I’m not saying that April was a slow month for autism news but, if you were to line this month up against all the others, then I doubt it would even get an award for best effort. Yes, April is probably the slowest month for autism news in recent memory, however, amongst the expected tidbits, there were 1 or 2 (or should I say 3) items which stood head and shoulders above the rest.

As such, in this month’s autism news roundup, instead of the usual 5 pieces, there will only be 3 highlights I will be discussing in depth (as well as the ever-present honourable mentions list) As always, links to the full stories can be accessed by clicking on the red titles and the bold headings.

Honourable Mentions:

The Second Pilot of Spectrum Live

While April may not have been the most dramatic month, it certainly didn’t fall short when it came to making sure that autism never left the headlines. So, while I may not have anything new to share about these articles, these are the moments you should be aware of nonetheless.

The Top 3 Autism News Pieces for April 2019:

3. New Research Suggests Millions of Chinese may be Undiagnosed

Autism rates are about to change in China

It’s not unfair to say that, in China, autism a big no, no. This is because, in certain parts of the world’s most populated country, the condition is still so misunderstood it is believed that just talking about it openly can be enough to ‘contract it’. As such, autism understanding is exceptionally low in the East with many going undiagnosed, unsupported and largely ignored… until now.

In a nationwide screening, which consisted of 3 different cities and 7,258 children aged 6-10, researchers found that, roughly, 1 in every 100 Chinese children is autistic (a figure on par with that of the U.K.’s autism rates).

Although these figures are still being checked, this presents a humungous increase from the previously registered 10.3 in 10,000 and could hopefully work to reduce the long term stigma of the condition, while giving identities and the option for support to a possible [pause for effect] 12,270,960 undiagnosed autists!!*

*The number of current existing autists minus the theoretical number of new autists as of this finding

2. Encouraging new Research states Autism may begin in the Gut

Bacteria that could change autism treatments

In April, the world of autism academia was set alight when findings from a 2-year study were produced by Arizona University stating that fecal transplants can cut autism symptoms by nearly 50%. What symptoms in particular? Well, the details are a bit hazy.

In the study, which consisted of 18 autistic children, participants were given multiple treatments to change the bacteria inside their gut. This subsequently resulted in much better stomachs for those who suffer from digestive problems. However, it also was said to impact on social, communicational and behavioural symptoms too.

While the changes were said to be that ‘great’ that just under 50% of participants went from ‘severe’ to below ‘mild’ I find it odd that, to my knowledge, nowhere has reported what these changes were in particular and what other outside factors could have influenced the relatively small self-aware test group – something which has prompted questions of a possible placebo effect.

Nevertheless, it seems that, while new articles have gone out of their way to herald this discovery as the new ‘autism cure’, the scientists behind it still have their feet firmly on the ground and have openly discussed how they will continue to look at the results, not as a method for treating autism, but as a way to understand the body’s role in the development of the condition, which is still largely a mystery.

UPDATE: In June 2019, The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) announced that they would suspend their research into Faecal Transplants, following the death of a patient who had previously been involved in the procedure.

1. World Autism Awareness Day/Week/Month

World Autism Awareness Day logo

Although this was not a month for dramatic revelations, April has once again defended its title as the top month for the autism community. Featuring powerful moments from the humble bake sale fundraiser through to international politicians, in April, there wasn’t a walk of autism life that wasn’t celebrated and I for one couldn’t be prouder.

While my personal favourite moments included the United Nations’ promise to make life-changing technology more available for autistic people in less developed countries, it would be hard not to say that being invited to discuss autism understanding in the U.K. Parliament wasn’t my top pick for the weeks gone by.

All in all, World Autism Awareness Month has once again been a resounding success and, although there were no monumental shakeups by last week, I’m almost certain that the seeds of progression which were planted in April are soon going to sprout into something earth-shatteringly Amazing.

Carry on the Conversation:

What was your favourite moment from World Autism Awareness Month? Let me know in the comments below. And, if you want to hear more about how autism figures are changing, then make sure to check out my discussion on just that, as featured in last year’s roundup of The BIGGEST and BEST Moments from the Autism Community in 2018.

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.