Health and social care minister Matt Hancock says he wants to help build a society where autistic people can enjoy their daily lives “without fear of judgement”.  Hancock wants to raise awareness of autism so people are more understanding of...

Researchers have linked faulty cells to the leading single-gene cause of autism — Fragile X syndrome. They found that when brain cells lacking in Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) did not mature it resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria supply...

Vulnerable children are going without vital help in an affluent Tory-run borough because of a special needs funding crisis. That’s the view of Anita Conradi, the Wandsworth officer for the National Education Union (NEU). Conradi says there has been no...

An autism charity has criticised the Labour Party for backing neurodiversity. Charity Thinking Autism accuses the neurodiversity movement of refusing to accept the medical basis for autism. Labour launched its Neurodiversity Manifesto last September. Neurodiversity casts autism as simply a...

Children with severe autism are more likely to struggle as adults with persistent challenging behaviours. That’s the finding of a study by Professor Amaria Baghdadli, a French autism researcher. She specialises in child and adolescent psychiatry at the University Hospital of Montpellier....

The mother of a woman with learning disabilities who died after having all her teeth removed is suing medics. Diana Johnston is taking legal action over the death of daughter Rachel last November. ‘Failed to consult’ over decision to remove...

More help is needed for special needs children in Northern Ireland amid concerns over rocketing autism rates. That’s the view of Karen Mullan, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Northern Ireland, who is Sinn Féin’s education spokesperson. Mullan,...

Population studies on autism rates will never uncover possible links to vaccines. That’s the view of Jackie Fletcher, founder of UK support group Justice, Awareness and Basic Support (JABS). Fletcher made the comments after a population study by Danish researchers...

A mother has removed her autistic son from a school where she alleges he was restrained in a chair “like an animal” and the matter has been reported to the police.  The mother, who wants to be identified only by her...

Families of children with learning disabilities are fighting to go on making decisions for them when they turn 18. Three families went to the High Court on 25 March. They challenged rules that they believe marginalise them after a child...