Articles in Neurodiversity and Learning Disability

Articles in Autism

A box of paracetamol on a grey background, with a strip of tablets laying over half of the front of the box

President Trump’s Claims About Paracetamol & Autism

Ben Clark

This is a short post from social media, not a full briefing post. So much has been published by reputable sources on this subject already that BuDS has decided to focus on other issues where our input will be more valuable. If you have any questions, please do get in touch.

Paracetamol – known as Tylenol in the US – does not cause or ‘trigger’ autism. If pregnant women take paracetamol, their chance of having an autistic child is not affected. It is extraordinary that we have to say this, but the bizarre news coming from America means we have to.

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President Trump wearing a dark jacket and light blue tie speaking with his hands spread in front of him. In the background is seen Robert F Kennedy Jr.

President Trump’s Claims About Leucovorin & Autism

Ben Clark

President Trump has claimed that a particular medication called Leucovorin is a “gamechanger” in autism treatment, and that “it could help make our kids healthy again”. This is entirely false. Leucovorin is a useful medicine to treat a highly specific condition found in some autistic children, but it is not a treatment for autism, and it does not have a significant positive impact on the symptoms of autism.

BuDS advises that the parents of autistic children, and autistic people themselves, take no notice of Trump’s announcement. It is simply not true.

This is twice in one week that we have been forced to correct dangerous misinformation from the US President and his coterie.

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The Neurodiversity In Business Community Partner logo. It is a purple circle with a series of coloured arches around an image of a brain. The words "Neurodiversity in Business" are in the purple circle. The words "community partner" are in a blue banner across the lower portion of the circle.

BuDS Joins Neurodiversity in Business (NiB)

Ben Clark

Buckinghamshire Disability Service (BuDS) has become a Community Partner of Neurodiversity in Business (NiB), the voluntary industry forum supporting the participation of neurodivergent individuals in the workforce.

NiB draws on the cumulative knowledge of neurodivergency experts like BuDS and leading companies to share best practices and improve the employment and experience of neurodiverse people. 

Neurodivergency is a term used to describe a range of neurological conditions including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia and Tourettes.

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Quotes from Ann's Trustee Blog

My Journey As a BuDS Trustee

Janneke

Written by Ann Hedges

Disclaimer: this is a personal blog by a BuDS member. The views expressed are personal and don’t necessarily represent those of BuDS or our Trustees.

“I have been a BuDS Trustee since 2018, and it is a role I have found very rewarding. Having left work, I found that I am able to continue using skills which I have acquired over many years in my work with BuDS. 

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Finally, It All Makes Sense! ADHD And Me

Ben Clark

Written by Janneke Elford

Disclaimer: this is a personal blog by a BuDS member. The views expressed are personal and don’t necessarily represent those of BuDS or our Trustees.

Some people have described as a workaholic, I thought I was, and had been all of my working life. My workplace was a constant source of stimulation and I didn’t see or understand my patterns of intensity, compulsion and hyperfocus on tasks. I thought being a workaholic was a good thing, especially for my career. However, this led to bouts of bad mental health and burnouts several times over a long period in my previous employment, and being in a workplace that had a severe lack of empathy was a disaster waiting to happen. To be honest being made redundant from that role was the best thing that could of happened, as it led me to BuDS.

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LD Project Visits Social Link High Wycombe

Ben Clark

A small group of BuDS volunteers who are passionate about neurodiversity and learning disability issues came up with some ideas of what we could do to mark Learning Disability week this year. In the end, it was agreed that we would visit a couple of local services to showcase what they offer to people with a learning disability. The purpose of our visits was to find out what the services had to offer before the Covid-19 pandemic began, what happened during the early days of the pandemic, and how the service has evolved and changed since. Below is the second of our reports.

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The Importance Of Work For People With A Learning Disability

Ben Clark

Written by Ann H

Work is an important part of life for everyone. I have been lucky. I have had a varied working life. As an Adult nurse working in a variety of settings, as a Learning Disability Community Nurse and finally involved in teaching the next generation of nurses. As part of that I have been involved in the Approval and Monitoring of University programmes. Work has been such an important part of my life. It gave me the opportunity to make friends and meet people. As I grew professionally, my self-esteem and confidence grew, and it gave me the means financially not to have to worry too much about money.  Although at times life was very stressful, working generally kept my mental health on an even keel. Since I retired, I have returned as a Visiting Lecturer working as appropriate, which for me has been very positive.

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LD Project Visits Thrift Farm

Ben Clark

A small group of BuDS volunteers who are passionate about neurodiversity and learning disability issues came up with some ideas of what we could do to mark Learning Disability week this year. In the end, it was agreed that we would visit a couple of local services to showcase what they offer to people with a learning disability. The purpose of our visits was to find out what the services had to offer before the Covid-19 pandemic began, what happened during the early days of the pandemic, and how the service has evolved and changed since. Below is the first of our reports.

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