The article highlights effective, reader-tested responses to negative or unhelpful comments about ADHD, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and advocating for understanding. Examples include redirecting criticism, explaining ADHD as a neurological difference, and challenging misconceptions about effort and ability. These responses aim to foster empathy and reduce stigma around ADHD.
An 18-year-old boy with autism was allegedly forced to live in a shed without electricity, running water, or a bathroom by his mother and her boyfriend in Cheatham County, Tennessee, leading to their charges. The teen reportedly suffered from dehydration and was fed through a window, with his mother claiming she moved him to the shed as an incentive to find a job. Advocates for the autism community have condemned the alleged treatment as unacceptable.
A certified professional organizer and ADHD expert, Alison Lush, explains that chronic disorganization among people with ADHD is often linked to impaired working memory and executive functioning, leading to persistent clutter and shame. She offers six practical tips to help individuals manage their clutter and break the cycle of shame by focusing on realistic, sustainable organization strategies. Lush emphasizes that being organized doesn't mean perfection, but rather being able to easily locate and store items without excessive difficulty.
Penn State Altoona will host an affinity group for neurodiverse students on September 15 to foster community and connection through conversations, games, and coffee. The group, facilitated by a residence life coordinator and a mental health counselor, meets every three weeks and provides peer support without offering therapy. All students are welcome to attend and build connections with others who share similar experiences.
The Scottish government's decision to abandon the Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill has been criticized for undermining the rights and support of neurodivergent individuals and the broader disabled community. Advocates argue that the bill, shaped over five years with significant input from affected communities, was crucial for meaningful improvements in their lives and should not be discarded due to shifting political priorities. The move has sparked widespread disappointment and calls for the government to reconsider its stance.
The author discovered her son Ben's challenging behavior was a sign of ADHD, which led her to reflect on her own undiagnosed ADHD from childhood. She learned that understanding and accepting ADHD can change parenting approaches, emphasizing compassion over criticism. The diagnosis did not change who Ben is, but provided insight into how to support him while maintaining accountability and nurturing his unique strengths.
The article explains that individuals with ADHD often experience intense emotions, either expressing them outwardly or internalizing them, and that motherhood can be especially challenging due to these emotional and executive functioning difficulties. The author shares her journey of understanding and managing her ADHD, including the impact of multiple life stressors and the importance of self-acceptance and prioritizing self-care. She emphasizes that managing ADHD is essential for maintaining mental health and being an effective parent.
A common myth about ADHD is that it only affects children, but research shows that it often persists into adulthood. Dr. Feldman emphasizes that ADHD in adults can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing symptoms effectively.
Kentucky-based Mystic Zebra Crafts is creating a permanent space for disabled and neurodivergent individuals to sell handmade goods, learn skills, and connect with others. The initiative, started to support the co-founder's disabled son, now includes multiple crafters who are building their own businesses and teaching entrepreneurship to their children. The group is seeking a permanent location to expand its impact and provide an accessible, supportive community for neurodivergent and disabled individuals.
Lafayette police are seeking public help in locating a 10-year-old autistic boy who was last seen at Miller Elementary School wearing a white shirt and black pants. The police department has since confirmed that the missing juvenile has been located.
A webinar on October 22 will teach people with ADHD how to better interpret body language and social cues to improve communication and reduce misunderstandings. Dr. Sharon Saline will provide strategies for managing social interactions, including techniques to avoid interruptions, ask clarifying questions, and respond effectively to mixed signals. The session aims to help participants become more confident and attentive communicators in various aspects of life.
The author's dying wife, Simone, diagnosed him with ADHD shortly before her death, a revelation that profoundly impacted his life. This insight led him to seek a formal diagnosis, which he received in 2023, helping him understand and accept himself. The diagnosis has since transformed his life, enabling him to embrace responsibility and find fulfillment as a father and individual.
NeuroCyber has been granted charity status, allowing it to expand its efforts in supporting neurodivergent individuals in the cybersecurity field. The organization aims to create a more inclusive profession by offering programs, partnerships, and initiatives that help neurodivergent people build successful careers and assist employers in fostering inclusive workplaces. NeuroCyber is also launching the NeuroCyber Charter to encourage organizations to commit to neuro-inclusive practices across all aspects of employment.
The article argues that neurodiversity challenges traditional psychotherapy and healthcare models by highlighting the need for neuroaffirmative approaches that recognize diverse neurological experiences. It emphasizes the importance of relational-proximity priors in improving clinical, institutional, and AI-supported models of care. The study calls for a reevaluation of current practices to better accommodate neurodiverse individuals.
The new B3 Clubhouse provides a supportive environment for adults with disabilities, fostering social inclusion and reducing the fear of judgment. It offers various programs and activities designed to empower individuals and promote community engagement. This initiative highlights a commitment to creating inclusive spaces that encourage personal growth and mutual support.
New research highlights a significant gap in employer preparedness to support neurodiverse employees, coinciding with a 95% increase in tribunal claims related to neurodiversity issues over five years. The findings suggest that many organizations lack adequate policies and training to accommodate neurodiverse workers, leading to a rise in legal disputes. The study underscores the urgent need for improved workplace inclusivity and understanding of neurodiversity.
An Allentown nonprofit, Community Services for Children, has introduced a sensory closet filled with items designed to help neurodivergent children aged 3 to 5 prepare for kindergarten by addressing their sensory needs. The closet includes tools for texture input, body regulation, and movement, aiming to make children feel more comfortable and at ease. The initiative was supported by the Junior League of the Lehigh Valley.
People with ADHD have nearly double the risk of constipation, a 58% higher risk of irritable bowel syndrome, and over four times the risk of encopresis compared to those without ADHD. The study, the first systematic review on gut symptoms in ADHD, highlights a significant link between ADHD and gastrointestinal issues, suggesting potential connections through lifestyle factors, medication effects, and gut microbiota differences. Researchers urge healthcare providers to consider gastrointestinal symptoms when treating ADHD and recommend further investigation into the gut-brain axis.
A new critique challenges the interpretation of a study showing increasing physical restraint disparities between autistic and non-autistic youth with age, arguing that the original analysis incorrectly inferred differences based on statistical significance within age groups. The authors highlight a common statistical error, emphasizing that lack of significance in one group does not prove the absence of disparity, and stress the need for formal interaction tests to assess differences across groups. This critique has important implications for how inequities in healthcare are measured and addressed.
Raising a child with ADHD can mirror the parent's own experiences with the condition, offering both challenges and opportunities for understanding and empathy. The author reflects on her son's ADHD symptoms and how they echo her own, highlighting the importance of awareness, compassion, and radical acceptance in parenting. By recognizing these parallels, she aims to foster a supportive environment that helps her son embrace his identity without shame.
A school paraprofessional in Okaloosa County, Heather Bildstein, was arrested and charged with child abuse without great harm after allegedly hitting a 5-year-old autistic student in the face. The incident occurred following an altercation where the child knocked Bildstein's glasses off, and two witnesses reported seeing her strike the child. Bildstein claimed she stopped her hand before contact, but no injuries were observed.
Strong negative reactions to everyday sensory stimuli, known as sensory over-responsivity, are uniquely linked to autism and anxiety, but not to other neuropsychiatric conditions like ADHD, according to a study analyzing data from over 15,000 children. The findings suggest that sensory over-responsivity may result from overlapping neurodevelopmental traits rather than being specific to any single condition. The study highlights potential shared neurobiological roots between autism and anxiety in relation to sensory processing.
The City of York Council has introduced peer support services for neurodivergent residents, delivered by Daisy Chain, as part of the Connecting Our City project. The initiative, aligned with York's All-age Autism and ADHD Strategy, provides free mental health support for adults who identify as autistic or ADHD, including drop-in sessions, one-to-one appointments, and workshops. The program aims to improve wellbeing by offering accessible, community-based support from peers and experts.
The Timms Review's draft recommendations for the future of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) have raised concerns, suggesting a shift from a cash-only benefit to a mix of cash, services, and support based on "cost categories." While some improvements are highlighted, such as maintaining PIP as non-means tested and increasing transparency, the vague language and lack of a clear eligibility framework for the new benefit have sparked fears of unequal treatment among disabled people. The proposals also raise questions about the impact on those with invisible impairments, as highlighted by the upcoming Fonagy report and recent mental health funding plans.
A neurodivergent Wendy’s employee was tied to kitchen equipment by a manager in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, prompting the employee’s family to call for a reopened investigation. The manager claimed the act was a TikTok trend, but coworkers and the employee’s family disputed this, arguing it was not a joke. The incident led to the manager’s termination, but no charges were filed, and the family seeks further police action.
Children with ADHD aged 8-12 retell stories less completely and coherently than neurotypical peers, which may affect their social and educational experiences. The use of visual aids was found to help reduce this gap, improving the coherence and completeness of their story retellings. This suggests that visual supports can be effective tools in creating more inclusive learning environments for children with ADHD.
Wells Fargo is expanding its neurodiversity hiring program amid a broader trend in the banking industry to scale back on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The move highlights a focus on neurodiversity as a specific area of inclusion despite the industry's reduced emphasis on broader DEI efforts. This expansion reflects a strategic approach to talent acquisition and workforce diversity in a shifting corporate landscape.
Western Illinois University’s Autism Clinic of Excellence (WACE) has received a $45,000 grant from the Tracy Family Foundation to expand its telehealth services through the ECHO for Autism program. The funding will support WACE’s efforts to provide additional support for educators and families in Illinois, using an innovative “All Teach, All Learn” model. The Tracy Family Foundation has been a key partner in supporting WACE since 2024.