In a month which felt like it was largely written by an early 90’s rapper, October’s autism news was all about 3 things: women, drugs and money. This doesn’t mean that every item from the last few weeks carried as much weight as MC Hammer’s parachute pants though as, despite many misleading headlines, October was undoubtedly one of the biggest month’s our community’s experienced to date – no diggity, no doubt.

However, just like the music of the 90s, October has been and gone. So, for now, it’s time to take a look back on the month that was – to learn from the mistakes we may have made and build on the advances which took place. As always, links to the full stories can be accessed by clicking on the red titles and the bold headings.

Skyline shot of Chicago where the Society For Neuroscience met this October

Honourable Mentions:

Remember last month’s roundup where I was struggling to even find 3 pieces of autism news to talk about? Well, in October, that worry is a thing of the past. So, before we do get into today’s titillating top 5, here’s a quick shout out to those headlines which didn’t make the cut in this jam-packed month:

The Top 5 Autism News Pieces for October 2019:

5. ‘Unforgettable’ Releases

Poster for the new filipino film Unforgettable which features an incredible deption of autism
While more of a public service announcement than a headline, this month I wanted to start by recommending a new Filipino movie called ‘Unforgettable‘, which released on October 23rd and has received phenomenal reviews for its depiction of autism since.

Toted as the story of a young neurodiverse woman’s determined journey, Unforgettable is the quest of the autistic Jasmine, as she ventures to bring her newly aquired dog, Happy, to her ill grandmother, after remembering a story in which a pup made her relative feel better when she was younger.

Praised by the Autism Society Philippines for its ‘positive portrayal of a person on the spectrum — without the tired exaggerations and stereotypes.’ Unforgettable is set to be the autism film you don’t want to miss (unless, like me, you live in somewhere which isn’t the U.S., Canada, Singapore or the Philippines – in which case its limited release means you can only miss it. Boooooo!).

4. Girls have better Social Skills than Boys but men have more than Women

Autistic people talking together

In a journal entry, which garnered a fair amount of publicity this month, it was found that, when the social deficits of the different genders are compared, girls with ASD/ADHD will have a much easier time communicating than boys. However, in adolescence, females will comparatively slow down in their development, when compared to males.

In the compelling study which comes from the University of Toronto, researchers hypothesized that this difference amplifies the need for better monitoring of the difference in how autism impacts the different sexes. Despite this information being quite easy to replicate, its status as the first study of its kind, means that autistic gender differences are once again being overlooked.

Nevertheless, I have my own belief that this research could demonstrate the lack of support we give to females on the spectrum and, as such, the reason communication drops when a woman reaches adolescence is a nurture issue, not one of nature. But, as the researchers who created this paper are WAY smarter than I, it’s probably best to stick with the idea they present, and say that this is a genetic problem issue, rather than whatever spiel I just spoke.

3. The First Openly Autistic State Legislature?

Jessica Benham in white suit

For those who, like me, haven’t the foggiest what a state legislator is, it is someone who writes and passes laws on a local and national level, is usually elected by the state and often has no known affiliation with the neurodiverse community… until now.

Yes, this is the news that, as of October 2019, The U.S. may have its first openly autistic state legislator in Jessica Benham, a Pittsburgh-area graduate who is quick to point out that, while she is unquestionably the first to disclose her condition, she is likely not the first in her position to have it (due to many feeling the need to suppress it to find success).

If elected, the would-be new Pennsylvania legislator hopes to professionally pass policies ‘improving infrastructure and ensuring access to quality health care’, while personally demonstrating to ‘young people with developmental disabilities that they can be leaders’

2. Man grew Breasts after taking Autism Drug

A bowl of pills to treat antipsychotic in autistic people

This month it was announced that an autistic man who had been prescribed Johnson & Johnson’s antipsychotic medication: Risperdal (a form of Risperidone), won a court case against the pharmaceutical juggernaut. This came about after the drug in question caused the man to develop gynaecomastia; a condition which causes an imbalance in the hormones – leading to extra tissue surrounding the breasts.

In total, the man has been awarded $8billion in damages and, while that may seem a tad excessive (as is currently being appealed), it should be noted that this fine isn’t just for the condition which has developed, but for the false advertising, over marketing and all-around push from the company to encourage doctors to prescribe autistic patients this potentially dangerous medication.

The case now serves as a warning to many in the medical profession who choose to throw pills at any problem, rather than offering therapy and more practical solutions. Sadly, this reminds us of the news from not too long ago where an autistic boy lost his life on similar medication and, although many have seen this news headline as a good clickbait opportunity, it highlights the need for extreme caution and self-research before taking up any and every medication, targeting traits on the spectrum.

1. Trump signs $1.8b Autism Bill

A pile of dollars

But speaking of boobs in positions they shouldn’t be, this month’s top headline is the news that Donald Trump has signed a $1.8billion bill to extend the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support Act (or CARES act) – a figure which I couldn’t quite tell you how many 0’s it has, other than a hell of a lot!

In the outline of the $1.8 BILLION bill, the U.S. government states that it will work towards creating better ‘care’ options for the ageing autistic demograph i.e. autistic adults, as well as creating more opportunities for support in rural and underdeveloped areas.

Money isn’t everything though, as the bill also serves as a huge milestone for the man in the White House, which may hint at a progressive shift from Trump’s previous anti-vax affiliations, to one of a more informed approach to the condition, which 1 in 59 Americans have. Regardless of Trump’s stance on autism though, $1.8b is $1.8b, so let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth and chalk this up as the victory it is.

Carry on the Conversation

What would you do if you suddenly came into $8b? So, let me hear your ideas in the comments section below. And, if you would like to read more on autism characters with links to the canine world, then check out this article on the 6 Things The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Film HAS to get Right.

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.