The latest thinking about autism suggests the idea of a single autism spectrum may be misleading, outdated and unhelpful. A concept which has shaped thinking around autism since the 1980s, the idea of a single autism spectrum, ranging from mild to severe, is now being called in to question by researchers and many people...
Proposals to improve SEND system in England
A committee of MPs has set out a 48-point plan to solve the SEND crisis in England, with proposals for national SEND standards and mandatory training. The Parliamentary education committee published a report in September 2025 which recommends a series of policies to improve SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) support in education. The...
Tragic death reveals crisis in the care of people with learning disabilities
Families and campaigners are speaking out after the tragic death of a man with learning disabilities has exposed a crisis in the care of people with learning disabilities and autism. Bereaved families of people with learning disabilities have warned that people are dying due to a lack of NHS training and staff shortages. Adrian...
Autism community warns about ‘dangerous’ Trump claims
Prominent voices from within the autism community – together with health officials and medical experts – have warned that President Trump’s claims about autism are “really dangerous” and could have a significant negative impact. Speaking from the White House on Monday, where he was accompanied by his Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, President...
Overdue LeDeR report reveals “stark new figures”
The 2023 LeDeR report has been presented to Parliament and published online. The arguably long overdue report relates to avoidable and preventable deaths of people with learning disabilities and autistic people which occurred in the UK in 2023. It reveals some small improvements against a backdrop of “stark new figures” and “unacceptable” differences in...
LeDeR report faces ‘unacceptable delay’
Campaigners urge the government to publish the latest LeDeR report, after it experiences an unexplained and “unacceptable” delay. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is facing mounting pressure to release the delayed report into the deaths of people with learning disabilities and autistic people, with critics accusing the government of “sitting on”...
Children with special educational needs could lose ‘vital’ support
The government has been urged to retain education, health and care plans (EHCPs) for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Ministers have so far refused to rule out scrapping the education plans, but campaigners argue they provide children with special educational needs with “vital provision,” and “precious legal protections.” When...
FRT nominated at the National Learning Disabilities and Autism Awards
First Response Training (FRT) were nominated for an award at this year’s National Learning Disabilities and Autism Awards. The leading national training provider was nominated in the Employer category, and had the distinction of being the only training provider to be shortlisted in this category. Held on Friday 4th July 2025 at the ICC...
NHS 10-Year Plan outlines key reforms for healthcare
The government recently published their NHS 10-Year Plan, which outlines key reforms for the future of healthcare in England, but omits learnings from avoidable deaths. The Fit for the future: 10-Year Health Plan for England was published on 3rd July 2025 to address the “critical condition” of the NHS and “guarantee its sustainability for...
First Response Training delivers empowering training for local community group, The Monday Night Club
National training provider First Response Training has delivered “engaging, accessible” first aid training for members of a local social club for adults with a learning disability and autistic people. The Monday Night Club is a fantastic Worcester-based social club run by members, for members. They organise social get-togethers, discos, karaoke evenings, parties, talent shows,...
Many firms not prepared to make adjustments for neurodivergent staff
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has raised concerns that many employers are not “fully prepared” to make reasonable adjustments for neurodivergent employees. IOSH conducted an online poll to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week last month. It asked it’s followers on LinkedIn about the ability and willingness of businesses to make reasonable adjustments...
April is World Autism Acceptance Month
April is World Autism Acceptance Month, with Wednesday 2nd April kickstarting a month of celebration and awareness-raising with World Autism Awareness Day. The global campaign aims to “raise awareness, foster acceptance and create a society where autistic people are supported, understood and empowered.” In the UK, the National Autistic Society wants to change attitudes...
Neurodiversity Celebration Week celebrates different minds
It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week (17th – 23rd March 2025), which encourages everyone to celebrate neurological differences and recognise the talents and strengths of neurodivergent individuals. Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a global initiative founded in the UK in 2018 by Siena Castellon MBE, who has campaigned to support young people with special educational needs (SEN)...
Achieving better care for people with learning disabilities and autistic people
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has been leading on a project to review the care and treatment that people with learning disabilities and autistic people receive. Britain’s care watchdog was asked by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to lead Independent Care (Education) and Treatment Reviews (ICTR) over the next two years...
Learning Disability Week 2024: challenge barriers and improve lives
It’s Learning Disability Week in the UK and the theme for this year is ‘Do you see me?’, which aims to challenge the barriers people with a learning disability face and ensure they are seen, heard and valued. Running each year during the third week of June (17th – 23rd June 2024), Learning Disability...