Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD and Dyspraxia
In its new report ‘Time to deliver: The Autism Act 2009 and the new autism strategy’, the Lords Autism Act 2009 Committee calls on the government to launch a new autism strategy in July 2026 and identify priority outcomes, produce a costed, deliverable plan to achieve them, and make clear who is responsible and accountable for delivery.
Find out more and read the report https://ukparliament.shorthandstories…
A new report has been published by the Autism Act 2009 Committee, which makes clear that governments have failed to break down barriers for autistic people, who face a constant fight for support and unacceptable inequalities.
To end 16 years of broken promises, the Government must act on the report’s recommendations and deliver a new autism strategy in 2026. Now is the time to take action to create a more inclusive society that truly works for autistic people and their families.
Read the report👉 bit.ly/4rfdjgG
This is the key conclusion reached by the House of Lords special inquiry committee on the Autism Act 2009 in its report ‘Time to deliver: The Autism Act 2009 and the new autism strategy’.
The Autism Act says the Government must produce an autism strategy, backed up by statutory guidance for the NHS and local authorities. The House of Lords asked the Committee to look at how well the Autism Act has been working, how it could work better in the future, and what the current autism strategy has achieved.
Hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) are connective tissue disorders characterised by pain, joint instability, dislocations, and fatigue. Autism is a complex developmental condition characterized by differences in social interaction, speech and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors.
Epidemiological studies demonstrate an association between autism and hypermobility: autistic people are significantly more likely to be hypermobile compared with non-autistic non-autistic people (31-39% vs 0.6-5%), and hypermobile people are more likely to be autistic (Baeza-Velasco et al., 2025; Simpson et al., 2005). Both autism and hypermobility are complex, lifelong, polygenic, heterogeneous conditions, and their diversity makes it difficult to generalise about their relationship. Both autistic and hypermobile people are likely to have issues relating to sensory processing and autonomic dysregulation, as well as experiencing poorer health outcomes and health inequalities. Some shared pathways have been suggested, relating to connective tissue and neurological development (Casanova et al., 2020).
OBJECTIVE
To assess the quality, biases, and validity of evidence on maternal paracetamol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (referred to as autism) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in offspring.
DESIGN
Umbrella review of systematic reviews.
DATA SOURCES
Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, along with grey literature, Epistemonikos, and the reference lists of included studies (inception to 30 September 2025).
INCLUSION CRITERIA
Systematic reviews of randomised trials and cohort, case-control, or cross sectional studies that reported maternal paracetamol use during pregnancy and the diagnosis of autism or ADHD in offspring. Details of the primary studies included in the reviews are reported, including adjustments for key confounders (maternal characteristics, indication for paracetamol use, and familial factors) and unmeasured confounders and ascertainment of outcomes.
You can now apply to join our 2026-2028 Young Ambassador Programme! We are looking for:
Does this sound like you or someone you know?
More about the programme:
Whether you’ve been involved in campaigning before or you’re totally new to it, the Young Ambassador Programme will support you to learn all about running successful campaigns.
We’ll help you to develop your skills in lots of different areas, including campaign strategies, sharing your story, making the most of social media and how to work with Government and MPs.
This is a flexible and voluntary programme with both in-person and online events and opportunities. To get the most from it, we recommend having 2-3 hours a month to spend on Young Ambassador activities.
Our application form has been designed to be completed in a way that suits you best, whether that’s independently or with help from someone else and through written answers to our prompts or by sharing a video, poem or piece of art.
Here’s what Max, a former Young Ambassador said about the programme:
“Thanks so much for running the Young Ambassador program, your guidance and support made all the difference – I had an absolute blast! Really appreciate the opportunity and everything you did to make it special.”
All the best
Ella
Campaigns Manager
Join Sarah Hendrickx, author of Women and Girls on the Autism Spectrum, to talk about her new book: Could I Really Be Autistic? Sarah’s work has been monumental for many women (and their loved ones) who were diagnosed on a scale originally catered to men. Beloved by booksellers, Women and Girls on the Autism Spectrum is a bestseller here at Topping and Company in Bath.
Perhaps a child in your family has been diagnosed as autistic, your therapist has suggested it, or people you know have called you ‘Rain Man’ throughout your life. Whatever the reason, here you are, either seeking to confirm or dispel the idea that you might be autistic.
Written by two experts in autism assessment, this is a pathway for you to explore the likelihood of meeting the diagnostic threshold for autism, while offering advice on possible next steps.
Filling the gap between self-identification and formal diagnosis, this rigorous, accessible guide to diagnosis will give you confidence in taking the next steps on your autism journey.
Speaker:
Dr Linda Buchan
And the topic will be on:
“Revisiting after the diagnosis”
The meeting will be recorded as usual for those who cannot attend in person.
More dangerous anti-science from the US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy, now linking autism with circumcision. This is not based on any form of rigorous, robust research and could put lives at risk.
This incessant focus on pseudo-scientific causes of autism means autistic people are forced to listen to the suggestion that they need to be cured, as though it’s not ok to be autistic and someone should be ‘blamed’. This is wrong and dangerous.
These myths are a distraction from the real, urgent issues autistic people face. In England, waiting lists for autism diagnosis are growing, with average waits of over 17 months. The special educational needs system in schools is crumbling because of insufficient funding and only three in 10 autistic people are in work, one of the lowest of any disability.
You may remember last year, Hillary Newhall designed an autism friendly garden which was created for the RHS Flower Show in Tatton Park, and won Bronze.The show garden, titled “The Secret Garden: For Us, By Us,” was transferred to our premises after the show.Thank you to our General Manager’s (Evie’s) father in law, Alex Crawford, who has made this wonderful plaque for us (see images below).
As part of Dyspraxia Awareness Week 2025 (6th–12th October), we’re delighted to host a special online session with Jill Mellor on:
✨ How best to advocate for your child
🗓 Date: Monday, 6th October
⏰ Time: 7:00–8:00pm
💻 Where: Online via Zoom
💙 Cost: Free (registration required via link below)
With over 18 years’ experience in politics and her lived experience as a parent, Jill brings both expertise and empathy to this important discussion. The webinar will explore practical ways to advocate effectively and will include time for open conversation.
This is HUGE! In the past two days alone, an enormous 20,000 of you have said Truth. It Matters, in response to yet another unscientific, scare-mongering claim about autism.
Please keep speaking up for the truth. Sign the open letter if you haven’t already and share with your friends, family and social networks if you have!
We might not have the megaphone Trump has, but together we can make a lot of noise.
Autistic people should be supported and respected. Focusing on cures and causes, and spreading misinformation just causes stigma and takes us away from talking about the real change we want to see. A society that works for autistic people.
Together we are a force that must be listened to. This is why we will ALWAYS speak out against dangerous misinformation.
“What is breaking my heart is the stigma this is causing. My son is autistic and since his diagnosis I have found out I am too. It’s not something to be worried about. Is his childhood different to what I expected? Yes! Is autism a challenge in our lives? It can be! But I wouldn’t change him or me if we had the choice because autism is WHO WE ARE!!” – Shona
It has to be said again, paracetamol does NOT cause autism. Vaccines do NOT cause autism.
Autistic people and parents are feeling judged, dehumanised and misunderstood. It’s enraging. But the powerful response from autistic people, their families, friends and allies has been so heartening in a heavy week, and we are being noticed.
Here are my thoughts on the impact these conversations have when you are autistic yourself.
Together we can change the narrative.
All the best
Ella
Campaigns Manager
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The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that there is currently no conclusive scientific evidence confirming a possible link between autism and use of acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) during pregnancy.
Globally, nearly 62 million people (1 in 127) have autism spectrum disorder, a diverse group of conditions related to development of the brain. Although awareness and diagnosis have improved in recent years, the exact causes of autism have not been established, and it is understood there are multiple factors that can be involved.
Extensive research has been undertaken over the past decade, including large-scale studies, looking into links between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism. At this time, no consistent association has been established.
WHO recommends that all women continue to follow advice of their doctors or health workers, who can help assess individual circumstances and recommend necessary medicines. Any medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy, especially in the first three months, and in line with advice from health professionals.
Also, a robust, extensive evidence base exists showing childhood vaccines do not cause autism. Large, high-quality studies from many countries have all reached the same conclusion. Original studies suggesting a link were flawed and have been discredited. Since 1999, independent experts advising WHO have repeatedly confirmed that vaccines—including those with thiomersal or aluminum—do not cause autism or other developmental disorders.
Childhood vaccine schedules are developed through a careful, extensive and evidence-based process involving global experts and country input. The childhood immunization schedule, carefully guided by WHO, has been adopted by all countries, and has saved at least 154 million lives over the past 50 years. The schedule remains essential for the health and wellbeing of every child and every community. These schedules have continually evolved with science and now safeguard children, adolescents and adults against 30 infectious diseases.
Every vaccine recommendation by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), an independent advisory group to WHO, is grounded in rigorous review of evidence and carefully designed to offer the best protection against serious diseases and to be delivered when most needed.
When immunization schedules are delayed or disrupted, or altered without evidence review, there is a sharp increase in the risk of infection not only for the child, but also for the wider community. Infants too young to be vaccinated and people with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions are at greatest risk.
Autism and neurodevelopmental disorders are among priority mental health and neurological conditions being discussed at the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and mental health this Thursday, 25 September. As a global community, we need to do more to understand the causes of autism and how best to care for and support the needs of autistic people and their families.
WHO is committed to advancing this goal working together with partners including autistic-led organizations and other organizations representing persons with lived experience. WHO also stands with people who are living with autism and their families, a dignified community entitled to evidence-based considerations free of stigma.
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We have had enough. We are sick and tired of hearing baseless claims instead of focusing on what really matters for autistic people and we know you are too. Trump’s most recent claims about the causes of autism are dangerous, anti-science, and irresponsible.
The truth matters and autistic people deserve better. Will you sign our open letter and be part of a better conversation about autism?
These careless claims do nothing but make life harder for autistic people and their families who already have to fight every day for appropriate school places, healthcare, mental health and employment support, and timely diagnosis.
“Standing with my autistic son this morning waiting for his school bus, I feel I’m being judged by everyone. My mind is totally over-exaggerating everything. I feel to blame. This is how many of us mums will feel…” – Thea
We won’t let fake news about autism distract us from creating a society that works for autistic people. But we need your help. Sign the open letter and join our #TruthItMatters campaign to bring the focus back to the real issues autistic people face.
Together we can change the narrative.
All the best
Ella
Campaigns Manager
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I look forward to welcoming you all to Elliot Chapmans inaugural presentation.
This will be based on scientific evidence not myths conjecture or ….,
As well as exploding myths about the causes of Autism we shall ensure everyone goes away feeling safe and as Dean Beadle would say feeling Autistic joyFinallyIn the words of our adopted Axia member Dr Luke BeardonAutism + Environment =OutcomeOur PDSG will provide an environment for you where you will achieve the most positive of outcomes
Read The Children’s Plan: The Children’s Commissioner’s School Census in full. Read the Summary version.
For the first time as Children’s Commissioner, I have used my statutory powers to ask all schools, and colleges, a set of questions. A census in response to what children told me they wanted and needed to attend, engage, attain, and excel. I want to thank every school and college leader who took the time to respond and helped provide this unique national picture of children’s experience of education. Without them it would not have been possible to get, for the first time, such comprehensive proof of how much schools and colleges are doing to support every child, how much they are trying to know and care for their children despite the challenges.
When I became a teacher more than 30 years ago, and later, a headteacher, I saw firsthand the transformative power of great teaching. I was part of the first wave of education reform 20 years ago that brought energy, urgency and a belief that every child could achieve their potential with the right support and ambition. It was exciting.
Those reforms worked. Schools got better, standards rose, and outcomes improved – but not for every child. In that, we failed.
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We shall be including the report mentioned which is due in September at our PDSG which is now on 1/10
Please come and join us
With the disability employment gap persistently at nearly 30%, the Government has announced it will spend an additional £2.2 billion on employment support over the next four years.
The Committee will explore the reasons behind the disability employment gap, scrutinise Government programmes to support disabled people into work and make recommendations for future support.
The committee wants to hear your views. We welcome submissions from anyone with answers to the questions in the call for evidence. You can submit evidence until Monday 29 September 2025.
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