29 August 2026

Other

• ‘So much fringe science’: RFK Jr’s advisers are pushing an extreme makeover in autism research · The Guardian
  Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s handpicked advisers have released a controversial autism research plan that critics warn prioritizes unproven fringe therapies over established genetic research. Experts and autism advocacy groups argue the roadmap lacks scientific validity and raises concerns about potentially reviving institutional confinement through supported-living models. The initiative follows Kennedy’s overhaul of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, replacing long-standing experts with anti-vaccine advocates. Permalink
• ADHD and autism costs running "out of control" · The Hippocratic Post
  NHS leaders warn that soaring demand for ADHD and autism services has created unsustainable costs, with some areas seeing ten-fold spending increases since the pandemic. The lack of a national pricing tariff combined with the Right to Choose policy has led to massive price variations and severe financial pressure on integrated care boards. Consequently, local health authorities are calling for a national solution as budget constraints force them to delay other critical services or close waiting lists entirely. Permalink
• After years of federal oversight, Georgia’s disability care system faces a new test · Georgia Recorder
  The Justice Department has signaled that it will no longer enforce the landmark Olmstead ruling requiring states to provide community-based care for people with disabilities, arguing that federal law does not mandate such oversight. This shift has raised concerns among advocates and politicians that reduced federal pressure will stall progress in integrating disabled Georgians into their communities, potentially leaving them vulnerable amid potential Medicaid cuts. While some officials argue this is merely a statement of position rather than a change in law, others fear it undermines decades of legal precedent established to protect disability rights. Permalink
• Antidepressant Prescribing Trends for Adults With and Without Autism in the United Kingdom From 1997 to 2023: A Population‐Based Cohort Study Using Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum · onlinelibrary.wiley.com
  A UK population-based cohort study from 1997 to 2023 analyzed trends in antidepressant prescribing for autistic versus non-autistic adults, stratified by intellectual disability and gender. The research highlights the increasing parallel rise in autism diagnoses and antidepressant use while examining specific patterns in indications, doses, and duration across these distinct demographic groups. Permalink
• Atypical Cerebellar Responses are Associated with Altered Neural Habituation during Sensory Stimulation in Autism · onlinelibrary.wiley.com
  This study highlights the cerebellum's previously overlooked role in sensory processing atypicities by identifying atypical cerebellar responses in autistic individuals during sensory stimulation. The research links these responses to altered neural habituation in sensory and limbic regions, providing new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying sensory over-responsivity in autism. Permalink
• AuDHD, the comorbidity of autism and ADHD, is more than the sum of its parts. · Psychology Today
  Research confirms that autism and ADHD co-occur significantly more often than chance would predict, with up to 46 percent of autistic children also having ADHD. This comorbidity creates a unique synergy that intensifies challenges in executive function, emotional regulation, and social interaction beyond what each condition causes individually. Therefore, early identification of both conditions is crucial for providing appropriate supports and improving developmental outcomes for individuals with AuDHD. Permalink
• Disability Studies Is a Rich Discipline That Builds Empathy. How to Teach It (Opinion) · Education Week
  Integrating disability studies into school curricula fosters empathy among all students and affirms the identities of those with disabilities, yet most educators lack training in this rich discipline. Current special education courses often focus solely on logistical accommodations rather than teaching the history, culture, and civil rights movements associated with disability. Expanding exposure to disability history through curriculum can reduce bullying and promote a deeper understanding of intersectional marginalized identities across diverse student populations. Permalink
• Does Your Kid Find Mindfulness Boring? · additudemag.com
  To counter children's resistance to mindfulness, parents should model the practice themselves and reframe it as cognitive fitness training rather than an effort to stop thoughts. Teenagers are more likely to engage when they see peers or influencers using meditation for focus and self-compassion. For younger kids, incorporating mindfulness into playful activities helps build awareness without requiring intense concentration. Permalink
• Donegal-based special education teacher offers advice on how to support neurodivergent children as schools reopen · Highland Radio
  Donegal-based special education teacher Aoife Nic Sheáin is advising parents and educators on supporting neurodivergent children, including those with autism, ADHD, and Persistent Drive for Autonomy, as schools reopen. Her guidance aims to help caregivers navigate the specific needs of these students during the transition back to the classroom. Permalink
• In the News: Voter turnout, acceptance of cannabis use and exercise benefits for ADHD · Brock University
  Recent research from Brock University highlights three distinct findings regarding voter turnout, societal acceptance of cannabis use, and the therapeutic benefits of exercise for individuals with ADHD. These studies collectively address social participation, cultural shifts in drug perception, and non-pharmacological interventions for neurodevelopmental conditions. The work underscores the importance of community engagement and alternative treatment strategies in public health contexts. Permalink
• Johnson County Sheriff’s Office searching for 33-year-old man with autism · FOX4KC.com
  The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office is searching for Todd Jeffrey Earnshaw Jr., a 33-year-old man with autism who has been missing since August 21. He was last seen leaving his home in Stilwell, Kansas, driving a black 2006 Honda Accord with Kansas license plates. Authorities are urging the public to contact dispatch if they spot him or his vehicle in the Kansas City metro area. Permalink
• JP Morgan's Justin Nelson Makes the Case for Hiring Neurodivergent Talent Before Your Competitors Do · The Boca Raton Tribune
  JPMorgan Chase's Autism at Work program demonstrates that hiring neurodivergent talent provides a competitive advantage through measurable gains in productivity, quality, and employee engagement. Justin Nelson argues that employers must shift their recruitment strategies away from social fluency to recognize the exceptional reliability and performance of autistic individuals when provided with clear frameworks. Permalink
• Lessons from the Disability Rights Movement · The Citizen
  The disability rights movement redefines care not as charity but as a fundamental political principle and collective responsibility essential for democratic justice. By challenging neoliberal models that commodify services, activists demand material commitments to accessible infrastructure and inclusive participation rather than relying on family burdens or pity. This framework asserts that true freedom requires dismantling systemic barriers, establishing that a society's moral measure lies in how it ensures dignity for its most marginalized members. Permalink
• Living Desert Renews Certified Autism Center Designation · NBC Palm Springs
  The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens has renewed its Certified Autism Center designation, requiring staff training on sensory needs and safety to better accommodate autistic visitors. This renewal supports the zoo's ongoing efforts to provide inclusive accessibility services such as noise-canceling headphones and sensory bags. It also reinforces the broader Greater Palm Springs area's goal of maintaining its status as a Certified Autism Destination. Permalink
• Mom talks about 5-year-old assaulted by adult at Gilbert autism center · 12News
  A mother revealed that her five-year-old son was assaulted by an adult staff member at a Gilbert autism center. The incident has drawn public attention to safety concerns within special needs care facilities. Details regarding the specific nature of the assault and subsequent investigations remain under report. Permalink
• Paris Hilton Gets Real About Motherhood, ADHD and the Treatment That Changed Her Life · NewBeauty
  Paris Hilton reveals that receiving an ADHD diagnosis in her twenties provided relief and allowed her to reframe the condition as a source of creativity rather than a defect. She emphasizes that early mislabeling during her schooling stemmed from a lack of awareness about how ADHD manifests in girls, leading to unnecessary stigma. Now a mother and advocate, Hilton uses her platform to encourage women with ADHD to embrace their unique cognitive traits and inspire others. Permalink
• Predictors of Change in Severity of Self‐Injurious Behaviors in Preschool‐Aged Autistic Children · onlinelibrary.wiley.com
  A longitudinal study of preschool-aged autistic children reveals that early predictors significantly influence the trajectory of self-injurious behavior severity during childhood. The research tracks these changes across two assessment periods to better understand how factors like IQ and emotion regulation evolve over time. These findings help clarify the developmental course of self-injurious behaviors from early childhood through school age. Permalink
• Psyched Perspectives: Closing the ADHD Diagnostic Gap for Girls and Minority Youth · Psychiatric Times
  The article highlights the significant diagnostic gap for girls and minority youth with ADHD, emphasizing the need to address systemic biases and improve screening practices. It argues that traditional diagnostic criteria often overlook symptoms common in these populations, leading to underdiagnosis and inadequate support. Closing this gap requires culturally competent approaches and greater awareness among healthcare providers to ensure equitable care. Permalink
• Texas Autism Academy marks 10-year anniversary · Community Impact
  Texas Autism Academy celebrated its 10th anniversary by graduating six students who received high school diplomas, marking a significant milestone for the nonprofit's specialized education program. Founded in 2015 to provide an alternative to traditional special education classes, the school has expanded to serve students up to age 21 with accredited diplomas that prepare them for college or workforce programs. Permalink
• West Michigan-based A.I. company, Bridge Space, helping children with autism connect · WZZM13.com
  Bridge Space, an AI company based in West Michigan, utilizes artificial intelligence to help children on the autism spectrum improve their social connections. The technology aims to facilitate better interaction and communication skills for these individuals through tailored digital support. Permalink
• West Michigan-based AI company creates virtual companions to help autistic youth build social skills · WZZM13.com
  A West Michigan AI company has developed virtual companions designed to assist autistic youth in developing their social skills. This technology utilizes artificial intelligence to provide interactive support for young people on the autism spectrum. The initiative aims to bridge social gaps through customized digital engagement tools. Permalink
• Why ADHD is Often Missed in Girls and Minority Groups(1) · Psychiatric Times
  ADHD is frequently underdiagnosed in girls and minority groups because clinical diagnostic criteria and symptom presentations are historically biased toward male behaviors. This systemic oversight leads to significant delays in identifying neurodevelopmental disorders among these populations, resulting in inadequate support and treatment. Recognizing diverse symptom profiles and cultural contexts is essential for accurate diagnosis and equitable healthcare outcomes. Permalink
• WUCF Previews | A World of Difference: Neurodiversity and the College Transition | Preview · PBS
  The provided text is a webpage layout for a WUCF preview segment titled A World of Difference: Neurodiversity and the College Transition rather than an article with specific research findings. It contains navigation menus, subscription prompts, and metadata about PBS programming without detailing the content or key insights of the documentary itself. Consequently no substantive summary of the episode's actual subject matter can be derived from this source. Permalink
• Yayoi Kusama leaves a lasting legacy for neurodivergent and disabled artists (with video) · Plataforma Media
  Yayoi Kusama transformed her life-long visual and auditory hallucinations into a monumental artistic legacy that challenged stigma surrounding neurodivergence and mental health. By channeling these intense perceptual experiences into immersive works, she paved the way for greater institutional recognition and celebration of disabled and neurodivergent artists globally. Her career demonstrates how diverse cognitive perspectives can profoundly enrich the broader cultural landscape through transformative creative expression. Permalink

Summaries are AI-generated and may contain errors; the linked article is the authority.