Seven in ten UK employers have not provided adequate training on disability discrimination or neurodiversity, according to a VinciWorks poll. Over half of employers have not trained managers on disability discrimination, and more than half have given no neurodiversity training to staff. The lack of training increases the risk of discrimination claims, with untrained managers often making decisions that could lead to legal issues.
Gaia Learning, founded by Kate Heath to support neurodivergent children, has grown rapidly into a leading edtech company offering specialized online education solutions. The business recently secured £400k in new funding to develop its SEND infrastructure platform, 'Bloom,' aiming to bring tailored support directly into schools. With significant revenue growth and ambitious expansion plans, Gaia Learning continues to address gaps in mainstream education for neurodivergent students.
Diagnosing ADHD in preschoolers requires careful consideration of the child's impairment and the specific context of their behavior. Dr. Julia S. Feldman emphasizes that symptoms must be evaluated in relation to the child's developmental stage and environment. She highlights the importance of avoiding overdiagnosis by taking into account factors such as language delays, family stress, and other contextual influences.
Families in Apollo Beach will have access to inclusive tennis clinics for children and teens with autism, organized by ACEing Autism in partnership with the Experienced Autism Alliance. The six-week program, starting in October, offers age-specific sessions at the Apollo Beach Racquet Club, with options for scholarships and volunteer opportunities. ACEing Autism, which has expanded nationwide since its founding in 2008, uses tennis to foster connection, confidence, and community among participants.
Disability advocacy groups in South Africa accuse political parties of systematically excluding disabled people from leadership roles, candidate selection, and election campaigns, contributing to ongoing marginalization and a lack of meaningful political representation. The groups demand urgent engagement with political parties to ensure inclusive election manifestos and enforceable commitments for the rights and development of disabled people. Despite constitutional guarantees of equality, disabled individuals continue to face significant barriers in education, healthcare, employment, and access to basic services, highlighting a national crisis and a failure of political systems to protect and empower them.
The Netflix documentary series "Love on the Spectrum," which follows adults with autism navigating dating and relationships, won the Emmy for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program and additional awards for casting and picture editing. The show, now in its fourth season, has received multiple Emmy Awards and has been renewed for a fifth season. The series highlights individuals with autism from across the U.S. and is a spinoff of an Australian version.
CBDV, a cannabinoid found in cannabis, has shown potential in early research for reducing repetitive behaviors and improving social interaction in individuals with autism. Most studies are preclinical, involving animal models, and more human trials are needed to confirm these effects. Current findings suggest CBDV may offer a new therapeutic avenue for autism, but further research is essential.
The Eastside Rooms has expanded its support for neuroinclusive events by integrating guidance, trained staff, pre-arrival information, and on-site facilities into a cohesive offering. The venue, which achieved Gold Neuroinclusive Venue Accreditation in 2025, continues to enhance neuroinclusion across all stages of event planning and execution. Initiatives include a permanent Wellness Room and additional neuroinclusivity training for staff to better support neurodiverse attendees.
Mission Viejo is hosting a free pool party on September 19 for neurodivergent children and their families at the Montanoso Recreation and Fitness Center. The event, part of the city's ABLE initiative, aims to provide a safe and inclusive environment for families with neurodivergent children. Registration and more information are available through the city's website and email.
Healthcare environments often present barriers for neurodiverse patients due to sensory overload, communication challenges, and lack of individualized care, leading to difficulties in accessing and participating in healthcare. Neurodivergent individuals experience a wide range of needs, emphasizing the importance of autism-informed and neurodiversity-affirming care to improve healthcare access and outcomes. Nurses must adopt individualized approaches, use respectful language, and prioritize accessibility to support neurodiverse patients effectively.
Disability rights advocate Philip Muge urges national and county governments in Kenya to effectively implement the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025, emphasizing that legislation alone is insufficient without proper enforcement. He highlights the need for stronger implementation of the five per cent employment quota for persons with disabilities and improved access to assistive devices, education, and healthcare services. Muge calls for inclusive planning, adequate funding, and stronger oversight to ensure that disability laws translate into tangible improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities.
Kenyan parents are modifying their homes and communities to create autism-friendly environments that support their children's sensory needs and social development. These adaptations include using soft lighting, minimizing noise, and providing structured play areas. The initiative reflects a growing awareness and commitment to improving the quality of life for children with autism in Kenya.
A lawsuit has been filed against the Clark County School District, alleging that a teacher sexually abused a boy with autism and an aide did not immediately report the suspected abuse. The family claims the district failed to protect the student and respond appropriately to the allegations.
A partnership between Step N’ Stones Autism Academy and The LAB Sports Academy is providing neurodivergent students with opportunities to develop physical and life skills through specialized sports activities. The collaboration creates a supportive environment for students to build confidence, motor skills, and social connections. Both organizations emphasize their shared commitment to student growth and well-being through this initiative.
A 'calm space' has been trialled at Ealing Broadway Tube station to provide a low-stimulation environment for neurodivergent and anxious commuters, featuring sound-insulating padding, calming colours, and accessibility features. However, a neurodivergent individual with ADHD expresses skepticism about its effectiveness, citing ongoing sensory challenges in public transport environments. The trial will run until October 2, with plans for a similar space in Covent Garden later this year.
Michelle Velazquez, a certified nutritionist and health coach, is highlighted for her advocacy of neurodiversity-informed support for families. She emphasizes the importance of tailored approaches to meet the unique needs of neurodiverse individuals and their families. Her work is recognized by influential women who support her mission to promote inclusive and effective care strategies.
Workshop dates for the Neurodiversity in Entrepreneurship event have been announced. The initiative aims to support neurodiverse individuals in starting and growing their businesses. It highlights the unique strengths that neurodiverse entrepreneurs bring to the entrepreneurial landscape.
Two new studies address the challenge of identifying functionally relevant autism-linked genes by using predictive modeling and clustering techniques to analyze gene-association data. The first approach creates an atlas of organoid models to explore gene perturbations' effects on developmental pathways, while the second links autism genes to those involved in other conditions like schizophrenia and epilepsy. These methods aim to better prioritize candidate genes for further research.
A nonprofit organization is working to make local libraries more accessible and welcoming for neurodivergent individuals. The program includes sensory-friendly initiatives and training for library staff to better support neurodivergent visitors. The effort aims to create an inclusive environment where neurodivergent individuals can comfortably enjoy library resources and services.
A 20-year-old man with autism, ADHD, and Tourette's, Cameron Jacobs, credits joining the accessible orchestra Orchestras for All with helping him find a sense of belonging and develop confidence. The orchestra has been instrumental in his personal growth, including achieving a world record for the fastest barefoot London Marathon, and has inspired him to pursue a career in community music. Orchestras for All aims to provide inclusive opportunities for children and teenagers to learn classical music, fostering a supportive and accepting environment.
People with ADHD and anxiety may have their benefits reduced if they accept job support programs, according to the article. This policy creates a difficult trade-off between maintaining financial support and accessing necessary employment assistance. The approach has sparked concerns about its impact on mental health and employment outcomes for individuals with these conditions.
Ruth Danoff's debut memoir, Holy ADHD, reached #1 on Amazon's Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity category and #3 in Anxiety shortly after its release, highlighting her journey with a late ADHD diagnosis and themes of self-compassion. The book, which intertwines her personal story with her advocacy work, has resonated widely, reinforcing the message that women with late-diagnosed ADHD are not broken but simply wired differently. Danoff's platform, notRUTHless, and her brand, Arctic Undies, further extend her mission of supporting women through midlife and late-diagnosed ADHD.
A study found no significant link between typical prenatal exposure to organophosphate pesticides and autism-related traits in children, but this does not contradict existing research that associates such exposure with ADHD and autism, as the study used a single-point exposure analysis rather than longitudinal data. The study authors emphasize that their findings do not imply safety of these pesticides, nor do they rule out risks at higher exposure levels or among more vulnerable populations. Existing scientific evidence continues to support a connection between pesticide exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD and autism.
Women with ADHD often mask their symptoms due to societal expectations and fear of being labeled as emotional or unstable, leading to internal struggles despite appearing successful on the outside. Kalene Oliver, founder of The Limitless Woman Hub, shares her experience of being diagnosed with ADHD at 36 and how masking her symptoms affected her life, especially during her childhood and schooling. Her book, "She’s a Hot Mess," aims to help other women embrace their differences and find strength in their struggles.
Neurodivergent design principles can enhance workplace accessibility and comfort for all employees by addressing sensory, cognitive, and wayfinding needs often overlooked in traditional office layouts. Key strategies include intuitive wayfinding, flexible workspace options, and thoughtful environmental design that supports diverse working styles and preferences. Embracing universal design creates inclusive, adaptable spaces that benefit everyone, not just neurodivergent individuals.
The Wits Disability Rights Unit, established in 1986, has grown from supporting nine students to aiding over 1,126 students in 2025, marking 40 years of promoting accessibility and inclusion. The unit emphasizes that accessibility is a right and inclusion is a justice, aiming to embed these principles into the university's culture. Celebrations highlighted the unit's history and future goals of proactively designing an accessible and inclusive environment.
