autism

New Guardian analysis shows some of the most affluent areas of England have recorded the sharpest increases in the proportion of young people claiming disability benefits, driven largely by claims relating to ADHD and autism. Commenters are sharing the findings and debating what they suggest about diagnosis rates, support needs and the welfare system's direction.

A new study reports that autism is associated with two distinct and opposing molecular patterns in the brain, suggesting the condition may involve divergent biological pathways rather than a single shared profile. Researchers say the findings could help explain why autism presents so differently across individuals and may guide future research into subtypes and targeted treatments.