Autism

Sociologist Links Autism To Atheism

The Huffington Post UK | Jessica Elgot | Posted 30.04.2013 | UK

The head of an autism association in Turkey has apologised for suggesting that autistic people were natural atheists, and that atheism could be a form...

Raising an Autistic Child - My Family and Other Aliens

Kathy Lette | Posted 26.04.2013 | UK Lifestyle
Kathy Lette

Trying to protect a child with special needs from being bullied is like trying to stop ice melting in the desert. There were calls to the school, meetings, promises of closer scrutiny in the playground. But basically, when it comes to defeating bullying - particularly when your child is an obvious target ­ - a parent might as well be standing up to Voldermort with a butter knife.

Hunt Vows To 'Slay Myth Of MMR'

The Huffington Post UK/PA | Posted 23.04.2013 | UK

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said that the "myth" surrounding the MMR jab must be "slayed". Shamed doctor Andrew Wakefield was struck off the medic...

Taking a Healthy Look "Beyond the Genes"

Tony Lobl | Posted 23.04.2013 | UK Lifestyle
Tony Lobl

Over several decades I've found that identifying ourselves in terms of such spiritual qualities can be liberating. It can loosen the grip of the conviction life is primarily shaped by material factors and bring out a sense of health, rather than sickness, being the divine default.

Government At Fault For Measles Outbreak, MMR Jab Doctor Claims

Posted 13.04.2013 | UK

As the number of cases in a measles outbreak in south Wales continues to rise towards 700, the Department of Health (DoH) has denied that government p...

Living With Autism

Rori Donaghy | Posted 12.04.2013 | UK Lifestyle
Rori Donaghy

Dylan is now 14. My brother is non-verbal and suffers from severe learning difficulties. He requires 24-7 care, which my parents split between them. Recently, I have moved back home and been reminded of how difficult it is living with a child that is severely autistic.

How Shall I Love Thee, O Sheldon?

James Christie | Posted 05.04.2013 | UK
James Christie

I was thinking about roles in life for people with autism the other day, and my thoughts turned to The Big Bang Theory's Sheldon Lee Cooper. And I realized a simple thing. Sheldon is The Man!

World Autism Awareness Day: Is Autism on the Rise?

Hannah Gal | Posted 02.04.2013 | UK Lifestyle
Hannah Gal

The latest figures from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) point to one in 88 children in the U.S having an Autism spectrum disorder, marking a clear increase from 2006 when the rate was one in 110. Is this condition spreading or are we simply getting better at diagnosing it? 

Could Your Partner Be Autistic?

The Huffington Post UK | Sarah O'Meara | Posted 02.04.2013 | UK Lifestyle

When it comes to autism, awareness of the condition and its effects on a person's behaviour has risen dramatically in recent decades. However on Ap...

Its Raining Cats and Dogs - Finding the Humour in Autism

Hannah Gal | Posted 31.03.2013 | UK Lifestyle
Hannah Gal

People with Autism often get confused by metaphors. Literal interpretation means they simply don't pick up hidden meanings in idioms and every day expressions, so when we say "his ears are burning" they think of a man with his ears on fire.

Summer Lovin' - Camp America Part Two

Rebecca Root | Posted 27.03.2013 | UK Universities & Education
Rebecca Root

Do I have to say anymore to recommend taking part in a Camp America Programme? No matter what your age, background or experience, camp can be life changing and the best fun you'll ever have. It has you doing things you never imagined with people you never knew existed.

Let's Get This Travel Thing Started!

Rebecca Root | Posted 22.05.2013 | UK Universities & Education
Rebecca Root

So I applied to Camp America and got accepted to Round Lake Camp, Pennsylvania. I think possibly the best decision I ever made right there. It was an affordable way to go and see some of the world, I worked for two months and my visa gave me an extra few months to travel afterwards.

(Lette) Kathy Come Home

James Christie | Posted 24.05.2013 | UK Lifestyle
James Christie

Kathy Lette and many other commentators, websites and Facebook pages seem mainly to be concentrating upon autistic children and young people.

Just the Other Day, met Joss Whedon Along the Way...

James Christie | Posted 30.04.2013 | UK Entertainment
James Christie

Sometimes I ask myself whether there really is a fate or destiny to things, and it's hard to be sceptical when, three years later, I find myself (along with James Doherty of the National Autistic Society Scotland), not in Hollywood, but on a Scottish street late one Sunday night meeting Joss Whedon.

Stress During Pregnancy Could Be Linked To Autism In Babies

PA/The Huffington Post UK | Posted 05.03.2013 | UK Lifestyle

A pregnant mother's placenta can transmit damaging effects of stress to her unborn child, say researchers. The impact is felt by a protein that aff...

Where Are the Champions for Young People With Higher Level Needs?

Jonathan Stanley | Posted 09.04.2013 | UK Politics
Jonathan Stanley

Public money is needed in developing early intervention. It is predicated on saving money in the longer term. It needs to be made now.

Five Values, Six Goals and Seven Strategic Priorities Mean as Much as a Partridge in a Pear Tree!

James Christie | Posted 26.03.2013 | UK
James Christie

I went to a meeting about autism the other day, its aim basically to improve services for people with autism.

Artist Recreates London View From Memory - But Could You Do It?

Huffington Post UK | Felicity Morse | Posted 25.01.2013 | UK

Artist Stephen Wiltshire has recreated the view atop the Shard from memory after merely one trip up the 800ft high building. The pen and ink drawi...

Autistic Teenager Pool Damages Case 'Hinders Police'

PA | Posted 22.01.2013 | UK

The police are facing an "unrealistic and unworkable" situation in the wake of a decision to award £28,250 damages to a severely autistic epileptic t...

Early Childhood Near Traffic Elevates Chances of Later Autism - Do Our Brains Need Protecting From the Modern World?

Dr Raj Persaud | Posted 18.03.2013 | UK Lifestyle
Dr Raj Persaud

A team of researchers based at the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, report that mothers who live near higher road traffic pollution during their pregnancy, and for the first year of their baby's life, suffer elevated risk of later autism in those children.

Asperger's Syndrome To Be Reclassified

The Huffington Post UK | Posted 02.12.2012 | UK

Aspergers Syndrome is to be reclassified in the next edition of one of the world's most influential psychiatric reference manuals. The Diagnostic a...

The Black Man, the Asperger, the NHS and its Bigots...

James Christie | Posted 18.01.2013 | UK Lifestyle
James Christie

In case you think the atrocious treatment of learning-disabled patients at Winterbourne View care home was a one-off blip, or if you think that organi...

Drunk? Demonic? Deranged? Be a Writer!

James Christie | Posted 07.01.2013 | Home
James Christie

There is a fine line between creativity and obsession, between fantasy and delusion, but I seem to be able to walk the line and turn out the work without any ill effect.

After the Gary McKinnon Case - Why Computer Hackers Are Nearly Always Men - And Why Male And Female Brains Don't Understand Each Other

Dr Raj Persaud | Posted 19.12.2012 | UK Tech
Dr Raj Persaud

If men and women want to understand each other more, and get along better, they might need to better grasp key differences in their brains, and make neurological allowances.

Baby Website Claimed MMR Jabs Could Be Causing Autism

PA | Posted 08.08.2012 | UK

A website offering parents advice on childhood immunisation has been ordered to remove information about the MMR vaccine after renewing claims that it...