So, here we are in 2019 and what a year it is shaping up to be. In November it will be 10 years since the Autism Act first came into force, while in May the World Health Organisation is set to debate the future of autism diagnosis. In March, Brexit threatens to disrupt hundreds of ongoing international autism research projects and what happens after that is really anyone’s guess.

However, while speculating on how the autism community will be in 12 months time is both fun and terrifying, today’s post is about sticking to the facts and highlighting those moments from the world of autism which you won’t want to miss. So without any further introduction, here are your autism headlines for January 2019 (as always, links to the full stories can be accessed by clicking on the red titles and the bold headings).

Honourable Mentions:

AWA appearing on The Greatest Dancer

Although I didn’t expect anything less, 2019 has started with a bang for the autism community, with announcements and accomplishments coming from every corner. So, before we get into the heart of January’s top 5 autism news stories, let’s quickly take a look at some of the other incredible headlines which fell just short of being highlighted today.

The Top 5 Autism News Pieces for January 2019:

5. Welsh Autism Bill Rejected

The Welsh Autism Bill did not go well

Starting off on somewhat of a sour note, last month, after much campaigning from the U.K. autism community, the Welsh government voted on a proposed Autism Bill to improve government services for autistic people. Compiled and promoted as part of the National Autistic Society’s ‘Your Act’ campaign, the proposed Bill was to help autistic lives by having the Government commit to:

  • Making routine evaluation of their autism strategy
  • Ensuring that better data is recorded by autism services
  • Providing autism training to professions such as teachers and doctors
  • Reducing diagnosis waiting times

However, In what has come as a huge disappointment (and a huge shock), the Bill was rejected in a vote 28 to 24. Nulling any promise these changes had of being realised.

While it’s impossible to say for certain what caused the 28 MPs to vote this way (*cough* Brexit *cough*), it is likely to be due to the real cost of the Bill’s implementation being weakly argued (with no definitive costing being given), as well as some expressing concerns that there may be other ways to make the changes under different circumstances – something which, in light of this recent news, we can only hope comes sooner rather than later.

4. Hollyoaks Receives First Autism-Centric Storyline

Hollyoaks is ramping up its autism representation

In entertainment news (news which I am almost certainly not the best person to discuss), last month the British soap opera; Hollyoaks, began a new plot which sees autistic Brooke Hathaway (portrayed by autistic actor: Talia Grant) become the victim of bullying – with her abuser labelling Brooke as ‘cursed’.

While I am yet to watch much of this show’s depiction of autism, the word on the grapevine is that, since her introduction, Grant’s character has been nothing short of fantastic: depicting the challenges that come with autism in a down to earth manner. This new plot demonstrates that this supposed strength was no fluke, as Hollyoaks further displays its support of the autism community by educating its 1 million viewers on the all too real consequences, that come as a result of bullying within the autism community.

3. New Evidence Supports link between Autism and Gender Variance in Children

Autism Varience in Autistic Children

For a long time now, the close correlation between those who show traits of autism and those who display characteristics of gender variance (exhibiting behaviours which don’t align with gender norms) have been monitored and questioned by researchers. However, in January we took one step closer to further understanding this link.

In a study, which consisted of around 2,500 children, it was found that, of the 80 with autism, the rates of not identifying with there gender were much higher than previously assumed. While the figures presented were far from concrete (as the short questionnaire was predominantly answered by parents and not the children themselves) it did provide insights by disproving the idea that gender variance is something only seen during adolescence.

This news has been highlighted today, not because of it’s scale or impact of the findings, but because it hints at a new commitment to further understanding the relationship between being autistic and gender variance – something to look forward to as it means those who may once have felt alone on the spectrum, and insecure in their skin, could one day soon be better understood and, as such, have better access to support.

2. Autistic Suicide Rates Climb

Autism rates in Autistic Females Climb

In a worrying study, published by The International Society for Autism, Research this month, figures collected over a 20 year period depict that autism suicide rates have risen recently; indicating that autistic people are now 8 times more likely to take their lives than non-autistic people.

Furthermore, this research also demonstrated fears surround autistic females, as suicide rates amongst this demographic were cited as being more than 15 times more likely than non-autistic females. While this still leaves autistic female suicides less common than males (at a ratio of 1:3) it is the alarming rate of this rise which needs to be studied and counteracted.

Suspected reasons for the changing figures are suggested to be a greater desire amongst autistic people to ‘camouflage’ – something which is more frequent in female autists. Another suggestion was that low employment rates in autistic people, linking to a loss of purpose, could be partly responsible. All of which could be hopefully tackled as a result of this alarming news.

1. NHS Announces its 10 Year Plan

NHS Plan for the next decade looks pretty good

Finally, on the 7th of last month, the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) published details outlining there plan for the next 10 years. It was a tense moment which many have had differing opinions on, but from what I have read of the full report (here), I believe the plans signify that very good thing lie ahead for the autism community in the upcoming ‘roaring (20)20s’

Highlights of the new plans included: a commitment to reduce diagnosis waiting times (although they did not outline by how much) as well pledges to improve mental health care for autistic people of all ages – including a promise to tackle the previously mentioned high suicide figures.

While facts such as how 20% – 30% of all people with a learning disability also have autism genuinely shocked me, the biggest and most welcome surprise was one toward the end of the document, where the NHS made promises to offer more and better internships within the organisation for autists looking for employment.

All in all this news was one big win for the autism community and, although it has been mentioned that the plans lack any kind of commitment to improving how autism is recorded (similar to what was mentioned in The Welsh Autism Act), I for one believe that these reports will happen one day, as the NHS continue in their endeavour to:

‘ensure that all people with a learning disability, autism, or both can live happier, healthier, longer lives’

Carry on the Conversation

While I am certainly not the best person to discuss suicidal thoughts with, I know lots of great resources which are much better equipped. If you or someone you know is at risk of becoming part of the shocking statistics presented today, then please contact any of the organisations mentioned in my previous article: Why We Shouldn’t be Afraid to Ask for Help: Autism Support.

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

If you like what you have seen on the site today, then show your support by liking the Autistic & Unapologetic Facebook page. Also, don’t forget to sign up to the Autistic & Unapologetic newsletter (found on the sidebar on laptops and underneath if you are reading this via mobile) where I share weekly updates as well as a fascinating fact I have found throughout the week.

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