Resolving the crisis in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) requires a radical overhaul of the early years sector, according to Julian Grenier, a member of the Department for Education's SEND Inclusion in Education Expert Group. Writing in Tes magazine, Grenier highlights that eight in ten settings have reported significant increases in children with SEND, with many providers now full or forcing vulnerable children onto... READ MORE

Research published in the journal Autism reveals that physical activity plays a significantly more critical role in sleep quality for autistic adults compared to non-autistic people. The study analysed data from 318 autistic adults and 130 family members using wrist-worn devices over three weeks to track movement and rest. The primary group of autistic participants was demographically diverse, identifying as 68.3% Caucasian, 6.2% Black, 3.4%... READ MORE

New research suggests that sustained speech therapy helps two-thirds of autistic children develop spoken language, with the duration of treatment proving more important than intensity. Researchers from Drexel University in Philadelphia tracked 707 autistic preschoolers aged between 15 months and five years. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, evaluated children participating in intervention... READ MORE

The Australian federal government has agreed to delay the introduction of controversial changes to NDIS autism support services following a national cabinet meeting in Sydney on Friday. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the delay to the 'Thriving Kids' program as part of a broader agreement that secures an additional Aus$25 billion in hospital funding over the next five years. The 'Thriving Kids' initiative, originally scheduled to... READ MORE

A residential care home for autistic adults in Worcester has been placed in special measures after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated it "inadequate" across all areas. Bethany Lodge, managed by the Accomplish Group, was inspected in October 2025 following whistleblowing reports from staff and external professionals. The subsequent report identified six breaches of legal regulations and highlighted serious safety concerns. One significant... READ MORE

The Counseling and School Psychology Clinic at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is introducing a new support group this February for neurodivergent undergraduate and graduate students. This initiative welcomes both self-identified students and those with formal diagnoses, aiming to form a specific cohort of six to eight participants. Meetings are scheduled for Mondays from 6:00pm to 7:30pm at the Teachers College Hall and will continue for... READ MORE

The traditional scientific pursuit of a "normal" brain is increasingly viewed as a flawed premise. As highlighted by New Scientist, the 21st century has seen a radical departure from the idea that there is a single, idealized blueprint for human cognition. Instead of viewing deviations from a perceived norm as "broken" or "disordered," researchers now understand that human brains are naturally diverse, with no two people being wired in... READ MORE

HR professionals are facing a complex landscape of emerging health issues that demand a shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. According to Dr. Bernard Yew, Chief Medical Officer at PAM Group, employers must navigate five critical challenges: soaring neurodiversity cases, the side effects of weight loss medications, rising substance use, a focus on preventative care, and the impact of personal relationships on mental health. A... READ MORE

A study involving over 900 neurodivergent adults in the United Kingdom has highlighted a complex relationship with the terms "neurodiversity" and "neurodivergent." While the research, published in PsyPost, found that 74% of participants use this language to describe themselves, feelings toward the terminology remain mixed. Many participants appreciate the term "neurodivergent" as a "safe umbrella" that fosters a sense of community and allows... READ MORE

Jeremy Nagel, a PhD candidate at RMIT University in Australia, is aiming to transform the tech landscape by turning his personal journey with Autism and ADHD into a mission for systemic inclusivity. After facing significant early-career hurdles, including the loss of five consecutive jobs due to executive dysfunction and emotional regulation challenges, Nagel utilized his late diagnoses as a blueprint for innovation. He developed Focus Bear... READ MORE

According to New Scientist, there might be a reason to reconsider "autism as a spectrum". Well, partly, at least. For decades, the autism spectrum has been the dominant framework for understanding neurodiversity. However, emerging research is challenging this linear model, suggesting that autism may actually consist of several distinct biological "types" rather than a single sliding scale of severity. The traditional spectrum model implies... READ MORE

A new study provides insight into why children born to older fathers may have a higher likelihood of developing autism. Researchers have identified age-related changes in sperm DNA methylation that cluster near genes linked to autism and brain development. The study, originally published in Aging, examined sperm from 63 healthy men. It focused on epigenetics - chemical marks that regulate gene activity without altering the DNA code. The team... READ MORE

The UK education system is inadequately preparing neurodiverse young people for the complexities of the 21st-century workforce, according to a recent paper by Gavin Hoole. While many students struggle with the transition from adolescence to adulthood, those with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia are particularly vulnerable to systemic failures. The research highlights that many people leave school without the essential skills or accommodations... READ MORE

The UK's Department for Education (DfE) has announced that every teacher and school staff member in England will receive training on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and inclusion. Backed by a £200 million investment, this "landmark" programme aims to upskill the entire education workforce to ensure better support for neurodivergent pupils in mainstream settings. The initiative introduces a new requirement in the SEND Code... READ MORE

Pregnant women should feel reassured that taking paracetamol is safe and does not increase the risk of autism or ADHD in children, a major new scientific review has concluded. Published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women's Health, the research analysed 43 "gold-standard" studies involving hundreds of thousands of people. By focusing on sibling comparisons, researchers dismissed genetic and family factors previously thought to link... READ MORE

The recent rebranding of Bakerloo line stations to "Bakerl0.0" as part of a Heineken advertising campaign has sparked significant concern regarding its impact on accessibility. While Transport for London views the deal as a vital funding source, disability advocates warn that altering essential signage creates dangerous barriers for neurodivergent people. For many autistic passengers, consistent and predictable information is a cornerstone of... READ MORE

New research published in Autism highlights a critical need to shift from deficit-based diagnostic models to neurodiversity-affirming assessments. A study of 127 autistic adults found that participants self-reported significant strengths, particularly in cognitive functioning (61%), character (55%), and creative arts (52%). Other notable areas included academic and interpersonal skills. Researchers, including both autistic and non-autistic... READ MORE

Clinical psychologist Dr Freya Spicer-White argues in an article from Tes Magazine that the UK's upcoming Schools White Paper must move beyond the "all or nothing" debate over Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) numbers. She proposes three structural reforms to resolve the current SEND crisis. First, the government should introduce a tiered assessment model. This replaces the single, high-stakes threshold with a continuum of statutory... READ MORE

Mattel has unveiled a significant milestone in toy history: the first-ever Autistic Barbie. Created in close partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), a group run by and for autistic people, this doll is designed to champion representation and allow more children to see themselves reflected in their play. The design team spent 18 months consulting with ASAN to ensure the doll authentically represents common autistic... READ MORE

The number of children requiring Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support in London has reached record levels, increasing by nearly a third over the last decade. Department for Education figures reveal that 267,368 pupils now require assistance, with the number of autistic students in the capital surging by 158% since 2015. The surge has placed immense pressure on local authorities. London Councils warns of a projected... READ MORE

In the US, Santa Fe College student Joseph Krasnoselsky has developed an "Autism Awareness Training Program" to try to address the lack of resources for autistic adults in education. While support often focuses on children, Krasnoselsky is advocating for better education across colleges, universities, and public agencies to help people understand how to interact with those who have intellectual and behavioural disabilities. The training... READ MORE

The UK government is planning to introduce a "ladder of support" for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) as part of an upcoming schools White Paper. Speaking in Darlington, schools minister Georgia Gould emphasized that the reforms aim to equip schools more effectively by encouraging closer collaboration between mainstream and specialist sectors. The minister noted that many teachers feel isolated and require better... READ MORE

A new study challenges the assumption that autistic adults avoid physical contact, revealing they engage in social touch as frequently as non-autistic peers despite generally finding it less comfortable. Researchers from Durham University utilised a novel digital 'body-painting' task and a co-designed questionnaire to survey 31 autistic and 43 non-autistic adults. Participants coloured on-screen body silhouettes to visually map their... READ MORE

Leading researchers have reaffirmed that autism is primarily driven by genetics, countering recent political claims from the US Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has sought to identify a singular environmental cause. Despite Kennedy's dismissal of genetic research as a "dead end" and his missed deadline to identify an external culprit by September, scientific consensus remains firm, and experts assert that autism... READ MORE

A stark new briefing paper from the EIS teaching union has exposed the "far-reaching consequences" of a massive rise in pupils with Additional Support Needs (ASN) across Scotland. Drawing on government data and a 2025 survey of over 11,000 teachers, the report reveals that the proportion of pupils with ASN has skyrocketed by 710 per cent since 2007, rising from 5.3 per cent to 43 per cent of the total school population. Crucially, this surge... READ MORE

A study in the UK by Jasmin Dipre, Lauren Burton, and Matthew J Hollocks, has put forward new kind of intervention which aims to specifically target cognitive inflexibility in autistic youths. The 'Thinking Flexibly' intervention was co-designed with autistic youth based on previous work, including cognitive remediation therapy. Autistic people often have greater difficulties with flexible thinking when compared to those without autism... READ MORE

Scientists have successfully grown 'mini brains' in a lab to pinpoint the cellular mechanisms responsible for brain overgrowth, a known early biomarker of autism. Led by the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, the team collected blood samples from 18 individuals involved in the long-running Infant Brain Imaging Study. By reprogramming white blood cells into pluripotent stem cells, they cultivated brain organoids-tiny 3D tissue... READ MORE

For autistic students like Albie, the noise of the classroom and the emotional demands of socialising often make school feel unsafe. Headteacher Stephen Day argues that for these people, the lunch break can be the most challenging part of the day. Without a "tribe" or a sense of belonging, attendance inevitably suffers. Recent statistics highlight a stark divide: pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) have an absence rate of... READ MORE

Research from the University of Exeter suggests that the origins of autism and schizophrenia may lie in the earliest stages of brain development. By examining nearly 1,000 human brains, scientists created a detailed map of DNA methylation-chemical "tags" that switch genes on or off-from six weeks after conception to 108 years of age. The study found that the vast majority of these epigenetic changes occur before birth. Significant "switch... READ MORE

Funding has been approved for Trym Valley Academy, a new specialist SEND free school in Bristol designed to support 164 children and young people with complex needs. Located on the former Elmfield School site in Southmead, the project is part of a £3bn government reform programme. The academy aims to address the rising demand for specialist places, supporting Bristol City Council's target of creating 569 additional spaces. By offering a... READ MORE

A study from Flinders and Macquarie Universities explored how 22 autistic young people, aged 9 to 22, experienced social interactions within immersive virtual reality (VR). The researchers aimed to move away from traditional "social skills training" and instead look at VR as a tool to make the social environment itself more accessible and comfortable. The study identified three main ways that VR can support autistic people in social settings... READ MORE

New research published in the Journal of Affective Disorders has identified a potential biological link between the gut microbiome and social anxiety disorder (SAD). By transplanting gut bacteria from adolescents with SAD into newborn rats, scientists observed the development of anxiety-like behaviours and significant metabolic changes in the medial prefrontal cortex, a brain region vital for social processing. For people with autism, these... READ MORE

In the Philippines, Senator Camille Villar is advocating for legislation to create a more inclusive environment for people with autism and sensory disabilities, framing the issue as a human rights imperative. Speaking at the "iMvisible" art exhibit in the Philippines, Villar introduced the Safe Sound and Sensory Awareness Month Act, which seeks to designate October as a national month for raising awareness about neurodiversity. The proposed... READ MORE

A report from the University of Maryland offers a blueprint for treating adults with autism and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) who typically lose access to specialised care after leaving paediatric services. The Clinical Center for Adults with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (CCAND) utilises a state-funded, multidisciplinary model involving neurologists, genetic counsellors, and social workers to ensure continuity of support. Over five... READ MORE

Tom Boyd, a 28-year-old autistic man, has been officially hired as a "paid partner" by Waitrose following a controversy over his previous volunteer role. The dispute began when Mr Boyd, who had stacked shelves unpaid at the Cheadle Hulme branch since 2021, had his placement terminated by Head Office after his mother asked if he could receive payment for his work. This decision caused a public outcry, prompting rival supermarket Asda to step... READ MORE

Two people from Massachusetts have been charged with exploiting a vulnerable adult after allegedly tricking an autistic man into sending them nearly $20,000. Francisco Javier Escribano and Michaela Dorothy Francis reportedly targeted the victim, whom they knew from childhood, while he was attending college in Utah. Investigators state that the couple invented severe hardship scenarios to manipulate the victim. For example, they claimed they... READ MORE

The Scottish Human Rights Commission's "State of the Nation 2025" report warns that both the Scottish and UK governments are failing to uphold the fundamental rights of disabled people. The watchdog identifies urgent concerns regarding independent living, stating that support for autistic people and people with learning difficulties is "inadequate". Consequently, many people are forced into inappropriate, institutional accommodation rather... READ MORE

The festive season presents significant challenges for autistic children, primarily due to sensory overload and the total disruption of familiar routines. Activities such as school nativities, crowded Christmas markets, and long queues for Santa's grotto create environments that are unpredictable and physically overwhelming. As highlighted by George Lewis, whose children are autistic, the conflict between the excitement of the season and the... READ MORE

A new study from City St George's, University of London, establishes a robust link between newspaper reading habits and public attitudes towards autism. Published in the journal Autism, the research surveyed 277 non-autistic adults, analysing their consumption of 10 major British newspapers against their explicit views and unconscious biases. The study controlled for factors such as age, education, and politics, confirming that media... READ MORE

The UK-based Special Needs Jungle describes the Department for Education's (DfE) purported "national conversation" regarding SEND reform as "performative, chaotic and desperate". The journal argues that this engagement exercise - comprising a survey and online events - is simply timed too close to the upcoming Schools White Paper (in January 2026) to genuinely influence policy, suggesting that decisions have likely already been made. Critics... READ MORE

This significant study highlights a critical intersection between neurodivergence and gender identity, revealing that transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) autistic adolescents are at a markedly elevated risk of depression. Analysing data from over 9,000 autistic teenagers within the Simons Powering Autism Research for Knowledge cohort, researchers found that TGD identity was a powerful predictor of depression-specifically depression, rather... READ MORE

The introduction of an immersive sensory room at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, marks a vital step in making emergency care accessible for neurodiverse patients. Set up by Robert and Gemma Cummings, the project addresses the severe challenges that autistic children face in busy hospital environments where a barrage of sights, sounds, and smells often triggers sensory overload. For many families, the trauma associated with... READ MORE

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced a £3 billion investment to create 50,000 new specialist places for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), primarily within mainstream schools. This initiative aims to reduce travel distances and ensure children remain embedded in their local communities, addressing rising home-to-school transport costs which saw councils overspend by £415 million last year. However... READ MORE

The UK's Department for Education has launched a major public engagement campaign to reshape the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system. Acknowledging that the current system is failing too many families, Minister for School Standards Georgia Gould is initiating a "national conversation" to place parents, carers, and professionals at the heart of future reforms. The campaign features nine face-to-face events - starting in... READ MORE

Dorothy Pietersen, a resident of Mitchell's Plain in South Africa, has published a book, The Beauty in Being Different, which chronicles her twenty-year experience raising a neurodiverse son and offers guidance and hope to other families navigating similar paths. Pietersen has pledged all proceeds to a foundation she established to assist families of children with special needs. The narrative focuses on her son, Jean, born in 2001 and... READ MORE

England's special educational needs (SEN) system is facing a financial crisis, with costs rising 60% since 2015. The 2014 introduction of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) created legally binding obligations that have overwhelmed local authorities. With tribunal appeals quadrupling and diagnoses for conditions like Autism and ADHD trebling, councils are increasingly funding expensive private placements due to a lack of state capacity... READ MORE

A report published by Sage investigated whether disparities exist in the amount of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy received by Medicaid-enrolled autistic youth. Analyzing billing records for 1,028 children in Michigan, researchers examined if factors like race, ethnicity, sex, or living in a rural area affected the number of service hours provided. The study found that while younger children correctly received more therapy hours than... READ MORE

Ministers have firmly denied that proposals to centrally absorb the significant debts accumulated by local councils for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support will reduce funding for schools. This assurance comes amidst growing anxiety over a multi-billion pound deficit in the high-needs block, often referred to as a "black hole" in education finances. The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has faced questions from... READ MORE

A new perspective article published in the open-access journal mBio argues that despite the growing prevalence of autism and neurodivergence, STEM workplaces remain systematically exclusionary. The authors contend that neurodivergent scientists often possess valuable traits such as hyper-focus and objective reasoning, yet they face intense pressure to 'mask' their differences to fit into rigid social norms. This demand for conformity, they... READ MORE

New data has revealed a crisis in Scotland's neurodevelopmental services, with over 42,000 children currently waiting for assessments for conditions such as autism and ADHD. Experts warn that at the current rate of processing, it will take at least four years to clear this backlog. The Scottish Children's Services Coalition has described the situation as unmanageable, noting that the recent funding pledge of 500,000 pounds from the Scottish... READ MORE