Have you ever watched a show just because everyone else is watching it? That’s kind of what August’s autism news was like, in that, while some items are of some significance, they mostly felt like tantalizing tidbits to discuss around the water cooler (rather than monumental shakeups that will impact any later month).

So, whether you’re on your way back to the office or quarantine has seen your well of discussion points dry up, here are some interesting anecdotes from around the autism community, all of which took place in August 2020. As always, links to the full stories can be accessed by clicking on the red titles and the bold headings.

The Top 5 Autism News Pieces for August 2020:

5. New Autism Shows Announced

August was a pretty big month when it came to the announcement of upcoming autism films/TV– which is good for me: as I was starting to run out of new portrayals to cover on the site, and great for the community: as it looks like we are going to be portrayed in some truly diverse genres.

Starting with ‘Come Play’ (which is set for release on the eerily familiar date of October 31st), Come Play is a film about Oliver: a young autist struggling to make a chum in high school until, one day, he downloads an app which introduces him to his first friend, Larry. So far so good right? Well, unfortunately for Oliver, Come Play is a horror film, Larry is a murderous creature from another dimension and so, if you want to feel the heebie-jeebies this Halloween, then whack Come Play on your ‘to-watch’ list.

Moving swiftly on to the next announcement though, August also brought us the interesting news that the team behind the black comedy Fleabag are back and currently looking to cast for a new show. With that said, not much is currently known about the show, other than that it will star ‘a woman in her 20s who has yet to be diagnosed with autism as she navigates the world’. However, it’s probably safe to assume that the show is likely to include moments where you’ll cringe, laugh and cry at and, maybe, just maybe, a new sexy priest for everyone in my life to gush over.

[August also featured an incredibly awesome announcement regarding the future of The A Word but, as I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone who isn’t quite up to date with the show, I will simply link the announcement here and let you see for yourself]

4. National Autistic Society Launch New Website

The National Autistic Society does a lot for our community. They usher in new support systems to help us in our daily lives and they encourage researchers to take these existing support systems to a whole new level. Nevertheless, there’s one unintentional effect the organization has previously had on our community and that is confusion, in particular, when getting lost in their labyrinth of a website.

Thankfully, this month the National Autistic Society revealed a new design for their website and, due to the new clearly defined menus, easily accessible buttons and the chef’s kiss that is a colour dimming feature, the new page is now just as good at guiding users to their answers as the charity is at finding them.

If you’ll allow me to put on my Front End Developer hat for a moment, it’s also incredible to see that the new site now adheres to most online accessibility measures – as laid out by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). This will hopefully serve as a starting gun for other websites to up their accessibility too – something which in this growing digital world is long overdue.

3. Does Cannabis Impact Chances of Autism?

One of the most prominent pieces of autism news to feature last month came our way as a response to a study by Nature Medicine. In the study, researchers outlined how smoking marijuana during pregnancy can increase the chances of having an autistic child – an interesting discovery if it wasn’t for the butt load of ‘but’s which came with it.

For example, according to many sites which reported on the news, this information supposedly comes our way as a result of a 500,000 person study, BUT, what often isn’t mentioned, is that the study wasn’t a controlled one – instead, it was an analysis of previously existing data (without considering any other factors). Furthermore, the study claimed that smoking marijuana whilst pregnant ‘significantly’ increased chances of having an autistic child, BUT, this ‘significant’ increase was only from 1.41% to 2.22%.

Of course, this isn’t me discrediting the findings at all, it’s just that more needs to be done before anything can be concluded. This is particularly important given that these findings could take away a relatively new solution for managing the more severe side effects of pregnancy – which would be hugely unfortunate given how few options already exist for expecting mothers; who are having what should be a time of excitement, ruined by nausea, insomnia and anxiety.

2. Elon Musk’s Autism ‘Solution’

Love him or hate him, Elon Musk is unquestionably a visionary who is always looking for an opportunity to launch our society into the far-flung future. In August, this became more evident than ever when Musk unveiled the recent progress he had made into Neurolink: a tiny device which links the brain with computers to support people with everything including Parkinson’s, paralysis, depression, OCD and, yes, autism.

Now, in the past, I have been dubious as to the real effect this device can have in our community (especially after Musk claimed it could ‘solve diseases like autism’). However, I have to admit, I liked what I heard last week; wherein it was shown how the discreet device (which is attached to the brain through 1024 electrodes), allows for better monitoring ‘like a Fitbit for the brain’ and can also help with motor function – something I imagine is achieved by linking the mind up to an Automated Communication Device.

As such, it seems that the device is looking to support more than ‘solve’ and, although there is still much more to be revealed, it seems like a nifty and much-needed advancement – so long as the newly successful tests on animals can be replicated in humans without putting anyone or anything in danger.

1. National Autism Indicators Report

Major disparities exist around the autism community. In fact, major disparities exist between the autism community and most other neurodiverse groups. This is something most of us are sadly aware of by now. However, after Drexel University published a report into the challenges this causes American autists, this month, it suddenly became clear that this awareness needs to move into action.

Yes, these are the unfortunate findings of how heritage and poverty impact autism upbringing in the West and, while some will already know how tough it can be, these figures will undoubtedly make most realise it is even tougher than we imagined i.e.

• About twice as many Black families as white families with autistic children report that they are unable to pay for groceries
• 24% of families with autistic toddlers experience trouble paying for their child’s healthcare.
• Just 62% of autistic children are in ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ health (compared with 72% of children with other special healthcare needs).

As you would expect, many of these points can be a bit tough to process in the original published report. So, for those who might not have the time to read the full post, I recommend looking at the more easily understood infographics which Spectrum news have created.

Once read, it’s important that this data does not go to waste, so try to share the information you have found with others who a part of your life. It’s an ugly truth that people in supposedly developed countries are still experiencing these unnecessary hardships. Raising understanding that this is ongoing is the first step to tackling them.

Carry on the Conversation

That’s all for my thoughts on August’s autism news. Now I would like to hear from you. Which of the upcoming autism shows/movies are you most looking forward to and would you strap 1024 electrodes to your brain to have a closer connection with the machine world? Let me know in the comments below. And if you would like to learn about more awesome technology supporting (not solving) autistic lives, then check out this article: 10 Technologies Transforming Autistic Lives.

As always, I can also be found on Twitter @AutismRevised, on Instagram @autisticandunapologetic 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 week for more thoughts from across the spectrum.