Neurodiversity

  • Rachel Bryant Waugh

    Meet the Expert – ARFID in Autistic Young People, with Dr. Rachel Bryant-Waugh

    On 22 June 2026, ACAMH will host ARFID in Autistic Young People: Assessment, Overlap and Practical Clinical Management. We caught up with one of the presenters – Dr. Rachel Bryant-Waugh, an eating disorders clinician and researcher based at the Maudsley Hospital and King’s College London – about the topic itself, her career, and her hopes for the event.

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  • Helen Minnis

    Maltreatment, Trauma-Related Disorders, and Their Interplay with Neurodivergence

    Prof Helen Minnis leads a session about the trauma and stressor related disorders of childhood, known as Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) and Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED). These are disorders thought to be ‘caused’ by maltreatment (abuse and neglect). We aim to raise your awareness about RAD & DSED and to enable you with the skills to recognise associated behaviours in children and young people who you work.

    Event type
    Advanced session
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  • Ashley Liew

    Meet the expert: Dr. Ashley Liew on Intellectual Disabilities

    We spoke to Dr. Ashley Liew, Consultant Paediatric Neuropsychiatrist at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and Vice-Chair of CAIDPN – about Intellectual Disabilities, and an upcoming CAIDPN conference.

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  • 22

    ARFID in Autistic Young People: Assessment, Overlap and Practical Clinical Management

    Explore ARFID and autism in this expert webinar on assessment and treatment strategies for children and young people. Learn how autism‑related traits shape eating behaviour and how to deliver effective, evidence‑based support across health and education settings. Dr. Rachel Bryant-Waugh leads this advanced online event.

    Event type
    Update session
    Location
    LIVE STREAM
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  • autism child drawing

    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.

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  • 07

    ADHD in the Classroom: Accommodations and Behavioural Supports

    Explore evidence-based ADHD in the classroom strategies, including classroom accommodations, behavioural support, and school-based interventions to help children and young people thrive. Led by Associate Professor Erin Schoenfelder Gonzalez.

    Event type
    Update session
    Location
    LIVE STREAM
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  • 07

  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • Black girl and grandmother lying on grass, overhead close up

    Insights from Two Decades of Statewide Data on the Diagnostic Rates among Autistic Females

    A 2024 study by Harrop and colleagues reflects how the landscape of autism diagnosis for females has evolved. Drawing on more than 10,000 diagnostic records from the TEACCH Autism Program in North Carolina, spanning the years 2000 to 2021, the study reveals a steady increase in the proportion of females identified as autistic. While diagnostic pathways are becoming more inclusive, late recognition remains a concern, highlighting the ongoing need for approaches that acknowledge the diversity of autistic experience.

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