Latest news with #Rinehart
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How ‘no tax on tips' could help, hurt Ohio workers
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – On the campaign trail, then-candidate Donald Trump touted his plan to end taxes on tips; now, millions of workers across the country are reaping the benefits of Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' as 'no tax on tips' takes effect. Under this temporary tax exemption, tipped workers can now deduct up to $25,000 of tipped income from their taxes. From that point on, tips will be federally taxed. 40-plus cars broken into outside Columbus hotel Cate Rinehart has worked at Stav's Diner since it opened nine years ago. She believes this will benefit her in the long run, as tips are her primary source of income. 'Another $12,000, or whatever it is a year, in my pocket will make a big difference,' Rinehart said. 'I'm a single person. I do everything by myself. I don't have a partner or anything, so it's all on me, so it's going to make a big difference in my life.' Rinehart has been in the service industry for 30 years. 'I basically don't get a paycheck,' Rinehart said. 'We make less than minimum wage, so all of my actual wages go to paying taxes, so I'm only working for tips. That's the only way I can pay my bills.' Halee Wray is a bartender at Boston's Pizza Restaurant & Sports Bar. She also relies heavily on tips. Driver who stopped on I-71 before exit charged in three-car wreck 'We got paid yesterday and I have about $300 deductions that have been taken out that my hourly did not cover because of the taxes that I'm paying on my tips,' Wray said. 'But my hourly is not enough to cover that amount, so I already know from the last two weeks, I need to put away $300 because at the end of the year, that's going to come back up on my taxes that I will owe.' Wray said she sees the benefits of no tax on tips. 'I claimed a bunch of money for the last two weeks because I got that on my tax tips,' Wray said. 'But my hourly is $5.25. So that, you know, even if you're working 50 hours, it's not paying enough to make up for the tips.' Wray said she's concerned this move has caused a lot of confusion. 'To hear the words and the lingo 'no tax on tips' does not mean we're not paying our taxes, and I know there's a lot of miscommunication about that,' Wray said. 'People have been writing on their receipts, like, 'Oh you don't have to pay taxes on this.' I'm like, 'I do, though, and only up to $25,000, and if you think that I'm only making $25,000, you're wrong.'' How a typo could mean Ohio's state tree isn't the buckeye Under the bill, both cash and credit card tips are included. Workers can deduct up to $25,000 in tips if they make less than $150,000 a year. 'I've always claimed all my tips, cash and credit card, because you can't buy a house or cars without that,' Rinehart said. 'So, it's going to make a big difference for me.' The tax break applies only to federal income taxes. Payroll taxes, which pay for Social Security and Medicare, would still be collected, along with state and local taxes. This applies for all tipped workers, from servers, to hairdressers, nail technicians, and Uber drivers. 'I think it's going to help, especially a lot of the younger people, in the long run, too, being able to put a little bit more money back to be able to buy homes and things like that,' Rinehart said. 'That's a big chunk of change going out all the time, and when you're not really making a salary or anything, people don't realize how much it does affect us.' It also allows workers to write off overtime pay up to $12,500 per year. Just like tipped workers, the amount they can deduct reduces if they make more than $150,000 per year. Westerville's Antonio's Pizzeria to close after 'irreconcilable differences' with landlord 'A lot of us, as service industry employees, at the end of the year, comes and we owe thousands of dollars back on our taxes because it's just, our hourly is so low that it's not covering our taxes,' Wray said. 'So we're making decent money here, but at the end of the year, we're saving to pay our taxes.' Wray said she has already scheduled an appointment with a tax expert because she anticipates more hurdles when filing for taxes next year than in years past. The provision is in effect from now through 2028. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Sydney Morning Herald
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Gina Rinehart's right-hand woman Teena McQueen out the door at Hancock
Just last year, colourful Liberal Party identity Teena McQueen was at Mar-a-Lago celebrating Donald Trump's electoral triumph alongside her boss, Australia's richest person Gina Rinehart and Nigel 'Mr Brexit' Farage, the betting markets' pick for next British prime minister. McQueen, a regular talking head on Sky News' after-dark programming, joined the Hancock Prospecting payroll in 2022 as a group principal policy adviser to the executive team, and has, since acted as a kind of Robin to Rinehart's Batman, travelling with the boss to Florida last year and hanging out at Trump's estate for the long victory celebrations. But no more. CBD hears McQueen is out of her role at the Hancock Prospecting family. Rinehart's normally helpful team issued a swift 'no comment' in response to our queries. But McQueen told us she would be taking some time off for family issues. 'She's still a very good friend and wonderful person,' she said of her billionaire pal. Loading McQueen, a former federal Liberal vice-president, was at the time of her hiring by Rinehart subject to a gag order by the party following a train wreck appearance on Q&A. MCQueen has managed to outlive the ABC program which was euthanised a few months ago, and has recently made a name for herself through some fairly full-blooded interventions in WhatsApp groups. When broadcaster Alan Jones was charged with indecent assault offences last year (which he denies and is contesting), McQueen sprung to action, telling a Liberal group chat the whole thing was 'absolute bullshit'. More recently, she told another group chat a petition calling for gender quotas in the Liberal Party was 'disgraceful'. Although as this column reported, someone calling themselves 'Teena McQueen' – in jest – did sign that very same petition.
The Irish Sun
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
How the way you WALK could reveal a hidden autism diagnosis – the 3 signs to look for in your child
AUTISM is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people socialise, communicate and interact with the world. Autistic people may find socialising confusing or tiring, become overwhelmed in loud or crowded places and crave order and routine. 2 Toe-walking, walking on tip toes or the balls of the feet, can be a characteristic of autism if it continues past early childhood Credit: Getty 2 Walking with feet turned in can be another one - though autism isn't the only cause of this Credit: Getty But the condition - which is not an illness or disease that needs to be 'cured' - can also affect how some people move or walk, researchers say. In fact, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) - a guide book widely used for diagnosing mental health conditions - lists an "odd gait" as supporting feature of autism. Nicole Rinehart, a Professor of clinical psychology and director of the neurodevelopment program at Monash University outlined three "noticeable gait differences" autistic people might have in These may include: Read more on autism Toe-walking, walking on the balls of the feet In-toeing, walking with one or both feet turned inwards Out-toeing, walking with one or both feet turned out Walking on the toes or the balls of the feet is fairly common in children who are just beginning to walk, until the age of three. Most will outgrow it the habit. If toe-walking doesn't correct itself over time, or begins suddenly, the NHS recommends children be assessed by a health professional for growth-growth related pain, neurodevelopmental disorders or autism. Most read in Health "Children with autism spectrum disorder or sensory integration issues will frequently toe walk as it feels more comfortable for them," the In and out-toeing are also fairly common and can simply be caused by the rotation of the thigh and shin bones, aside from autism. Simple 10-question test that can help determine if you have autism They don't usually need treatment and will go away on their own by the time a child is eight. The NHS advises parents to speak a GP about their children's gait if they're worried about it. Autism can cause other, more subtle changes to the way people walk, according to Prof Rinehart. She pointed to Walk more slowly Take wider steps Spend longer in the 'stance' phase, when the foot leaves the ground Take more time to complete each step "Autistic people show much more personal variability in the length and speed of their strides, as well as their walking speed," Prof Rinehart wrote. "Gait differences also tend to occur alongside other motor differences, such as issues with balance, coordination, postural stability and handwriting." She explained that gait differences in autistic people might be caused by "differences in brain development". What is autism? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an incurable, lifelong developmental condition that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others. It affects around one in 100 people in the UK and is three to four times more common in boys than in girls. Many people with ASD find it hard to understand other people's feelings and emotions, and they may have difficulty holding conversations. When they are young, their language development may take longer and they can struggle to use facial expressions, using gestures to communicate instead. They may also find it hard to connect with other people and to hold eye contact with unfamiliar individuals. Many children with ASD like to follow a routine, and changes to this can cause distress. High functioning autism is an informal term some people use to describe those on the autism spectrum disorder. Areas such as the basal ganglia - which is responsible for making walking effortless, smooth and automatic - and the cerebellum, which controls and coordinates movement, may develop differently in people with autism, the expert said. "While some researchers have suggested that autistic gait occurs due to delayed development, we now know gait differences persist across the lifespan. "Some differences actually become clearer with age." Some people with gait differences may also have more difficulties with language and cognition. In some cases, these signs can indicate that an autistic person is experiencing "sensory or cognitive overload" and might need some "extra support or a break" in that moment, the expert said. Do gait differences need to be treated? Differences in the way autistic people walk don't necessarily need to be treated, Prof Rinehart said. "Some autistic people might have subtle gait differences that are observable during testing," she wrote. "But if these differences don't impact a person's ability to participate in everyday life, they don't require support." But some may be at increased risk of falls, have difficulty participating in sports or other physical activities, or may get pain in their legs or back from the way they walk. In these cases, children may benefit from some additional support, whether that be from a clinic, at school, or in their local communities. "Our "Community-based support models empower autistic children to have agency in how they move, rather than seeing different ways of moving as a problem to be fixed." The key characteristics of autism - and why they go unnoticed By Alice Fuller , Health Features Editor MODEL Christine McGuinness was a 'recluse' for eight years and only left the house at 3am. Springwatch presenter And recently, But what exactly is autism and why does it seem so different in everyone? Leanne Cooper-Brown, neurodevelopmental lead at 'Whereas we used to think of autism as a linear line, we have come to realise that terms such as 'high' and 'low' functioning or definitions of 'mild', 'moderate' or 'severe' aren't helpful and can be misleading. 'Nowadays, we think of autism in terms of the strengths and needs of the individual, which can change over time depending on their environment and support network.' About 700,000 people in the UK are thought to have autism - that's one in 100. But research by University College London suggests that number could be twice as high, as many people remain undiagnosed. Cases are on the rise though. Figures released last year showed a 175 per cent increase from 2011 to 2022. Dr Selina Warlow, clinical psychologist and owner of 'Receiving a diagnosis can open access to expert resources that support autistic people to thrive in society.' Autism has long been associated with social difficulties, like problems maintaining conversations and forming relationships. But research published in the journal Cell Press suggested that repetitive behaviours - like rocking or finger-flicking - and special interests - whether it's TV shows or specific animals - are more indicative of an autism diagnosis. Generally though, experts say the Sensitivity - autistic people can be much more or less sensitive to sights, sounds, textures, tastes and smells. For example, they find bright lights or crowded spaces overwhelming, Leanne says. They may also stand too close to others or need to move their whole body to look at something. Stimming - to manage this sensory overload, some people use repetitive movements or sounds. 'This is called stimming, and includes rocking, tapping and hand-flapping,' Dr Warlow says. 'Though it's something everyone does to some extent, those with autism are likely to engage with it as a form of self-regulation.' Masking - this is a strategy used by some autistic people, consciously or not, to match neurotypical people, Dr Warlow says. 'It's a way of hiding your true characteristics, and could involve copying facial expressions, planning conversations in advance, or holding in 'stimming' - swapping hand clapping with playing with a pen, for example,' she adds. Burnout - this is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion and is a common feature in autism. 'Being extremely tired, both mentally and physically, can be associated with the act of masking for a long period of time, or sensory or social overload,' Dr Warlow says. 'Symptoms of autistic burnout include social withdrawal, reduced performance and increased sensitivity.' Social struggles - socialising can be confusing or tiring for autistic people. They often find it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling, making it challenging to make friends. Leanne says: 'In adults, autism may present as difficulties with interpreting social cues such as understanding body language or sarcasm, struggling to express emotions or preferring to be alone. This can impact relationships and work.' Routine - many of us have a fairly regular daily schedule. But for autistic people, this becomes a 'very strong preference for routine', Leanne says. This could be needing a daily timetable to know what is going to happen and when, or having rigid preferences about foods or clothing. Literal thinking - some autistic people have a literal view of language - like believing it's actually 'raining cats and dogs' or that someone really wants you to 'break a leg'. Dr Warlow says: 'This can result in confusion with figures of speech, irony or indirect requests. 'For instance, being told to 'pull your socks up' might be understood literally, not as a motivational phrase.' Hyperfocus - often associated with ADHD, hyperfocusing is also common in autistic people. 'It's where you're able to focus intensely on an activity and become absorbed to the point of forgetting about time,' Dr Warlow says. 'This is useful in work or hobbies but can result in neglect of other aspects of life, such as food or rest.' Special interests - we all have hobbies and interests, but for autistic people, these are so compelling they often want to spend all their time learning about, thinking about or doing them. 'Special interests could include anything from dinosaurs to superheroes, and gardening to music,' Dr Warlow says. 'These usually begin in childhood, but can also form as an adult. 'Chris Packham is an example of an autistic person who turned his childhood special interest in animals into a successful career, becoming one of the UK's best-loved natural world TV presenters.
Scottish Sun
16-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
How the way you WALK could reveal a hidden autism diagnosis – the 3 signs to look for in your child
Gait differences may be a supporting characteristic of autism - read on for the core traits of the condition and why they often go unnoticed IN STEP How the way you WALK could reveal a hidden autism diagnosis – the 3 signs to look for in your child Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AUTISM is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people socialise, communicate and interact with the world. Autistic people may find socialising confusing or tiring, become overwhelmed in loud or crowded places and crave order and routine. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Toe-walking, walking on tip toes or the balls of the feet, can be a characteristic of autism if it continues past early childhood Credit: Getty 2 Walking with feet turned in can be another one - though autism isn't the only cause of this Credit: Getty But the condition - which is not an illness or disease that needs to be 'cured' - can also affect how some people move or walk, researchers say. In fact, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) - a guide book widely used for diagnosing mental health conditions - lists an "odd gait" as supporting feature of autism. Nicole Rinehart, a Professor of clinical psychology and director of the neurodevelopment program at Monash University outlined three "noticeable gait differences" autistic people might have in The Conversation. These may include: Toe-walking, walking on the balls of the feet In-toeing, walking with one or both feet turned inwards Out-toeing, walking with one or both feet turned out Walking on the toes or the balls of the feet is fairly common in children who are just beginning to walk, until the age of three. Most will outgrow it the habit. If toe-walking doesn't correct itself over time, or begins suddenly, the NHS recommends children be assessed by a health professional for growth-growth related pain, neurodevelopmental disorders or autism. "Children with autism spectrum disorder or sensory integration issues will frequently toe walk as it feels more comfortable for them," the East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust explains. In and out-toeing are also fairly common and can simply be caused by the rotation of the thigh and shin bones, aside from autism. Simple 10-question test that can help determine if you have autism They don't usually need treatment and will go away on their own by the time a child is eight. The NHS advises parents to speak a GP about their children's gait if they're worried about it. Autism can cause other, more subtle changes to the way people walk, according to Prof Rinehart. She pointed to 30-year study of autistic people, which found that some with the condition may: Walk more slowly Take wider steps Spend longer in the 'stance' phase, when the foot leaves the ground Take more time to complete each step "Autistic people show much more personal variability in the length and speed of their strides, as well as their walking speed," Prof Rinehart wrote. "Gait differences also tend to occur alongside other motor differences, such as issues with balance, coordination, postural stability and handwriting." She explained that gait differences in autistic people might be caused by "differences in brain development". What is autism? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an incurable, lifelong developmental condition that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others. It affects around one in 100 people in the UK and is three to four times more common in boys than in girls. Many people with ASD find it hard to understand other people's feelings and emotions, and they may have difficulty holding conversations. When they are young, their language development may take longer and they can struggle to use facial expressions, using gestures to communicate instead. They may also find it hard to connect with other people and to hold eye contact with unfamiliar individuals. Many children with ASD like to follow a routine, and changes to this can cause distress. High functioning autism is an informal term some people use to describe those on the autism spectrum disorder. Areas such as the basal ganglia - which is responsible for making walking effortless, smooth and automatic - and the cerebellum, which controls and coordinates movement, may develop differently in people with autism, the expert said. "While some researchers have suggested that autistic gait occurs due to delayed development, we now know gait differences persist across the lifespan. "Some differences actually become clearer with age." Some people with gait differences may also have more difficulties with language and cognition. In some cases, these signs can indicate that an autistic person is experiencing "sensory or cognitive overload" and might need some "extra support or a break" in that moment, the expert said. Do gait differences need to be treated? Differences in the way autistic people walk don't necessarily need to be treated, Prof Rinehart said. "Some autistic people might have subtle gait differences that are observable during testing," she wrote. "But if these differences don't impact a person's ability to participate in everyday life, they don't require support." But some may be at increased risk of falls, have difficulty participating in sports or other physical activities, or may get pain in their legs or back from the way they walk. In these cases, children may benefit from some additional support, whether that be from a clinic, at school, or in their local communities. "Our community-based intervention studies show autistic children's movement abilities can improve after engaging in community-based interventions, such as sports or dance," Prof Rinehart said. "Community-based support models empower autistic children to have agency in how they move, rather than seeing different ways of moving as a problem to be fixed."
The Sun
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
How the way you WALK could reveal a hidden autism diagnosis – the 3 signs to look for in your child
AUTISM is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people socialise, communicate and interact with the world. Autistic people may find socialising confusing or tiring, become overwhelmed in loud or crowded places and crave order and routine. 2 2 But the condition - which is not an illness or disease that needs to be 'cured' - can also affect how some people move or walk, researchers say. In fact, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) - a guide book widely used for diagnosing mental health conditions - lists an "odd gait" as supporting feature of autism. Nicole Rinehart, a Professor of clinical psychology and director of the neurodevelopment program at Monash University outlined three "noticeable gait differences" autistic people might have in The Conversation. These may include: Walking on the toes or the balls of the feet is fairly common in children who are just beginning to walk, until the age of three. Most will outgrow it the habit. If toe-walking doesn't correct itself over time, or begins suddenly, the NHS recommends children be assessed by a health professional for growth-growth related pain, neurodevelopmental disorders or autism. "Children with autism spectrum disorder or sensory integration issues will frequently toe walk as it feels more comfortable for them," the East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust explains. In and out-toeing are also fairly common and can simply be caused by the rotation of the thigh and shin bones, aside from autism. Simple 10-question test that can help determine if you have autism They don't usually need treatment and will go away on their own by the time a child is eight. The NHS advises parents to speak a GP about their children's gait if they're worried about it. Autism can cause other, more subtle changes to the way people walk, according to Prof Rinehart. She pointed to 30-year study of autistic people, which found that some with the condition may: Walk more slowly Take wider steps Spend longer in the 'stance' phase, when the foot leaves the ground Take more time to complete each step "Autistic people show much more personal variability in the length and speed of their strides, as well as their walking speed," Prof Rinehart wrote. "Gait differences also tend to occur alongside other motor differences, such as issues with balance, coordination, postural stability and handwriting." She explained that gait differences in autistic people might be caused by "differences in brain development". What is autism? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an incurable, lifelong developmental condition that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others. It affects around one in 100 people in the UK and is three to four times more common in boys than in girls. Many people with ASD find it hard to understand other people's feelings and emotions, and they may have difficulty holding conversations. When they are young, their language development may take longer and they can struggle to use facial expressions, using gestures to communicate instead. They may also find it hard to connect with other people and to hold eye contact with unfamiliar individuals. Many children with ASD like to follow a routine, and changes to this can cause distress. High functioning autism is an informal term some people use to describe those on the autism spectrum disorder. Areas such as the basal ganglia - which is responsible for making walking effortless, smooth and automatic - and the cerebellum, which controls and coordinates movement, may develop differently in people with autism, the expert said. "While some researchers have suggested that autistic gait occurs due to delayed development, we now know gait differences persist across the lifespan. "Some differences actually become clearer with age." Some people with gait differences may also have more difficulties with language and cognition. In some cases, these signs can indicate that an autistic person is experiencing "sensory or cognitive overload" and might need some "extra support or a break" in that moment, the expert said. Do gait differences need to be treated? Differences in the way autistic people walk don't necessarily need to be treated, Prof Rinehart said. "Some autistic people might have subtle gait differences that are observable during testing," she wrote. "But if these differences don't impact a person's ability to participate in everyday life, they don't require support." But some may be at increased risk of falls, have difficulty participating in sports or other physical activities, or may get pain in their legs or back from the way they walk. In these cases, children may benefit from some additional support, whether that be from a clinic, at school, or in their local communities. "Our community-based intervention studies show autistic children's movement abilities can improve after engaging in community-based interventions, such as sports or dance," Prof Rinehart said. "Community-based support models empower autistic children to have agency in how they move, rather than seeing different ways of moving as a problem to be fixed." The key characteristics of autism - and why they go unnoticed By Alice Fuller, Health Features Editor MODEL Christine McGuinness was a 'recluse' for eight years and only left the house at 3am. Springwatch presenter Chris Packham says it makes him a 'task-centric workaholic who sees problems in everything he does'. And recently, Bella Ramsey revealed they were diagnosed after struggling to wear thermals on the set of The Last of Us. But what exactly is autism and why does it seem so different in everyone? Leanne Cooper-Brown, neurodevelopmental lead at Clinical Partners, tells Sun Health: 'Autism is considered a spectrum, so not all people share the same traits. 'Whereas we used to think of autism as a linear line, we have come to realise that terms such as 'high' and 'low' functioning or definitions of 'mild', 'moderate' or 'severe' aren't helpful and can be misleading. 'Nowadays, we think of autism in terms of the strengths and needs of the individual, which can change over time depending on their environment and support network.' About 700,000 people in the UK are thought to have autism - that's one in 100. But research by University College London suggests that number could be twice as high, as many people remain undiagnosed. Cases are on the rise though. Figures released last year showed a 175 per cent increase from 2011 to 2022. Dr Selina Warlow, clinical psychologist and owner of The Nook Neurodevelopmental Clinic, says: 'Conversation around neurodiversity is becoming normalised, and that's so positive to see. But more awareness is needed. 'Receiving a diagnosis can open access to expert resources that support autistic people to thrive in society.' Autism has long been associated with social difficulties, like problems maintaining conversations and forming relationships. But research published in the journal Cell Press suggested that repetitive behaviours - like rocking or finger-flicking - and special interests - whether it's TV shows or specific animals - are more indicative of an autism diagnosis. Generally though, experts say the core characteristics include… Sensitivity - autistic people can be much more or less sensitive to sights, sounds, textures, tastes and smells. For example, they find bright lights or crowded spaces overwhelming, Leanne says. They may also stand too close to others or need to move their whole body to look at something. Stimming - to manage this sensory overload, some people use repetitive movements or sounds. 'This is called stimming, and includes rocking, tapping and hand-flapping,' Dr Warlow says. 'Though it's something everyone does to some extent, those with autism are likely to engage with it as a form of self-regulation.' Masking - this is a strategy used by some autistic people, consciously or not, to match neurotypical people, Dr Warlow says. 'It's a way of hiding your true characteristics, and could involve copying facial expressions, planning conversations in advance, or holding in 'stimming' - swapping hand clapping with playing with a pen, for example,' she adds. Burnout - this is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion and is a common feature in autism. 'Being extremely tired, both mentally and physically, can be associated with the act of masking for a long period of time, or sensory or social overload,' Dr Warlow says. 'Symptoms of autistic burnout include social withdrawal, reduced performance and increased sensitivity.' Social struggles - socialising can be confusing or tiring for autistic people. They often find it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling, making it challenging to make friends. Leanne says: 'In adults, autism may present as difficulties with interpreting social cues such as understanding body language or sarcasm, struggling to express emotions or preferring to be alone. This can impact relationships and work.' Routine - many of us have a fairly regular daily schedule. But for autistic people, this becomes a 'very strong preference for routine', Leanne says. This could be needing a daily timetable to know what is going to happen and when, or having rigid preferences about foods or clothing. Literal thinking - some autistic people have a literal view of language - like believing it's actually 'raining cats and dogs' or that someone really wants you to 'break a leg'. Dr Warlow says: 'This can result in confusion with figures of speech, irony or indirect requests. 'For instance, being told to 'pull your socks up' might be understood literally, not as a motivational phrase.' Hyperfocus - often associated with ADHD, hyperfocusing is also common in autistic people. 'It's where you're able to focus intensely on an activity and become absorbed to the point of forgetting about time,' Dr Warlow says. 'This is useful in work or hobbies but can result in neglect of other aspects of life, such as food or rest.' Special interests - we all have hobbies and interests, but for autistic people, these are so compelling they often want to spend all their time learning about, thinking about or doing them. 'Special interests could include anything from dinosaurs to superheroes, and gardening to music,' Dr Warlow says. 'These usually begin in childhood, but can also form as an adult. 'Chris Packham is an example of an autistic person who turned his childhood special interest in animals into a successful career, becoming one of the UK's best-loved natural world TV presenters.
