Many autistic people might have some form of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), researchers believe. They are investigating whether people with autism are more vulnerable to PTSD. Among them is Dr Connor Kerns, assistant professor of psychology at the University...

A charity has called for a review of a controversial learning disability hospital where staff abused patients to be made public. The National Autistic Society (NAS) says it is in the public interest for the report on Muckamore Abbey, in County...

Thousands of children are misdiagnosed with autism and mental health problems, a charity claims. Charity PANS PANDAS UK says the wrong diagnosis affects children with neuropsychiatric disorders triggered by infections including strep throat. The charity raises awareness of PANS and PANDAS....

Hospitals’ use of restraint on adults with learning disabilities rose by almost 50 per cent between 2016 and 2017. A BBC File on 4 investigation found that in 2016 hospitals in England used restraint 15,000 times, and a year later...

Researchers are recruiting autistic adults who have gut problems to test whether faecal transplants help. Arizona State University (ASU) is carrying out the study. It follows earlier research by the same team suggesting children with autism who have gut problems...

One of Scotland’s top universities is encouraging more students with learning disabilities to apply for places. Charity Enable Scotland is behind the move to widen access to Strathclyde University. The programme is known as Breaking Barriers. Under it, eight students have...

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) wants to employ more people with autism to help fight off online threats. Reports suggest the centre believes people with autism could make a key contribution in the battle against cyber attacks. The...

A pioneering researcher trialling cannabis for autism says one of his latest studies has produced “really exciting results”. Israeli researcher Dr Adi Aran says his work is focused on understanding why cannabis compound cannabidiol (CBD) might work in autism. The...

People with learning disabilities may end up “shut off from society” in institutions because of a recruitment crisis in learning disability nursing. That’s the view of Dame Professor Donna Kinnair of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). Kinnair, who is...

The current system of safeguards for people with autism and learning disabilities in care homes and hospitals is “falling over”. That’s the view of Baroness Ilora Finlay, who chairs the National Mental Capacity Forum. The Welsh doctor argues that the current...