All the latest news about issues relating to adults with special needs

Follow all the latest exciting and uplifting news about adults with special needs and see what they can achieve when given the right opportunities.

If you come across any useful articles, blogs or video please email over the details for review and we'll add them here.

The Good Doctor - Sometimes being different can make all the difference

Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, relocates from a quiet country life to join a prestigious hospital’s surgical unit. Alone in the world and unable to personally connect with those around him, Shaun uses his extraordinary medical gifts to save lives and challenge the scepticism of his colleagues.

Trailer courtesy of ABC Television Network

Sam, the dancing barista meets Ellen DeGeneres

Sam from Toronto, Canada is a barista who has autism.

To help him focus he dances his way through the workday and after a video of his dance moves went viral, Ellen DeGeneres just had to meet him and his boss in person.

Watch this video to hear from Sam who is a truly inspirational individual.

Including people with autism in our lives requires a change in thinking

Until quite recently, autism was generally regarded as a rare medical condition of childhood, in which affected individuals were severely handicapped and usually had to be institutionalised and cared for, often for lengthy periods, sometimes for life.

In only the past few years we have come to realise that this viewpoint was far too narrow and that our way of thinking had to radically change.

Read the rest of this excellent article by Vaughan Bowen from the Calgary Herald.

The character Mr Spock from Star Trek shared traits associated with autism, but he was a valued member of the Starship Enterprise crew.

Cineplex offers sensory friendly screenings

Cineplex Entertainment in partnership with Autism Speaks Canada is offering Sensory Friendly Screenings.

This program provides a sensory friendly environment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder or anyone for whom the environment is suitable and their families to view new release films in theatres across the Canada.

Follow this link to find out more.

The A Word

The A Word is a 6-part drama series about a messy extended family with a child newly diagnosed with autism at its centre.

More than that, it is a drama about a family who cannot communicate. This is not because they aren’t smart, articulate or funny, but because, like most of us, there is a gulf between their deepest feelings and how they express them.

Trailer courtesy of the BBC