All articles tagged with #autism spectrum
A BBC InDepth feature on the debate over what autism really is, highlighting a surge in diagnoses and questions about misdiagnosis—especially among women and people with learning disabilities—while Dame Uta Frith argues the spectrum is too broad and may fail those needing support, and others push for nuanced subtypes and sharper criteria to protect services and reflect lived experience.
Grammy-winning singer SZA says she has been formally diagnosed with autism, sharing what appears to be medical paperwork on a burner Instagram account and noting that the diagnosis aligns with her pattern-recognition abilities. She also discusses her stance on AI, recounts recent tensions with an AI-music platform Suno, and reveals that Steve Lacy helped revive her creative spark as she prepares new music.
The family of Caleb Vazquez, a suspect in the Islamic Center of San Diego shooting, released a statement expressing heartbreak and condemning the attack, saying Vazquez was on the autism spectrum and that exposure to hateful rhetoric and extremist online content contributed to his radicalization. They stress their beliefs do not align with his actions, acknowledge prior police contact and Vazquez’s neo-Nazi online presence, honor the victims and survivors, and urge others to seek help to prevent violence while emphasizing a commitment to acceptance and diversity.
Thomas (Tom) Charles Perley, a bright and independent man with Asperger’s Syndrome, passed away at 58 due to complications from a spinal cord injury sustained in a car accident. He was known for his intelligence, love of travel, music, and humor, and he cherished his independence and community involvement. His life was celebrated in a memorial service in Portland, Maine, and donations in his memory support Camp Nuhop and rehabilitation services.
Families of individuals with severe autism are concerned that the expanding autism diagnosis spectrum has marginalized those with more severe conditions, highlighting the need to consider whether the spectrum should be divided to better address their specific needs.
Former Playboy Playmate Holly Madison has revealed that she is on the autism spectrum. Madison, who had long suspected she was "not neurotypical," received a formal diagnosis earlier this year. She spoke about her experiences living with the developmental disorder, including difficulties with social cues and recognizing social norms. Madison hopes that sharing her diagnosis publicly will help people understand her better and improve their interactions with her. Despite the challenges, she has learned to navigate social situations and has become more aware of her behavior, such as interrupting others.
Former Playboy model Holly Madison revealed on a podcast that she has been diagnosed with high executive functioning autism. Madison had suspected it for a while due to her difficulty with recognizing social cues and frequently zoning out as a child. She explained that she often made excuses for her behavior, attributing it to being introverted or adjusting to social changes. Madison's diagnosis has helped her understand her social differences and work on improving her interactions with others. She emphasized the importance of patience and understanding when interacting with neurodivergent individuals.
Alicia Navarro, an Arizona teenager who went missing just days before her 15th birthday nearly four years ago, has been found safe after walking into a police station in Montana. Now 18 years old, Navarro identified herself to authorities and confirmed that she had not been harmed and was not being held against her will. Her disappearance in 2019 sparked a massive search, and her mother had raised concerns that she may have been lured away by someone she met online. The investigation into her disappearance is ongoing.
The Sacramento Ballet will host a special sensory-friendly performance of "Tanabata: The Story of Orihime and Hikoboshi" on Saturday, designed to be enjoyed by people of all abilities and comfort levels, including those who may be neurodivergent or on the autism spectrum. The performance will feature dim lights, lowered sound volumes, narration, and an ASL interpreter. Tickets are still available for $5 and can be purchased online. The show will also be livestreamed and a film of the performance will be released on July 7.
Sia has revealed that she is on the autism spectrum while awarding a "Survivor" contestant $100,000 during a podcast. The singer-songwriter faced backlash following the 2021 release of her film "Music," which led her to delete her Twitter account and add a disclaimer to the beginning of the movie. Advocates of the autistic community voiced complaints about the movie, including its depiction of so-called calming restraints and the casting of Maddie Ziegler as the lead, instead of an autistic actor.