All posts tagged: autistic

ADHD diagnoses are significantly elevated among autistic adults on Medicaid

ADHD diagnoses are significantly elevated among autistic adults on Medicaid

Published by José Betancourt

An analysis of U.S. Medicaid data found that 26.7% of autistic adults without intellectual disability had an ADHD diagnosis. This was the case for 40.2% of autistic adults with intellectual disability. The paper was published in JAMA Network Open. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by specificities in social communication, sensory processing, and patterns of behavior or interests. It is called a spectrum because its manifestations vary widely, from individuals who need substantial daily support to those who live independently. Autism itself is not a disease and does not inherently imply poor health. However, autistic people have higher rates of certain co-occurring physical and mental health conditions compared with the general population. These commonly include anxiety, depression, ADHD, epilepsy, sleep disorders, and gastrointestinal problems. Barriers to healthcare access, such as communication difficulties and lack of healthcare provider training for working with autistic individuals, can worsen overall health outcomes. Chronic stress from social exclusion, stigma, or masking autistic traits can negatively impact long-term physical and mental health. At the same time, when …

Two-thirds of non-speaking autistic children gain speech with evidence-based therapy

Two-thirds of non-speaking autistic children gain speech with evidence-based therapy

Published by José Betancourt

A large-scale analysis of data on autistic preschoolers reveals that while the majority of children gain spoken language skills after receiving evidence-based early interventions, a distinct subgroup does not experience these same linguistic advances. The research identifies specific developmental characteristics, such as lower motor imitation skills and adaptive behavior scores, that mark the profiles of children who remain non-speaking. These findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology. Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental condition that affects how individuals communicate and interact with the world around them. One of the primary objectives of early therapeutic programs is helping these children acquire spoken language. The ability to speak during the preschool years is widely recognized as a strong predictor of long-term independence, social inclusion, and overall quality of life. Conversely, children who remain non-speaking or minimally speaking by the time they reach school age often face increased risks for lifelong disabilities. Clinical trials have long established that various behavioral and developmental therapies can be effective in promoting speech. However, researchers and clinicians …

Permission to Play: A Well-Being Essential for Autistic Life

Permission to Play: A Well-Being Essential for Autistic Life

Published by Jenni Sidey

Written by Katie Curran, MAPP In conversations about autism and well-being, play is often misunderstood or overlooked entirely. Too often, play is framed as a childhood activity, a break from “real” learning, or something to be earned after more productive work is done. For autistic individuals, this perspective can be especially limiting. But play is not a reward. It is a biological, psychological, and social need (Brown, 2009; National Institute for Play, n.d.). Across the lifespan, play supports emotional regulation, sensory integration, creativity, connection, and meaning. For autistic and neurodivergent people, play can be one of the most accessible and authentic pathways to well-being when we give permission for it to exist on their terms. What Do We Mean by Play? Play is often narrowly defined as pretend games, sports, or social interaction. Yet research and lived experience tell a broader story. According to the National Institute for Play, play is a state of mind as much as an activity that is voluntary, intrinsically motivated, flexible, and pleasurable (National Institute for Play, n.d.). Stuart Brown, …

Vote in our Independent Women poll: Is the new ‘autistic Barbie’ good for representation?

Vote in our Independent Women poll: Is the new ‘autistic Barbie’ good for representation?

Published by Daniella Wilson

Join the Independent Women newsletter with Victoria Richards for a thoughtful take on the week’s headlines Join the Independent Women newsletter  Join the Independent Women newsletter  Each week, the Independent Women newsletter takes a closer look at the stories shaping women’s lives – from the moments that inspire to the issues that frustrate, challenge and spark debate. Alongside my take and reflections from readers, the newsletter also features a weekly poll, giving our community the chance to weigh in on the topics behind the headlines and see how others are feeling. You can vote in this week’s poll below. We’ll update this article weekly with the latest question and publish the final results once voting closes, so you can track how views change over time. For more commentary on the week’s biggest talking points, make sure you’re signed up to the Independent Women newsletter. Not subscribed yet? It’s free and easy to join – just head to our newsletter preference centre, press the ‘+’ button next to Independent Women, and enter your email address. You …

How realistic is Mattel’s new autistic Barbie?

How realistic is Mattel’s new autistic Barbie?

Published by skeptic

Autistic people are so rarely depicted in media and entertainment, it’s no wonder most people don’t really understand much about the neurotype. So we were pleased to see the launch of autistic Barbie. Autism is a life-long neurodevelopmental difference, meaning autistic children grow into autistic adults. As autistic researchers, who advocate for the increased meaningful representation of our community, it was a good sign that multinational toy company Mattel worked with an autistic-led advocacy organisation based in the US, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, in creating this new toy. We have seen mixed reviews from autistic people since the launch, with some praising representation while others have been more critical of the doll. Here are some considerations about her features to help you make up your own mind. The tablet Autistic Barbie is shown with a tablet with an augmented and alternative communication (AAC) application, which speaks aloud when buttons are pressed. Some autistic people find communicating extremely challenging, and around a third cannot communicate reliably by speaking. This leads to needs going unmet, feeling …

First ever autistic Barbie doll to represent neurodivergent children

First ever autistic Barbie doll to represent neurodivergent children

Published by Daniella Wilson

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more The launch of the first Barbie doll representing autistic individuals has been warmly received by campaigners and charities, who praise it as a step towards more “authentic, joyful” representation for neurodivergent children. The doll incorporates specific design elements, carefully chosen to reflect experiences common among some autistic people. These include loose clothing, intended to minimise fabric-to-skin contact, and an eye gaze subtly directed to the side, mirroring how some autistic individuals may avoid direct eye contact. Each doll also comes with a pink fidget spinner to reduce stress and enhance focus, and noise-cancelling headphones to block out background sounds and limit sensory overload. Mattel said the doll “invites more children to see themselves represented in Barbie”. The finished product was created with input from …

Language learning rates in autistic children decline exponentially after age two

Language learning rates in autistic children decline exponentially after age two

Published by José Betancourt

A new study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders suggests that the ability to comprehend complex language relies on a developmental window that may close significantly earlier for autistic children than for their neurotypical peers. The findings suggest that while autistic children initially acquire the cognitive skills necessary for language comprehension at a typical rate, their learning pace tends to slow down exponentially starting as early as two years of age. Complex language comprehension involves more than just understanding individual words. It requires a cognitive function known as Prefrontal Synthesis. This is the ability to mentally combine separate objects or concepts into a novel image or scene. This skill allows a person to understand the difference between “the dog bit the boy” and “the boy bit the dog.” Without Prefrontal Synthesis, individuals may struggle to understand sentences that rely on word order, spatial prepositions, or recursive structures. This specific deficit is common among individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Estimates suggest that between 30 and 40 percent of individuals with autism experience significant …

New research challenges Western assumptions about autistic social cognition

New research challenges Western assumptions about autistic social cognition

Published by José Betancourt

A new study found that non-autistic U.K. adults are less able to understand animations (representing specific words) generated by autistic individuals compared to animations generated by non-autistic individuals. In contrast, in the Japanese group, there were no differences between autistic and non-autistic individuals in their understanding of animations generated by autistic individuals. The research was published in Molecular Autism. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social communication, sensory processing, and patterns of interests and behavior. Autistic people tend to perceive, process, and respond to information in ways that differ from how non-autistic individuals do. Their brains process and interpret information in a different way than non-autistic individuals. This often creates problems in communication between autistic and non-autistic individuals. An important aspect of these communication problems is that non-autistic people tend to assume their own social intuitions are universal. This leads them to misinterpret autistic communication styles, such as direct speech, reduced eye contact, or atypical prosody (rhythm, stress, pitch, intonation patterns, and the overall way one speaks). As a result, non-autistic individuals …

These character traits might mean you are autistic. This is how to get diagnosed

These character traits might mean you are autistic. This is how to get diagnosed

Published by Daniella Wilson

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Entrepreneur Natasha Nelson always knew she was different. The 35-year old from Stone Mountain, Georgia, struggled with establishing social norms. She found small talk difficult, and couldn’t understand why people did things like make the bed. She was diagnosed with autism in 2023 – just after her youngest daughter was also diagnosed. Now, Nelson is encouraging people to seek a diagnosis if they also think, or have long had suspicion, that they could be on the spectrum. “If your life has always felt like it was in chaos and you don’t feel comfortable and you don’t feel like you thrive and you just feel like you’re constantly surviving and going from one thing to the next, what you got to lose?” Nelson said. Common signs of autism include trouble with social …