Open Society

Recently the Lancet published a Commission on the future of care and clinical research of autism, which included a side panel arguing for the adoption of “profound autism”, a term in- tended to describe autistic people who require constant supervision or care, thought to usually have significant intellectual disability, limited or no language, and an inability to advocate for themselves. This state-of-the-art review deconstructs problems with autism sublabels such as “profound autism” and low- and high-functioning labels. It then examines the communicative and cognitive capacities of minimally speaking autistic people, finding that such individuals can communicate (especially with responsive partners) and need nonverbal testing that allows them to demonstrate their potential strengths. It concludes with the ability of minimally speaking autistic people to self-advocate, and the influences of other people to both support and frustrate their communication.

It is one thing to advocate for a child when he or she is unable to advocate, and another to claim that your opinion is your child’s opinion

Congress and the FCC must expand broadband programs that give Americans access to education, jobs and vital services.

Autistic children are often reported less socially connected, while recent studies show autistic children experiencing more loneliness in school than allistic (...

In a candid discussion with INET's Lynn Parramore, Dr. Phillip Alvelda highlights the imminent dangers of long COVID, criticizing governments and health agencies for ongoing preventable suffering and deaths. *This is Part 2 of a two-part interview.

Abstract. Although Galton recognized in the 1880s that some individuals lack visual imagery, this phenomenon was mostly neglected over the following centur

Since Texas’ ban on abortion went into effect, infant deaths in the state increased by nearly 13%, according to a new analysis published on Monday in JAMA Pediatrics.

Rhyming Multisensory Stories. Storytelling through the Senses. Connecting individuals with special educational needs and disabilities aged 3-19 to literature, culture, history and topic

So, the research on 'intensive intervention' for autistic children ? No evidence of it working. Countless thousands of autistic children whose young lives were just endless exhausting 'intensive therapy'. And for nothing, it seems. — Ann Memmott PgC MA (@AnnMemmott)

This meta-analysis investigates if the amount of intervention provided to young autistic children is associated with improved child development.

Scientists asked participants to take part in an out-of-body-experience illusion to test their hypothesis.

This week, Taylor Lorenz fights our latest moral panic. Are phones really making kids anxious, or are kids just good at noticing what's going on? Listen to Taylor's podcast, Power User Read Taylor in the Washington Post ...and her book, Extremely Online Support You're Wrong About:Bonus Episodes on PatreonBuy cute merchWhere else to find us:Sarah's other show, You Are GoodLinks:https://podcasts.voxmedia.com/show/power-user-with-taylor-lorenzhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/people/taylor-lorenz/https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Extremely-Online/Taylor-Lorenz/9781982146863https://www.patreon.com/yourewrongabouthttps://www.teepublic.com/stores/youre-wrong-abouthttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/yourewrongaboutpodhttps://www.podpage.com/you-are-good

Another documentary illustrates a disturbing pattern of abuse in the UK that disproportionately impacts children with disabilities.

The gap is increasing nationwide, especially in counties that had been subject to federal oversight until the Supreme Court invalidated preclearance in 2013.

NOTE: this essay is a 15 minute read. If it’s listed as longer than that, it’s because it contains a list of over 100 references at the…

Four new studies illuminate biologic underpinnings + an update

Many marginalized patients with disabilities reside in nursing homes and are more susceptible to antibiotic under- and overtreatment.

Read online, download a free PDF, or order a copy in print.

Labels Matter: Disorder vs. Difference An extra one this week as I am taking a week off from my newsletter next week.

The hidden roots of white evangelical parenting manuals

The website of the already-defunct MTV News has been fully pulled offline.

A very large portion of early autism intervention research is… conducted by the same people who design or provide the interventions.

Movement of the body is an essential way to characterise autism, according to diagnostic criteria. However, qualifying descriptions of what autistic movements a...

spanbWhat is already known?/bMoving the body in 'stereotyped', 'repetitive', 'ritualised' or 'unusual' ways is part of the criteria for receiving a diagnosis of autism. However, the reasons for these movements and their personal value are not well understood. Certain ways of moving have become part/span …

In Llano County, a local librarian fought back against censorship, prompting a federal court fight and national recognition but losing the job of her dreams.

The former NIAID director has been both lauded and demonized for his work during the COVID pandemic, but his autobiography insists that his career needs to be seen whole to be understood.

We got milk when we domesticated goats and sheep around 9,000 BC. At first, that milk was easier to digest when fermented. So yogurt, along with other Neolithic foods, helped fuel civilization.

NEST (NEurodivergent peer Support Toolkit) is a suite of materials to facilitate peer support for neurodivergent young people in mainstream secondary schools. The toolkit has been co-created by researchers at the University of Edinburgh, neurodivergent young people and a neurodiverse group of adults who work with neurodivergent young people.

Apple is focusing on what it can do that no one else can on Apple devices, and not really even trying to compete against ChatGPT *et al.* for world-knowledge context. They’re focusing on unique differentiation, and eschewing commoditization.