Autism

Brandon and Emily Myers were charged with child endangerment after police found a severely malnourished girl with autism locked in her bedroom without food or water. The investigation revealed the door was equipped with mechanisms installed to prevent exit, and officers found no source of food or water inside the room. One defendant admitted that the girl was kept locked up nightly and required using a plastic tote containing urine for sanitation.

Robert B Shpiner warns that an executive order requiring the separation of MMR shots is dangerous, arguing it is based on feelings rather than facts. The article states there is no evidence linking vaccines to autism or necessitating the division of the MMR vaccine. Shpiner cautions that this policy could result in unnecessary hospitalizations and deaths, threatening preventive medicine.

A search is currently underway for 20-year-old Isaac Wilkie, who has autism. His loved ones posted pictures of him near his home in Harlem on Thursday evening.

A 21-year-old student with autism, Halle Hansen, faces criminal battery charges after allegedly striking a teacher during a cell phone confiscation incident at American Senior High School. Prosecutors refused to dismiss the case despite her family's request and psychological evidence indicating she lacks understanding of legal proceedings. The family is suing the Miami-Dade school board and school police department over the incident.

A Baton Rouge woman is accused of asking for and not repaying over $5,800 from a former classmate who is autistic. The victim, described as autistic, is seeking the return of the funds.

The primary therapy for children with autism under Medicaid is set to undergo changes. The article mentions a newsletter signup for health and medicine updates but provides limited additional details.

A top UK specialist warns that autism is being overdiagnosed, attributing this trend to the influence of social media making it too popular.

RFK Jr. stated during a CNN interview that Trump 'certainly' wants him to investigate a potential link between autism and vaccines, referencing a Wall Street Journal report. The discussion occurred on the 'State of the Union' program when asked about the accuracy of the Journal's claim.

An 11-year-old non-verbal autistic boy named Parker died after escaping a care facility in Calgary. His death has highlighted concerns about elopement among parents of children with autism.

Medicaid spending on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for autism has surged into the billions, prompting partisan debates over fraud enforcement and access to care. Republican-led states like Florida emphasize oversight, while others like Georgia focus on reimbursement rates. Federal investigations in Minnesota reveal large-scale Medicaid fraud schemes involving unnecessary services and inflated billing.

The Genuine Cup in Houston has welcomed over 1,000 neurodiverse athletes, including those with intellectual disabilities and autism, from around the world.

A Texas man was arrested in Miami Beach after his 12-year-old foster son with autism was found running through traffic wearing minimal clothing, while his 10-year-old nonverbal foster brother was left unattended in a hotel room. The man, a teacher, was charged with child neglect and had a strong odor of alcohol during the incident.

Candace Collins, a mother of five, was killed in a hit-and-run on I-57 in Washington Heights. Her family launched a GoFundMe to cover funeral costs and support her children, including a 7-year-old with autism. The Illinois State Police are investigating the incident, but no arrests have been made.

Trump urges RFK Jr. to reduce childhood vaccines, citing concerns over autism. The article highlights a push to cut vaccine use in children linked to autism-related claims.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling for reform to the national emergency alert system following the disappearance and death of an 11-year-old Calgary boy with autism. The boy was found dead after going missing earlier this month.

A mother and grandmother have been charged with murder following the death of a Bronx teen with autism who starved to death. The arraignment of the two individuals was covered by Kemberly Richardson.

A mother and grandmother were charged with murder after a Bronx teen with autism starved to death. The arraignment of the two suspects was covered by Kemberly Richardson.

Bronx mom Geneva Jarvis and grandmother Denise Jarvis were arrested for murder after their 16-year-old son, Adonis Jarvis, who had autism, died of starvation and neglect.

Angelina Viglione, a barista in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, earns $600 to $1,000 monthly through a home-based laundry service using the Poplin platform. She balances this side hustle with her job to support her severely autistic son, emphasizing the flexibility it provides for caregiving and financial needs.

An autistic first grader was suspended for biting a sandwich into the shape of a gun and pointing it at a classmate. A statement noted that a six-year-old without autism would likely not recognize the action as inappropriate.

The US will reinstate $600 million in funding to GAVI, the global vaccine program, reversing a freeze by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who had cited concerns about vaccine safety and autism links. The decision follows pressure from President Donald Trump, who also expressed worries about vaccines, and marks a shift in policy.

A 6-year-old first grader with autism was suspended for biting his sandwich into the shape of a gun and pointing it at a classmate during lunch. His family claims the Fayette County school district disciplines him without adequately considering his disability, citing over 33 disciplinary actions since 2023, including 14 suspensions for incidents like using a water bottle as a gun. The family hired a former special education director to challenge the suspensions, while the district's superintendent stated they aim to work with parents but did not address the specific incident.

Edward Gene Smith, a Citigroup executive, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for drugging and raping women. He attempted to blame his autism for the crimes.

Donald Trump is pushing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current health secretary, to cut vaccines more aggressively in the US. The White House has paused vaccine schedule changes due to unpopularity, but Trump remains focused on linking vaccines to 'alleviating autism'.

A 6-year-old boy with autism was suspended from school after biting his sandwich into the shape of a gun. The incident highlights concerns about school policies and responses to behavioral challenges in children with autism.

Two Michigan brothers, Jake and Max Tilk, challenge perceptions about autism through social media content showcasing Max's independence. Their viral video of Max getting a haircut highlights their mission to demonstrate that autism is no barrier to self-sufficiency, supported by their 1.4 million TikTok followers and similar audiences on other platforms.

AIM Autism, founded by Stewart and Jessica Friesen after their son's autism diagnosis, hosted its sixth annual BBQ fundraiser at Fonda Speedway to support families affected by autism.

The article argues that the MAHA movement, often dismissed as anti-vaccine and anti-science, represents broader public concerns about environmental pollutants, healthcare costs, and corporate influence in health policy. While MAHA includes a vocal anti-vaccine faction, polling indicates most supporters prioritize healthcare affordability and chemical additives, with only a small fraction citing vaccines as their main concern.

A 31-year-old Homestead man, David Martinez Jr., was arrested after allegedly beating his non-verbal, autistic 4-year-old son for 25 minutes using a belt and open hand, causing abrasions and red marks. The incident occurred at his home on Thursday afternoon, with in-home surveillance confirming the abuse.

Minnesota families face fragmented healthcare systems requiring multiple providers for mental health, physical health, and supportive services. The article highlights how disconnected systems exacerbate issues like anxiety and asthma, emphasizing the mind-body connection and the need for integrated care.

Cristina Rodriguez, a Miami-Dade County Public Schools graduate, co-founded Mind&Melody, a nonprofit providing over 16,000 interactive music sessions for individuals with neurological and developmental conditions across Florida, New Mexico, and New York. The organization engages participants through live music activities in healthcare and community settings, expanding beyond hospitals to include memory care and schools.

Federal health research grants worth $109 million were terminated early by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), affecting 78 grants totaling $200 million. Researchers received notices citing a shift in priorities to focus on areas like patient safety, AI, long Covid, and autism. AcademyHealth confirmed the impact on health services researchers, who expressed concerns about their field's future.

St. Mary’s County deputies rescued a 9-year-old nonverbal boy with autism from a river in Hollywood, Maryland. Deputies Madison DeVries and Matthew Camp located the child during a search and safely brought him to shore, with Camp receiving praise for his quick actions. The boy was reunited with his family and evaluated by medical personnel.

Illinois is introducing a Blue Envelope program to assist drivers with autism during traffic stops. The initiative aims to reduce stress for drivers and improve understanding among officers.

A 16-year-old in Florida is being charged as an adult for allegedly taking a young boy from a birthday party, sexually abusing him in an abandoned trailer, and stuffing him into a wedding dress bag. The case was transferred to adult court, and the teenager faces charges including sexual battery, false imprisonment, and aggravated child abuse.

A 16-year-old in Florida is charged as an adult with sexual battery, false imprisonment, and aggravated child abuse after allegedly taking a boy under 12 from a birthday party, sexually abusing him in an abandoned trailer, and stuffing him in a wedding dress bag. The case was transferred to adult court, and the suspect is held without bond. Both the victim and the accused are autistic, according to their parents.

The New York Times explored terminal lucidity in dementia patients, a phenomenon where cognitive abilities briefly return before death. The article also notes a rise in mild autism cases and a link between Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

New York City is expanding special education services for preschoolers with disabilities, including autism, emotional disabilities, and those needing adapted academics. A $67.5 million investment will fund three new programs starting in fall 2024 across 14 community school districts, prioritizing areas with working-class and immigrant families. The initiative includes hiring staff to reduce evaluation delays, support IEP creation, and expand bilingual assessments.

Mayor Mamdani has prioritized early childhood education by initiating programs for 250 preschoolers with autism and developmental delays across more than two dozen schools in NYC.

City officials announced the expansion of five special education programs (Nest, Horizon, AIMS, Path, and ACES) into pre-K classrooms across 14 school districts in New York City, funded by a $67.5 million investment. The expansion aims to provide students with autism and developmental delays access to inclusive and specialized early childhood education.