Jennifer Sharren's daughter died after being failed by a medical and educational establishment that didn't consider her autism. Surrey County Council is developing an autism strategy with the help of Graham Wareham, chief executive of Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, who acknowledged shortcomings in care provided to Jennifer during her time at the trust. Mandatory training has been implemented for staff to provide better support to autistic individuals, including those with mental health needs.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14589177/My-daughters-suicide-prevented-fight-save-children-like-Jen-Sharren-Bridges.htmlThe global prevalence of autism spectrum disorder diagnoses among children and adolescents is increasing, according to Dr. Lara Branco, a psychiatrist at the University of São Paulo in Brazil. This growing trend highlights the need for more effective treatment pathways, as many current approaches are not yielding satisfactory results.
https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2025/04/08/brazil-CBD-cannabidiol-children-autism-study/1461744127954/A psychologist, Dr. Adolph Brown, has revealed a "foolproof hack" to help individuals overcome overthinking at night, which can disrupt sleep and cause anxiety. He suggests using "cognitive shuffling," a technique that involves quickly changing the subject of thought to calm the mind. Additionally, thought-stopping and thought-replacement methods have also been found effective in reducing racing thoughts and promoting better sleep.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14581253/psychologist-hack-stop-overthinking-night-sleep.htmlThe rising autism diagnosis rates in India are causing concern, with a significant increase in cases reported over the past few years. Dr. Shruti Mishra, a developmental and behavioural paediatrician at Ankura Hospital for Women and Children, attributes this trend to increased awareness and better diagnostic tools. However, she also notes that early detection is crucial to provide effective support and interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/health-and-well-being/rising-autism-diagnosis-rates-in-india-causes-and-implications-1871894Meta has announced new features to provide parents with "peace of mind" about their children's social media use on Instagram. The company plans to introduce restrictions on Instagram Live for users under 16, requiring parental permission before they can go live. Additionally, images sent to a Teen Account via DM suspected of containing nudity will be blurred and can only be modified or turned off with parental consent.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/meta-teen-account-facebook-messenger-under-16/46c37dd7-0c94-4ea3-827b-f2883c895ae9The police department has decided to implement a new approach to manage open-air drug use in the city, following recent community concerns. Chief Thai Truong announced that more officers will patrol on foot, paired with mental health experts and practicing nurses, to engage with people using drugs and connect them to resources. The new strategy focuses on compassionate methods rather than enforcement and arrest, aiming to address addiction in a long-term way.
https://globalnews.ca/news/11121235/london-police-open-drug-use/Meta has introduced new safety features on Instagram for parents, allowing them to view recent messages from their child, set daily time limits, and block teens during specific times. The company claims 97% of teens aged 13-15 have used these restrictions since they were added last year, with 94% of parents finding them helpful. However, online safety groups and lawmakers have expressed concerns that the upgrades are inadequate, citing a lack of transparency and a focus on profits over mental health. US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called for a "warning label" on social media apps to raise awareness about potential mental health risks, while state attorneys general have sued Meta over its business model, which they claim prioritizes addiction over children's well-being.
https://nypost.com/2025/04/08/lifestyle/meta-adds-new-age-based-restrictions-to-facebook-messenger-to-curb-inappropriate-content/Wigdor LLC is representing Jane Doe, who alleges she was abused by Jeffrey Epstein at his Upper East Side townhouse in 2002. The lawsuit claims Jane Doe, then 16 and autistic, was handed over to convicted pedophile Epstein by Leon Black, former CEO of Apollo Global Management, as part of a "hand off".
https://nypost.com/2025/04/07/business/law-firm-in-sexual-assault-suit-against-billionaire-leon-black-wants-to-exit-case-court-records/JD Vance's mother, Beverly Aikins, has overcome a decade-long struggle with addiction, including Vicodin and heroin, which led to her losing her nursing license and job. However, after working as a nurse, she successfully regained her license and now helps others at a substance abuse treatment center. At the White House, JD Vance celebrated his mother's 10-year sobriety milestone in front of their three grandchildren, Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel, who are now almost 8, 5, and 3 years old.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14580687/jd-vance-white-house-beverly-aikins-sober.html