Research, policy, and community stories about autism, ADHD, and neurotypes.
The latest headlines in neurodivergence research, policy, and community stories from around the world.
Research, policy, and community stories about autism, ADHD, and neurotypes.
Edward Kang, a 17-year-old high school senior, created RetinaMind - a tool that can diagnose autism and ADHD using retinal images. Currently there are no physical tests for these conditions, and Kang hopes his innovation will enable earlier diagnoses and improved quality of life.
Read more →Researchers at the Child Mind Institute found that autism and ADHD share underlying brain connectivity patterns and genetic activity, regardless of formal diagnosis. The findings support a dimensional approach - treating neurodevelopmental conditions along a spectrum rather than as separate categories.
Read more →New research presented at the APA Annual Meeting found 34.7% of adults hospitalized after traffic accidents screened positive for undiagnosed ADHD, with 66.6% falling into a high-risk driving category compared to 30.6% without ADHD symptoms.
Read more →A Yale-led study in Nature Neuroscience found that hundreds of different autism-linked genes converge on a shared set of biological pathways in the brain, triggering similar downstream effects as brain cells mature. The discovery opens the door to targeting convergent pathways rather than individual genes for treatment.
Read more →A growing movement is pushing medicine to stop trying to fix neurodivergent minds - and start building a world they can thrive in. Late diagnosis, even in middle age, is profoundly meaningful not because it changes the neurology, but because it changes the narrative - replacing years of self-blame with a framework that finally makes sense.
Read more →Researchers analyzed 113 clinical trials with over 25,000 participants to identify the optimal dosage range for five common ADHD medications. A free online tool was also developed to support shared decision-making between clinicians, patients, and families.
Read more →SickKids researchers used machine learning and intracranial recordings to discover a brain signal that predicts attention lapses. Targeted electrical stimulation at the precise moment restored focus in children with epilepsy, ADHD, and typically developing peers.
Read more →Organisations from across Scotland gathered in Edinburgh to explore greater collaboration across the neurodivergent community. The discussion focused on shared challenges, fragmentation in services, and opportunities for coordinated policy engagement to improve outcomes for individuals and families.
Read more →Irish charity ShoutOut launched NeuroQueer, a resource providing practical tools, myth-busting, and personal stories reflecting the queer neurodivergent experience. Research shows neurodivergent people are statistically more likely to be queer, and the resource aims to address the unique challenges at this intersection.
Read more →Health officials outlined plans to create an NHS diagnosis pathway for ADHD and autism in adults by 2027, with a fully integrated all-age neurodivergent pathway by 2029. The £2.8m proposal also includes earlier identification, reasonable adjustments, and better support for families and carers.
Read more →Around 30-50% of autistic people also have ADHD, yet the two conditions were only allowed to be diagnosed together since 2013. Known as AuDHD, this dual diagnosis often involves contradictory traits - autism craves routine while ADHD seeks novelty - and requires tailored support that addresses both.
Read more →A study of over 900 neurodivergent adults found most prefer identity-first language like "autistic person" over "person with autism." Terms like "disorder" were widely disliked for implying something broken. The researchers emphasise that respectful language starts with listening to community preferences.
Read more →New research published in JAMA found that in British Columbia, Canada, ADHD diagnoses among female adolescents and young adults have surpassed males for the first time on record. The study analysed health data from over 2.7 million patients spanning 2003 to 2023.
Read more →The Welsh Government extended its Neurodivergence Improvement Programme to March 2027 with an additional £13.7m investment. Priorities include eliminating three-year waiting times for children's neurodevelopmental assessments and developing an adult ADHD task force to improve services.
Read more →💗 Let's all be kind!
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