Thank you for this @Declaracion #Autism

💙 Compassion should never be conditional. The tragic death of the man involved in the recent tiger incident has prompted considerable discussion and some deeply upsetting comments on social media. There have been reports and claims about the man’s possible disabilities, including autism and a learning disability. However, I have not found official confirmation of his diagnosis or circumstances, and we should be careful not to present speculation as fact. Regardless of whether someone is disabled or non-disabled, every human being deserves dignity, compassion and respect. We rarely know the full story behind a headline. We don’t know someone’s life experiences, personal challenges or circumstances, and we should never be so quick to judge. It is possible to acknowledge the seriousness of a tragic incident, discuss safety and ask questions without resorting to name-calling, ridicule or cruelty. Behind every headline is a human being. Behind every tragedy is a family experiencing unimaginable grief. Let’s be a society that chooses understanding over judgement, kindness over cruelty, and compassion over condemnation. We should never lose our humanity when talking about someone who has lost their life. 💙 #DisabilityAwareness #AutismAwareness #LearningDisability #ChooseKindness #Compassion

BE KIND #WorldMentalHealthDay 💚

ADHD and autism: we need better assessments, not more barriers. I’ve been reflecting on the recent review suggesting that the country has reached a tipping point over ADHD and autism diagnoses, with concerns about potential misdiagnosis. Let me be clear: accurate diagnosis matters. Assessments must be thorough, clinicians must be appropriately qualified, and nobody should be given an inaccurate diagnosis that leads to the wrong treatment. But there is another side to this debate that must not be overlooked. What about the people who have spent years struggling, being misunderstood, masking their difficulties and wondering why everyday things seem so much harder for them than for others? What about those facing lengthy NHS waiting lists who turn to independent assessments because they desperately need answers, only to find that accessing a diagnosis and obtaining appropriate support can be two very different things? We must not allow concerns about misdiagnosis to create an atmosphere of suspicion around everyone seeking an ADHD or autism assessment. If there are problems with assessment standards, address them. If clinicians need better training, provide it. If people are being misdiagnosed, investigate why and improve the system. But please do not lose sight of the people behind the statistics. A diagnosis is not simply a label. For many people, it can provide an explanation for years of difficulties, help them understand themselves and open the door to appropriate support. We must also recognise that people can have overlapping conditions and complex needs. The answer is not to assume that everyone seeking a diagnosis is correctly diagnosed, nor to assume that rising demand means people are being diagnosed unnecessarily. It is to ensure that every individual receives a thorough, evidence-based assessment. The answer cannot simply be to make diagnosis harder to obtain. It must be to make assessments better, waiting times more reasonable and support more accessible. Neurodivergent people already face enough misunderstanding, stigma and barriers to support. We should not add to that by making people afraid to seek an assessment or question whether their difficulties will be taken seriously. Accuracy and compassion are not competing priorities. We need both. Ultimately, this debate must be about getting the right assessment, the right understanding and the right support to the right people at the right time. And crucially, we must listen to autistic and ADHD people themselves. Their voices and lived experiences must be central to this conversation, not an afterthought. #ADHD #Autism #Neurodiversity #Neurodivergent #AutismAcceptance #ADHDAwareness #AutismAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #NHS #InclusiveSupport #ListenToNeurodivergentPeople

Dame Esther Rantzen RIP Dame Esther Rantzen has spent so much of her life speaking up for others, and in the final chapter of her life she used her voice to speak about something deeply personal — her wish to die with dignity and to have choice over the end of her life. Whatever our individual views on assisted dying, her openness helped bring an incredibly difficult subject into public conversation. Nobody should have to face the end of their life without compassion, dignity and the very best possible care. Dame Esther’s legacy goes far beyond television. Through Childline, The Silver Line and decades of campaigning, she made a difference to the lives of so many people. A remarkable woman who used her voice right to the end. ❤️

Wow, @kylieminogue medley at the AFL Grand Final was incredible! 🇦🇺🤩 The singers, dancers and whole performance were amazing 🎶👏

It's #WorldAlzheimersDay and my heart and thoughts are with everyone affected by this disease Anyone can get #dementia. It doesn’t discriminate between age, gender, race or class.

🚨‼️ SHOULD THE UK HAVE A NATIONAL EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM FOR MISSING VULNERABLE CHILDREN? 🚨 Following the heartbreaking stories of children going missing, I want to open up an important discussion. When a vulnerable child goes missing, particularly an autistic child or a child with additional needs who may have little awareness of danger or difficulty communicating, every minute can matter. Some autistic children experience what’s known as elopement, where they unexpectedly run off or wander away, sometimes in a matter of seconds. 📱 Should the Government consider using its existing mobile Emergency Alerts system to notify people in the immediate area when police determine that a missing child is at serious risk? An alert could potentially include: 🔹 The child’s name and photograph, where appropriate. 🔹 Where and when they were last seen. 🔹 A description of their clothing. 🔹 Clear instructions on how to report a sighting directly to the police. 🔹 Safeguards to protect the child’s privacy and prevent unnecessary alerts. The UK already has emergency alert technology. The question is whether it could also be used in carefully defined, high-risk missing-child cases. I’ve discovered that a parliamentary petition calling for a national alert system for missing autistic and vulnerable people already exists. 💬 What do YOU think? Should this be considered? What safeguards would be needed? I’d particularly welcome the views of parents, carers, autistic people and those with lived experience. 👇 Please share your thoughts respectfully in the comments. ❤️ Please share this post if you’d like others to join the discussion. #MissingChildren #AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance #Neurodiversity #ChildSafety #MissingPersons #EmergencyAlerts #Safeguarding #AutismUnderstanding #UKParliament

💔 Rest in Peace, Noah. A Plea for Compassion and Understanding. 💔 My heart goes out to Noah’s family. Such an utterly heartbreaking tragedy. I’ve seen so many comments asking why he wasn’t being watched, why he was wearing reins, and questioning those responsible for his care. What people need to understand is that some autistic children can run off unexpectedly, sometimes with very little warning. This is sometimes referred to as “elopement”. Elopement is when an autistic child or adult unexpectedly leaves a safe place or moves away from their parent, carer or supervision. They may suddenly run towards something that interests them, become overwhelmed by their surroundings, or wander away without fully recognising the dangers around them. Not all autistic children experience this, but for those who do, it can happen in a matter of seconds, even when parents and carers are being vigilant and have safety precautions in place. Reins and other safety measures are often used precisely because families are trying to keep their children safe. Before judging Noah’s family or asking why he wasn’t being watched, please remember that none of us knows the full circumstances. A child can run off in seconds, even when precautions are in place. Wearing reins is not, in itself, a sign of neglect; it can be a measure taken to protect a child. Speculation and cruel comments can cause unimaginable additional pain to a family already facing a devastating tragedy. There is a time for understanding what happened and learning any lessons that may help prevent future tragedies. But right now, surely compassion, kindness and respect for Noah and his family should come first. Please, let’s show kindness rather than judgement. No family deserves to have their worst nightmare turned into a public blame game. Rest in peace, Noah. ❤️ #RestInPeaceNoah #AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance #AutismUnderstanding #NoJudgement #BeKind #Compassion #AutismSafety

Absolutely heartbreaking news. 💔 Police have confirmed that a body has been found in the search for three-year-old Noah. There are simply no words for a tragedy like this. A precious little boy with his whole life ahead of him. My thoughts and deepest condolences are with Noah’s family, loved ones and everyone affected by this devastating news. Rest in peace, little Noah. Fly high, little angel. You will never be forgotten. 🕊️❤ #autism #noah

🚨 PLEASE SHARE — MISSING 3-YEAR-OLD NOAH 🚨 A huge search is under way tonight for 3-year-old Noah, who has gone missing from a playground in Merriam Close, Brantham, Suffolk. Noah was at the playground at around 3pm on Tuesday and is reported to have run down an alleyway towards a nearby new-build housing estate. 💙 Noah is autistic, non-verbal and has partial hearing loss. He is described as: • White • Curly ginger hair • Wearing a white Bluey T-shirt, shorts and white trainers Police and emergency services are searching for him, and residents in the area are being urged to check gardens, sheds, outbuildings, behind bins and around vehicles. 🙏 PLEASE SHARE THIS POST FAR AND WIDE. Even if you don’t live anywhere near Suffolk, sharing could help this reach someone who does. A little boy needs to be found and brought safely home. 💙 Please keep Noah, his family and everyone searching for him in your thoughts tonight. 🔗 Latest information from Sky News: news.sky.com/story/search-un… #FindNoah #MissingChild #Brantham #Suffolk #PleaseShare #MissingPerson

I was listening to some footage and audio this morning that came up on my feed — recordings of flight attendants and passengers making calls home before the planes hit the World Trade Center. 😢 It’s heartbreaking to hear the voices of people who knew they might never see or speak to their loved ones again. Today, we remember them, their families, and everyone whose life was changed forever. Always remember. Never forget. ❤️🇺🇸

The tragic death of Professor Jason Arday has made me think again about something I spoke about on BBC Breakfast — the deeply concerning rates of suicide amongst autistic people. Too many autistic people experience isolation, misunderstanding, bullying, discrimination and enormous pressure simply trying to navigate a world that often doesn’t understand them. When I spoke on BBC Breakfast, I wanted to help raise awareness that behind the statistics are real people, families and lives. We need to keep talking about autistic mental health, but more importantly, we need services, workplaces and communities that genuinely listen, understand and support autistic people before they reach crisis point. This conversation matters. It can save lives. My BBC Breakfast interview: piped.video/CKEErirwCpg Please share — somebody who needs to hear this might see it. 💙 #autism #autistic

The death of Professor Jason Arday at just 41 is incredibly sad. Whatever people’s views about the allegations and controversy surrounding him, we should never lose sight of the human being at the centre of a story. Jason made history as the University of Cambridge’s youngest Black professor. His journey into academia was remarkable, and he became an inspiration to many people who had never imagined someone with their background or challenges could reach such a position. In the weeks before his death, he faced an extraordinary level of public scrutiny, criticism and online commentary. His family have spoken about the impact that misinformation and harassment had on him. There are legitimate ways to question, investigate and hold people accountable. But there also has to be humanity. Behind every headline and every social-media pile-on is a person — with a family, friends, vulnerabilities and feelings. Words have consequences, and sometimes we have no idea what somebody is dealing with behind closed doors. Jason Arday’s death should make all of us reflect on how we treat people, particularly when public criticism turns into humiliation, harassment or relentless personal attack. You can believe in accountability and compassion. The two are not mutually exclusive. Rest in peace, Professor Jason Arday. 🕊️ #autism #autistic

ADHD IS NOT A MYTH — AND PORTRAYALS THAT CAST DOUBT ON IT CAN CAUSE REAL HARM. Having watched Channel 4’s The Great ADHD Myth?, I am deeply concerned about the impact that programmes like this can have on people living with ADHD. For many people, receiving an ADHD diagnosis comes after years of struggling to understand why aspects of everyday life can be so difficult. ADHD can affect education, employment, relationships, confidence and day-to-day functioning. When people feel that a national television programme has questioned or undermined their condition, the impact doesn’t necessarily end when the credits roll. It can reinforce stigma. It can leave people feeling they have to justify their diagnosis. It can encourage others to dismiss very real difficulties. And it can leave people who are already struggling feeling unheard and invalidated. Of course, healthcare, ADHD assessment, diagnosis and prescribing should be open to scrutiny and responsible discussion. These are important issues and there should be room for balanced, evidence-based debate. But scrutinising how ADHD is diagnosed and treated is very different from presenting the subject in a way that some viewers may feel creates doubt about whether ADHD itself is a legitimate condition. That distinction matters. People with ADHD deserve to be treated with understanding and respect, and their lived experiences deserve to be part of the conversation. ADHD is real. Our experiences are real. And our voices matter. ADHD UK is gathering feedback following the programme and providing information for people who may wish to raise concerns through Ofcom: adhduk.co.uk/challenging-c4-… Please share if you believe the voices and lived experiences of people with ADHD deserve to be heard. The way neurodivergent people are represented in the media matters. #ADHD #ADHDUK #ADHDAwareness #Neurodiversity #EndTheStigma #LivedExperience

ADHD IS NOT A MYTH. It is real. It affects real people, real families and real lives. The way ADHD is portrayed in the media matters. It can shape whether people with ADHD are understood or dismissed, believed or doubted, supported or stigmatised. Following Channel 4’s programme The Great ADHD Myth?, ADHD UK is gathering feedback from viewers who have concerns about the programme and may wish to raise them with Ofcom. Have your voice heard. Share your experience. Challenge stigma. 👉 Complete the ADHD UK survey here: adhduk.co.uk/challenging-c4-… Please share this widely. Lived experience matters — and it deserves to be heard. #ADHD #ADHDUK #ADHDAwareness #Neurodiversity #LivedExperience

Channel 4 has aired "The Great ADHD Myth?". Together, we're responding. Please consider filling in our survey and complaining to Ofcom. Tell us the impact: our survey is collecting the evidence of what this programme has actually done - to how people see ADHD, and to people with it. A few minutes, anonymous, and it builds the record we'll take to Ofcom and Parliament. Complain to the regulator: our page has a ready-made Ofcom complaint: customisable, copy, paste. Both are here: adhduk.co.uk/challenging-c4-… #adhd

I always knew there was something wonderfully neurodivergent about Robbie Williams! ❤️ Today Robbie has revealed that, as well as having ADHD, he has discovered he is autistic — and says that it “explains so much.” As someone who understands the neurodivergent world, I’ve thought for years that I could see autistic traits in Robbie — in the way he talks about life, creativity, emotions and experiencing the world. It’s great to see someone with such a huge public profile speaking openly about autism and ADHD. It shows once again that being autistic doesn’t put a limit on creativity, talent or what you can achieve. Welcome to the autistic community, Robbie! ♾️❤️@robbiewilliams #RobbieWilliams #Autism #ADHD #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #Neurodivergent #AutismAcceptance

Dermot Murnaghan RIP Great Broadcaster & News Anchor

Whilst I understand the reasons behind proposals to restrict social media use for under-16s, it’s important to recognise that for many autistic young people, social media isn’t simply entertainment – it’s a vital tool for communication, friendship, peer support and reducing isolation. Any policy should carefully balance online safety with the needs of those who rely on these platforms to connect with the world #autism #autistic #socialmediaban #socialmedia