensory needs and overreacting for my inability to regulate my emotions. More

From advocacy to an app While growing up with her autistic sister, Amanda, Celest Austin grew to appreciate her sister’s way of thinking. Dr. Austin was alarmed how most resources available did not nurture her sister’s unique way of thinking but instead tried to reprogram her with products and services labeled as “cures” and “treatments”.  More

Through An Autistic Eye Autistic photographer inspires other young people with special needs to take photos as he prepares to publish debut book  More 

Life in lockdown A mother and son have written an illustrated book during lockdown to help explain autism to others. More

Sounds different Unlike typical toddlers, those with autism may tend not to share experiences involving sound — dancing to music with their parents, for example, or directing a parent’s attention toward a cat’s meow — according to a new study More

Good read Get hold of Sarah Kurchak's ‘autiebiography’ (an autobiography written by an autistic person) which, though it may not reflect the experiences of everyone on the spectrum, is sure to resonate with many More

Getting in the door Being diagnosed with autism at the age of 33 was a watershed moment for Josh McKeiver. - "That was a huge relief. I cried. I'd never cried so much in my life, over days." Employment however is another hurdle. More

Care changes needed Too many people with learning disabilities or autism are receiving "undignified and inhumane care" in specialist hospitals, a care regulator has found. More

Autism in the family "What [autism] means for us, in my family, is that we experience external stimuli as blasts of information. When we are out in public, the smells, the sights, the sounds and the people can all merge together and become completely overwhelming." More

Research needs you University of York researchers need your help with a project looking at experiences of bullying in childhood in autistic adults. More
... why not explore the topic of the role of the autistic voice in research a little further? More

Safe schooling Are schools able to offer safe and suitable provision for autistic children on an individual basis during 'lockdown'? More

Virtual understanding US law enforcement professionals are utilising virtual reality to gain insight into autistic experience. More

Distraction reaction Autistic people may have trouble tuning out distractions. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh believe this may account for some of the problems with sensory sensitivity and sensory processing experienced by individuals on the spectrum. More

Wired for success Auticon, an  IT company, sees the benefits of having a majority-autistic workforce. "Our hybrid onsite and offsite teams utilise the cognitive benefits of autism to provide the sustained concentration and analytical mindset that makes us wired for success". More

Autism advocate In 2017, Daisy Shearer, then a 21-year-old physics major at the University of Surrey in the UK, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In retrospect, the diagnosis made sense. It explained the sensory overload and panic attacks during exams, for example, and the trouble she had maintaining friendships. More

Lockdown life Robyn Steward and Jamie Knight, presenters of the podcast '1800 Seconds on Autism', reveal what’s been going on in their lives during lockdown. From the pasta dish Jamie has eaten every day for five years no longer being available at the supermarket, through to Robyn’s solo trip to hospital, a notoriously noisy and discombobulating place.  More

Eating and autism Is there a relationship between eating disorders and autism? Children with autistic traits are more likely than their peers to develop an eating disorder, according to a new UCL-led study. More

Siblings stick together Why not sign up for a free siblings webinar? Siblings, parents, and other caregivers can participate in this series, which will be the 2nd Tuesday each month. Next one is June 9th. More