Wetherspoons has been ordered to pay £25,000 to Brandon Halstead, an autistic kitchen worker, after he was mistreated over a staff discount violation. The tribunal found that the company failed to make reasonable adjustments for his autism, leading to significant stress and anxiety for Halstead, who was wrongly accused of dishonesty. The judge ruled that Wetherspoons' response was disproportionate given Halstead's lack of awareness regarding the discount policy.

A study from Sweden reveals that the significant rise in clinical diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) over recent decades is not reflected in an increase in reported symptoms among the population. While symptoms of ADHD remained stable in boys, there was a small increase noted in girls, suggesting a nuanced trend in symptomatology rather than a general increase in underlying traits.

The article explores the concept of the "autistic recursion elasticity hypothesis," discussing the unique introspective abilities of autistic individuals and how their self-awareness and social interactions differ. The author reflects on personal experiences and the metaphor of a caterpillar navigating complex loops of consciousness, suggesting that individual growth and understanding can lead to a more profound connection with others.