Whilst some months contain incredible autism news which will send giant ripples throughout our community, it’s not always the case that these headlines will make their way into the subconscious of those outside it. This, however, is not the case for October’s autism news.

Featuring personal triumphs, astonishing breakthroughs, and gigantic steps for those looking to usher in change for our community, here are the autism headlines from October 2018 (as always, links to the full stories can be accessed by clicking on the red titles and the bold headings).

Honourable Mentions

Canada puts $10m in to autism support

Of course, while October has certainly been a competitive month for headlines looking to make the top 5, that doesn’t mean you should limit your reading to only a few key announcements. So, for those who are looking to do a bit of outside reading, here are your honourable mentions:

The Top 5 Autism News for October 2018:

5. Manchester University ENCOURAGES Students to Clap Less

Has clapping been banned at Manchester

In a strange twist of events, this month I find my own article featured in the top 5 autism news pieces. In the article titled ‘Manchester Uni’s clapping ‘ban’ would have helped me as an autistic student’ (a headline which I didn’t choose by the way), I discuss how Manchester University’s decision: to encourage students to clap less for people with sensory issues, is something which should be encouraged – whilst, simultaneously, not being taken too literally (something which inevitably happened anyway).

Although I do believe I covered most of what I wanted to say about this decision, in the article linked, I feel it should be stated that in the weeks following its publication, the ugly responses, which initially came with the announcement, have not slowed down. This has ultimately led to the theorized improvement being all but canned by Manchester University – an outcome which I link to the overwhelming amount of people who didn’t read the policy and, instead, got so outraged at what the headlines hinted that, without further research, they fated this announcement to be D.O.A.

4. National Autistic Society Hosts Second Autism Hour

Shops turn down their lights for Autism Hour

Following the start of a hopefully long-lived tradition, this October marked the return of the National Autistic Society’s Autism Hour: a week-long event which invites stores all over the UK to set aside one hour in which stores dim their lights, reduce the volume of their music and take the time to learn about autism, in an effort to make the most inviting shopping experience for their autistic customers.

Amongst the many highlights of this year’s autism hour, key takeaways include that, over 10,000 shops took part and that, during the week-long event, daily chat show Loose Women hosted its first entirely autism-friendly recording; in which an autistic audience attended along with many well-known guests from around the UK autistic community including: TV personality Christine McGuinness and comedian Robert White.

3. Females with Autism are celebrated at Conference

The Women and Girl's Autism Conference was exceptional

It’s been said time and again that the autistic community can seem a bit like a boy’s club – with the theory of ‘extreme male brain’ and inaccurate male-to-female ratios likely being the cause. However, this October, the Women and Girls Autism Conference sought to change this by shining some much needed light on the often overlooked demographic, by giving a voice (or should I say a stage) to many of the incredible advocates from in and around our community – including many who I mentioned in my post on female autists.

While I did not attend the event myself, there were tons of incredible conversations surrounding it on social media, and this glimpse alone provided me with enough insight to understand just how important the conference was for females on the spectrum – giving them the opportunity to know they are not alone, as well as some valuable information for newly diagnosed/young autistic girls. Luckily, a glimpse isn’t all we were left with after the event, as the incredible Georgia Harper recently published an impeccably detailed report of the day: a must read, regardless of gender!

2. Autism Training could soon become Mandatory for NHS Staff

Autism Training might become mandatory

After a misunderstanding and a lack of proper training led to the death of her autistic son: Oliver, mother Paula McGowan began a restless petition calling for all doctors and nurses to receive mandatory autism training, in memory of her late son. Now, after months of dedication and over 50,000 signatures, Mrs McGowan seems one step closer to reaching this goal, after her and her son’s story was shared and discussed in Parliament, earlier last month.

To me, the mandatory training of hospital staff in all forms of disabilities seems like a given, which is why I find it unforgivable that a life has had to be lost before this kind of simple alteration can be made. However, if this is how it has to be then, hopefully, Oliver’s legacy will mean that these unfortunate circumstances will be the last to result in such an awful outcome.

1. Siena Castellon’s life

Siena Castellon meeting the royals

At this point, I really do have to ask myself if there would even be an autism news-round up without the fantastic Siena Castellon? This month, the teen-wonder has appeared everywhere including from the BBC Teen Awards to Kensington Palace. During which time she has carried with her the inspirational stories and incomparable experiences of what life has been like for a female autist, with dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD, in an education system which is FAR from perfect.

Siena has used each of these incredible opportunities to help raise awareness of her #AlwaysbeKind campaign: a movement started by the young advocate to reduce suffering at the hands of bullies. Siena hopes to achieve this admirable goal by encouraging ‘small, incremental acts of kindness and compassion’, that will ‘change the overall dynamic of a school community, so that everyone is welcomed, included and accepted for who they are.’.

In creating this campaign, and by taking part in her advocacy, Siena has selflessly tried to give others the best life possible. This is why it was incredible to see her receive so much well-earned attention over the last month; not only from Prince William, Kate Middleton, Harpers Bizarre and even Shawn Mendez, but also in the form of being invited to the new Fantastic Beasts and The Crimes of Grindelwald premier taking place next month (something which, after speaking to Siena, I can tell you she is VERY excited for).

Carry on the Conversation:

What was your highlight of October 2018? Let me know in the comments below. And if you want to hear more from Siena Castellon then make sure to check out her guest post on ‘The Harsh Reality of Autism Bullying and Autistic Hate Crime‘

As always, I can also be found on Twitter @AutismRevised and via my email: AutisticandUnapologetic@gmail.com.

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Thank you for reading and I will see you next Saturday for more thoughts from across the spectrum.