Latest news with #AutisticCommunity
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Autism Researchers Are Beginning To Define Subtypes
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been, for just over a decade, the convergence of a wide array of neurodivergences, but the process of trying to firmly define the signs and traits has gone on much longer. Sometimes autism is defined in levels, other times with terms like 'mild' and 'profound,' and sometimes in terms of high and low support needs, but so far, no set of guidelines has accurately captured the complexity of range and nuance of autistic experience. Redefining autism neurotypes in terms of subtypes could help overcome that quandary, although there's concern that it could further create 'boxes' that not everyone fits. The definition of ASD is currently fairly broad. Diagnosis can involve checking the box on enough traits out of the long list as defined in the current edition of the DSM, which means that two people may both meet the criteria for diagnosis, yet have little in common. In general, this involves at least some social struggles. However, that may range from one autistic person being completely nonverbal to another struggling with certain social cues or being extremely literal-minded. Some autistic people also learn heavy masking that can disguise these social struggles, though it can be extremely mentally and physically draining to do so. Autism also involves some behavioral traits, but this, too, can vary, from one person's repetitive behaviors to another's sensory issues. It can involve highly restrictive routines or strong fixations on a special interest, and all of this may manifest differently depending on age, coping skills, and environment, among other factors. This extreme diversity under one diagnostic term means that autistic people whose support needs are lower or whose traits are well-masked or otherwise less visible are often invalidated. One study has examined the genetic profiles, traits, and development of more than 5,000 children, and the researchers are proposing four subtypes that would be employed to differentiate between the wide range of ways individuals experience and exhibit autism. The four subtypes currently proposed would, according to Technology Networks, include Social and Behavioral Challenges; Mixed ASD with Developmental Delay; Moderate Challenges; and Broadly Affected. Ideally, this would promote broader understanding among educators, employers, healthcare providers, and others that autism can involve less visible support needs, and that not all autistic individuals have challenges that are readily apparent in academics or communication. It would also help families by helping to predict the types of struggles a child is most likely to face and hint at developmental arcs. This subtype, the most common found in the study, represented about 37% of participants, and encompasses people whose autism results in a struggle to pick up on unspoken social cues, and those who may engage in repetitive behaviors like fidgeting, hair-pulling, or skin-picking. These individuals may be later diagnosed because they may meet other developmental milestones within normal time frames. Some may begin reading early (hyperlexia), or they may start speaking at the latter end of the typical developmental time frame but immediately begin with complete sentences and unusual vocabulary. Others may seem to develop these skills in a typical way, and differences may not be noticeable until later. Researchers think that some of these individuals may have genetic factors for autism, but that the factors may be 'activated' later in life, rather than presenting at birth. These individuals may be more subject to social anxiety, depression, and other mental health struggles than their peers. They may overwork themselves with simply 'masking,' or hiding these autistic traits, consciously or subconsciously. For this reason, it could be very beneficial to identify the presence of these genes early to offer the necessary support. Almost one in five kids in the study presented with this subtype. These individuals may be delayed in speech or in motor skills, and also show struggles with social interactions, as well as repetitive or compulsive behaviors. Notably, researchers did not find that these individuals were more prone to anxiety or ADHD than their non-autistic peers. Early diagnosis of this subtype could result in more tailored support and a better understanding of what the individual's capabilities could be, which could support parents in helping their child achieve within their abilities. In examining genetic factors, researchers posited that this subtype seems to occur when the genes associated with autism are activated in utero, since it seems to show broad effects that may happen in early brain development. About 1 in 3 study participants fall into this category. These individuals may show autistic traits, including social and behavioral struggles, at lower rates than some of their peers. They are likely to reach developmental milestones on time and don't typically present with comorbidity of ADHD, anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns. Like those in the Social & Behavioral Challenges category, one key concern for this group may be that their symptoms and struggles can be easy to overlook (especially in families where a sibling has one of the subtypes that presents with developmental delays). Here again, diagnosis is very valuable because it helps parents, educators, and others provide the child with the support they may not have otherwise recognized was needed. While this may be the type of autism that people are most familiar with, it was the least common to appear in this study, affecting only about one in ten autistic kids. In terms of genetic factors, researchers found it to have the highest incidence of de novo presentation — that means that it is more likely than other types to occur without a family history of autism. They also found it to have the highest incidence of unique genetic variations. They posit that these genetic mutations occur early in development, causing the highest level of developmental alterations. These kids may present with more significant communication struggles, behavioral differences that significantly impact their lives, and significant developmental delays. They also have higher rates of comorbidity with anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders, as well as intellectual disabilities. Researchers merely propose these subtypes in one study. They have not, at this point, been added as official subtypes in the DSM, and your child's doctor or teacher may not, at this point, recognize them as distinct presentations. The researchers in this same study also say that these four are only a beginning, and that further study could divide autism into more subtypes. There are still reasons for hesitation about creating subtypes, including that this could be more exclusionary of individuals who don't perfectly fit one type or another but still need support. Any move forward should include providing support for all who need it, regardless of whether there's a specific label that fits an individual's presentation. Also, though the study included more than 5,000 participants, it should be noted that it was U.S.-based and child-focused, so it also may not cover a full range of presentations based on different cultures, and into adulthood. That said, the study does indicate the need for further investigation, and if the data is used to raise awareness for families and the general public, it could result in better understanding and support as needed for all autistic people.
The Sun
28-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Major charity shop chain shuts another four stores after closing 29 – see the full list
A MAJOR charity shop chain has shut another four stores after closing 29 following a consultation. Scope pulled down the shutters on branches in Rochdale, Nuneaton, Gillingham and Wednesbury yesterday (June 27). 1 The four stores, as well as three others which Scope has closed, have been taken on by fellow charity A World UK CIC. The three other shops transferring to A World UK CIC are in Dewsbury, Bridgwater and Scunthorpe. It is not clear when the seven stores will reopen under A World UK. Eight staff members from the stores will keep their jobs and move to working for the charity. Brad Thorpe, managing director of A World UK, which supports the Autistic community, said: "We are excited about this transition and the opportunity it brings to expand our reach. 'Welcoming these seven Scope stores and eight dedicated employees means more than just growth. "It's a chance to strengthen and support the autistic community in even more areas across the UK." The latest announcement from Scope comes after the charity retailer shut 29 of its branches across the UK following a consultation. This is on top of six sites which shut due to their leases ending. These are the 29 shops that closed in March, April and May: Amersham Barking Bangor Birkenhead Bishop Auckland Castleford Devizes Dewsbury Eastbourne Haywards Heath Lewisham New Milton Orpington Parkstone Scunthorpe Shirley (Southampton) Skipton Workington Newport Southampton Atherstone Welling Blyth Hove, George Street Burton Erdington West Hampstead, London Exmouth Bury Britain's retail apocalypse: why your favourite stores KEEP closing down Scope said last month a further 35 stores will shut as part of the consultation, bringing the total number of closures to 70. Meanwhile, another five are set to close later this year, as well as potentially two more, bringing the total number of closures to 77. The four stores that shut yesterday are included in this group of 77, meaning up to 38 more stores will close. Scope first launched a consultation to look at reducing its store estate in January. Like many other retailers, the charity has been struggling for footfall into high street stores. However, despite its challenges on the high street, Scope's online sales have boomed in recent years. It saw online sales increase by 75% in 2023/24, up £1.2million on the year before. HIGH STREET STRUGGLES UK high streets have been in decline for years due to the onset of online shopping. High inflation in recent years has chipped away at shoppers' wallets and purses too. The Centre for Retail Research said more than 13,000 high street stores shut in 2024, with more to come in 2025. The centre's analysis found that 13,479 stores, the equivalent of 37 each day, shut their doors for good over the calendar year. The charity sector specifically has been hit hard. The Charity Retail Association, which represents charity retailers, said in a recent blog post its members were reporting "the worst time for trading they have ever encountered". A survey by the association found 36% were considering reducing the number of paid staff on their books and 27% were planning to close shops. The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. Research by the British Chambers of Commerce showed that more than half of companies planned to raise prices by early April. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year. It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: "The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025." Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector. "By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer's household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020."
BBC News
27-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Police pilot new scheme for those living with neurodiversity
A police force has launched a pilot scheme in a bid to improve the way emergency services support those living with and Cornwall Police said the pilot, for Cornwall, would involve the use of green wristbands knows as "neurodiversity IDs" (NDIDs). NDIDs can be worn by individuals who are neurodivergent and provide information about the person when scanned so that responders can give them the correct help. The aim, Devon and Cornwall Police said, was to improve communication between police officers and other emergency services and the wearer. Police worked with The Autistic Community of Cornwall, the National Police Autism Association and the National Youth Neurodiversity Council to create the wristbands. The wristbands are designed to share details of a person's neurodivergence, how an individual communicates best, any medical needs and emergency contact details for next of kin."We know that emergency situations can sometimes be overwhelming," said PC John Holland."The wristbands are about putting the person at the centre of our response so we can make sure our communication and care is appropriate from the very first moment. "We know that we haven't always got it right in the past but these wristbands offer an opportunity for us to continue to progress and improve the service we provide to our neurodiverse community."Devon and Cornwall Police said it hoped the project would be rolled out across Devon and Cornwall if it proved to be successful.
