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Seen on screen Why are these British soaps so lacking in autistic representation for women? More
Work help A council has started a drive to create more autism-friendly workplaces in its area. Wiltshire Council is asking people to take part in surveys to help it find out what employers are doing, gather examples of good practice and discover what support would be helpful. It is also asking autistic employees what could be improved. More Meeting halfway Your child’s teacher spends five to six hours with him each day. She doesn’t know him like you do, but she sees things you can’t — or won’t. Here’s advice from real parents and teachers who found ways to work together that really benefited everyone. More Journey to self A doctor recently diagnosed with autism and ADHD has spoken about her struggle to understand and accept her condition - and the values and challenges it brings to her work. More Canine comfort An author who writes children's books about neurodiversity said she would have loved to have read those types of stories as an autistic girl. Lin Fidgin's story about a Labrador with autism draws upon her own lived experience of feeling "out of sync with the world" and having sensory differences, comfort in repetition and routine, and struggling in social situations. More Important announcement Commuters on SMRT’s rail network may have noticed a different voice on station platforms from 10 to 12 April. The voice belongs to eight-year-old Muhammad Khalif Bin Muhammad Khair Abdillah, a student from Rainbow Centre Yishun Park School who is on the autism spectrum. More Differences alike Recent research reveals that autism and ADHD may not sit in separate boxes at all. Instead, they may overlap in ways that start deep inside the brain. More Being a mom ‘There are hard days. Days where the world feels like it was not built with your children in mind. Spaces that are overwhelming. Expectations that do not bend. Moments where you feel the gap between what exists and what your children need. Days where you are tired in a way that is hard to explain.” More
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Revealing numbers The increased rates of autism, ADHD, and other mental health conditions are evidence of decades of unmet need argues Rowan Humphries-Massey. More
Identity question A recent US study has concluded that there is no consensus as to whether individuals with autism prefer identity first language. More Accurate picture? In recent years, the way autism is portrayed in media has become a subject of intense scrutiny and discussion. Numerous pundits argue that these representations often fail to encapsulate the reality of the autistic experience. More History lesson A strange and largely forgotten trip to the USSR in 1963 offers historical context to RFK Jr.’s thinking about autism. More Make work work A systematic review of workplace accommodations and employment outcomes among employees with autism has concluded that employers should not view accommodations as optional extras but rather as essential components of an accessible workplace design. More Calmer Christmas London campaign agency DOJO UK has partnered with Autistica, the UK’s leading autism research and campaigning charity, to launch All Is Calm — a campaign that highlights how Christmas can be a challenging time for autistic people. More Evidence again A new review by the WHO reaffirms the conclusions from its previous reviews that the available high-quality scientific evidence indicates that vaccines, including those with thiomersal or aluminium or both, do not cause autism. More Ad ban The UK’s advertising watchdog has cracked down on products being promoted online that it says falsely promise to diagnose prostate cancer and treat autism and ADHD. More Sibling story For most of his life, Helen’s brother John didn’t know he was autistic. He was diagnosed in the 1970s — a time of limited understanding of neurodiversity. He was born during a time that didn't have the understanding of autism, neurodiversity and mental health management we have now. John felt like he was an outsider; he believed he was a misfit in most people's eyes. More First prize Nnena Kalu has won this year's Turner Prize, the UK's most high-profile art award, for her "bold and compelling" sculptures and drawings - and has made history as the first artist with a learning disability to win. More Source of safety A new autism and neurodiversity resource is now available to help ensure road safety education is more accessible and inclusive for autistic people. Developed by Co-Pilot in partnership with the National Autistic Society, the resource supports road safety professionals to create learning experiences that recognise and respond to the needs of autistic learners. More Independence Works Bailey has been thriving in his work experience at Waterhouse’s Quality Food in Cheadle Hulme since January. The greengrocer has become a second home for him, and he’s making great strides on his path to independence. More
Dental health A new, free, online support package aims to empower parents of young autistic children to look after their dental health – and reduce levels of tooth decay and surgery. It follows a study led by the School of Dentistry at the University of Leeds, which highlights the oral health challenges faced by autistic children. More Diagnosis divide Children in the North of England are waiting up to three years longer than those in the south for an autism diagnosis, new data analysis shows. More Complex truth Scientists will not find a simple answer to how autism arises, despite Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s promise to announce its causes sometime this month. Here’s what makes the condition so staggeringly complex. More Wellbeing Mental health problems can often be missed in people with learning disabilities because conditions or symptoms may present differently than in the general population. In addition, people with learning disabilities may not realise the significance of events, have trouble recalling information or not understand what is happening or being asked of them. More Communication Makaton signs of the week are a great way to extend your signing vocabulary. More Access to health New screening videos make health information more accessible for people with learning disabilities. More Myths challenged “The nonspeaking autistic community is socially vulnerable and frequently experience nonacceptance and exclusion. As a member of this community, I am driven to bust some myths”, Timothy HoYuan Chan. More Older problem The majority of autistic adults aged over 40 remain undiagnosed, with the numbers even higher in the over-60 population, according to new research from King’s College London. In the largest review of its kind, the researchers also found that middle-aged and older autistic adults are facing higher rates of mental and physical health conditions than non-autistic adults of the same age. More Way into work A father says a scheme which helps young people with learning disabilities into work has been life-changing for his son. Andy Darlaston's son Harry is autistic and was part of the scheme, ending up with an internship at a firm which manufactures signs in Warwickshire. More 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 Ride on A team of 10 riders are embarking on an audacious five day bike ride from Lagos to Accra and back to raise awareness for autism, and to advocate for inclusivity in society. More
Connecting to help The Autism Services Directory is a fantastic resource which connects individuals, parents and professionals to sources of support, help and information in their local area. Start your search here. More Assessment advice Useful information and guidance on assessment and diagnosis. More Easily misled A U.S. study does not show severe autism can be “reversed”, contrary to misleading headlines shared on social media making that claim and calling the results a “miracle”. The case report of just two young girls is anecdotal, based on “questionable” methods and may only show the girls were taught new behaviours that masked or reduced some symptoms, according to experts who also criticised media coverage of the study. More Bad hair day For many parents of autistic children, getting a hair cut can be a traumatic experience for them and their child. Here are some tips. More Diagnosis step change “We need to make diagnosis a quicker and more empowering experience for autistic people”, Dr James Cusack, Autistica. More Dojo effect Autistic kids and parents can benefit from practicing martial arts together, as a family. More On board with autism A call for volunteers has been made to help transform a bus into a mobile sensory unit for children with autism. The Stand Out for Autism charity has spent the past 18 months fundraising to make its dream a reality. The charity reached its £10,000 target earlier this year and has since bought a bus. More Dads too Despite being a father of three children with special educational needs, Ashley Blaker never saw the signs in himself until he penned a humorous and heartfelt book about his family life. More Should work A 'passport' designed to help young autistic people transitioning from education to work has been launched. Disability Advice and Welfare Network (Dawn) hopes the booklet will help more neurodivergent education leavers find employment. More Friendly advice To mark Friendship Day here are six do’s and don’ts to support autistic children with friendships. 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 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 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 Big bill New legislation in Northern Ireland will introduce the creation of an autism information service and a cross-departmental autism training strategy. More
Help for hair A hair salon in Sheffield has created a specialised room to help autistic children get their hair cut in a less challenging environment. More Cut it out Neurotypical nervous systems, wired for complex social lives, allow for effective sensory gating (automatically filtering out stimuli deemed unimportant - background noise). Autistic individuals have a harder time doing this. More Kit full of understanding The North East Autism Society (NEAS) created the easy-to-follow Teacher’s Toolkit ahead of Autism Acceptance Week, which runs from March 28th until April 3rd. The kit is packed full of educational videos, information about autism and neurodiversity, lesson plans and activity ideas designed to teach children and young people about difference. More Autistic and Expecting Check out this unique and practical book on managing autistic pregnancy, childbirth and the post-natal period for autistic parents and for the health and social care practitioners who may support them. More Explaining the spectrum “It is so important for my students to see that people with Asperger’s, autism or other communication issues can be successful and live fulfilling lives. Nothing explains this better than hearing it from them directly.” More Pathway to better lives Some of the world’s leading experts on autism have published a redesigned care pathway for autistic children and their families based on early detection and family involvement. More Police aware Phillip Millichap, a police community support officer (PCSO) with autism is championing neurodiversity throughout his force. More Positive pastures Farming can change the lives of young autistic people. A group of autistic young farm workers say the job has saved them from a potential life of isolation and boredom. More Deep look at sleep Ashura Buckley has been working to decode the meaning of brain activity that occurs during sleep. In November, she launched a project to assess the genetics, sleep and behavior of neurotypical children and those who have been flagged for, diagnosed with or have an older sibling with a neurodevelopmental condition, such as autism. 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 |
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