Fridays bring the weekend, and a new edition of The Autism Digest, curated by the Human Health team just for you.

This edition highlights some great stories, including new data reporting that cannabis use in pregnancy may affect Autism risk, fundraising to bring accessible and personalized care to families affected by Autism, and the publication of a new childrens’s book sharing the story of a family’s experience with the condition.

We’ve also featured the upcoming premiere of a new kids TV show that hopes to impart awareness and understanding about Autism through quirky tales about a raccoon and his ragtag bunch of friends 💜

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Latest Research and News

Recent publications

🧠 Health condition prevalence among Autistic adults: An analysis of data from privately-insured Autistic adults in the US found that more than 10% had a co-occurring intellectual disability, compared to only 0.5% of those without Autism. 55% and 34% of Autistic adults had anxiety disorders and ADHD respectively, compared to just 17.5% and 7% of those without Autism.
Link to article.

🍃 Cannabis use in pregnancy may increase ASD risk: A review of existing research found that maternal cannabis use during pregnancy was associated with a significantly increased risk of developing Autism spectrum disorder, as well as ADHD. This analysis highlights the importance of future research investigating exactly how cannabis use is related to the development of these conditions. Link to article.

💊 Blood pressure medication may reduce anxiety for Autistic people: This study evaluated if a drug called propranolol, usually used to treat high blood pressure, could improve social communication skills in Autistic people. When tested over 12 weeks, anxiety scores were significantly improved, however no significant effect on social interaction or language was found.
Link to article.

New in News

💰 Forta Health raises $55M to help families: Forta is focused on delivering telehealth services, as well as online behavioral therapy training for parents, to improve the availability and access to appropriate healthcare for Autistic kids. Using AI models, they aim to provide personalized healthcare plans to fit the strengths and needs of each individual. Link to article.

🎓 Medical schools leave future doctors unprepared: Student doctor Reeda Iqbal calls on medical schools to fill the knowledge gap surrounding just, appropriate and holistic care for Autistic people, informed by both her experiences as a student and as a sibling to an Autistic sister. Link to article.

✅ New certified Autism center: Bettendorf Public Library in Iowa has become the newest of many accredited spaces known as certified Autism centers (CAC), an award reserved for organizations that have successfully completed extensive training led by Autism experts. CACs are committed to serving the Autistic community and partake in continual training to ensure they remain a safe space. Learn more.

Featured

Carl the Collector, Coming Soon

A new animated TV series is set to premiere in Fall on PBS Kids, based around a loveable raccoon on the Autism spectrum.

The show aims to promote neurodiversity and inclusivity through the lead character Carl and his fun and caring friends, many of which are also neurodiverse.

Carl’s vast array of talents and his incredible collection of random yet useful objects help him navigate each and every challenge thrown at him. Although, not without a few hiccups along the way – his anxiety and difficulty adapting to new situations can sometimes throw a spanner in the works.

Through his adventures, Carl learns valuable life lessons, navigates social interactions, and explores his unique interests. Developed in collaboration with experts and Autistic individuals, the series aims to accurately portray the Autistic experience while fostering empathy and understanding among young viewers.

Keep an eye out for Carl and his best buddies on a screen near you soon! You can read more about Carl the Collector on the PBS website here.

Community Corner

🧸 New book advocates for awareness and acceptance: Based on the real-life experiences and learnings of a Cincinnati family, “Be U Bear” explores moments of frustration, joy, and growth, and was written to help readers develop empathy, understand the perspectives and behaviors of Autistic people, and appreciate every individual’s unique differences. Read more.

⚾️ A home run for Autistic youth and adults: The Alternative Baseball Organization (ABO) was started in 2016 and has since set up 12 programs around the US, with more on the way. The League aims to teach Autistic people aged 15+ more than just baseball, fostering physical and social skills players can take off the field and into other areas of life.
Read full article.

📣 Family speaks out after Autistic son was tased by police: A 14-year old Chicago teen was mistaken as a suspect in a crime committed in the surrounding area and tased in his own backyard by a police officer, who has since been discharged from his position. The teenager’s family expressed that the encounter was frightening to watch, and left their son confused and physically injured. Read full article.

Resources and Tools

👧 Autism in females: A blog post written by the Human Health team, summarising a couple of ways Autism may present differently in females and how that may affect the journey to diagnosis. Read the post here.

📖 Autism Hub webpage: A knowledge base for current information about Autism, including live feeds of the latest clinical trials and publications, news articles, community stories, and more. Visit the Autism Hub.

📱 Health tracking: Human Health is a free mobile app that helps you track Autism symptoms and treatments. Download the app here.

💬 Support groups: You can find a list of Autism support groups and organizations on the US Autism Association website. Link to list.

Inspiration and Motivation