Neuodevelopmental disorders

  • young girl drawing at a desk

    What Is Autism Now?

    Autism was first described as a clinical condition in the mid-twentieth century and was long considered of low prevalence. Since the 1990s, autism prevalence has increased substantially, particularly in high-income countries. This rise has prompted public and professional debate, including concerns of over-diagnosis and suggestions of an “autism epidemic.” Current research and conceptual analysis suggest that these interpretations are not supported by the available evidence. Instead, changes in diagnostic practices, alongside shifts in social, educational, and economic environments, have reshaped how autism is recognised and understood.

    Read more
  • Eleanor Leigh

    Meet the expert: Practical techniques for managing social anxiety in everyday clinical work, with Dr. Eleanor Leigh

    We caught up with Dr. Eleanor Leigh, Associate Professor and MRC Clinician Scientist Fellow at the University of Oxford, to talk about practical techniques for managing social anxiety in everyday clinical work.

    Read more
  • therapist talking to girl

    Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents: Current Evidence and Clinical Practice

    Research over the past decade have refined our understanding of ADHD epidemiology, neurobiology, diagnosis, and treatment, with growing emphasis on evidence-based assessment, multimodal intervention, and shared decision-making with young people and families.

    Read more
  • helen minnis and Gajwani

    Beyond ACEs: When Trauma-Informed Care Misses Neurodivergent Children

    Trauma-informed care often overlooks neurodivergence, leading to missed diagnoses and support, as in James’ story. Research shows trauma, neurodevelopmental conditions and adversity frequently co-occur, with “double jeopardy” when both are present. Services must move beyond silos to holistic, person-centred assessment that recognises each child’s unique “make and model.”. Blog by Professor Helen Minnis (pic) and Dr. Ruchika Gajwani.

    Read more
  • 24

    Understanding mental health challenges in autism and ADHD: A focus on schools as a source of emotional burden

    The aim of this event is to share insights and outputs from Regulating Emotions – Strengthening Adolescent Resilience (RE-STAR), a UKRI-funded research programme which is trying understand why young neurodivergent people are at elevated risk for mental health problems.

    Event type
    FREE live stream
    Location
    FREE live stream
    Read more
  • Girl Looks At Camera And Smiles

    STEPS in the Community: Pilot Trial Offers Promising Pathways for Autistic Adults Transitioning to Independence

    Up to 70,000 autistic teenagers enter adulthood in the US each year, yet many report feeling unprepared for the leap. The Stepped Transition to Employment and Postsecondary Success (STEPS) programme is a goal-oriented intervention designed to bridge this gap.

    Read more
  • 26

    Neurodiversity: Cutting-Edge Research, Evolving Perspectives, and Effective Innovations – 2025 Jack Tizard Memorial International Conference

    ‘Neurodiversity: Cutting-Edge Research, Evolving Perspectives, and Effective Innovations’ is the 2025 Jack Tizard Memorial Conference that brings together leading experts to explore neurodiversity research and practices in mental health, genetics and brain development, and lifespan interventions.

    Event type
    Jack Tizard Memorial International Conference
    Read more
  • edmund songua barke

    Professor Edmund Sonuga-Barke – Editor in Chief

    Editor in Chief, Professor Edmund Sonuga-Barke is Professor of Developmental Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience working in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, King’s College London.

    Read more
  • Laurie Hannigan

    Laurie Hannigan

    Laurie Hannigan is a senior researcher based at the Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Oslo, Norway. He completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Southampton, in the UK, followed by a master’s in Social, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry at King’s College London. He obtained his PhD in Behavior Genetics from King’s in 2018.

    Read more
  • Dr. Isabel Morales-Muñoz

    Dr. Isabel Morales-Munoz

    Dr Isabel Morales-Munoz, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor in Psychology, based at the Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, at the University of Birmingham. Isabel has a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, from the University of Deusto, Bilbao (Spain). She completed her MSc in Cognitive Neuropsychology at the Complutense University of Madrid (Spain), and her MSc in Psychopathology and Health at the National University of Distance Education (Spain).

    Read more