A new diagnosis of ‘profound autism’ is under consideration. Here’s what parents need to know

When it comes to autism, few questions spark as much debate as how best to support autistic people with the greatest needs.

This prompted the Lancet medical journal to commission a group of international experts to propose a new category of “profound autism”.

This category describes autistic people who have little or no language (spoken, written, signed or via a communication device), who have an IQ of less than 50, and who require 24-hour supervision and support.

It would only apply to children aged eight and over, when their cognitive and communication abilities are considered more stable.

In our new study, we considered how the category could impact autism assessments. We found 24% of autistic children met, or were at risk of meeting, the criteria for profound autism.

Why the debate about a ‘profound autism’ category?

The category is intended to help governments and service providers plan and deliver supports, so autistic people with the highest needs aren’t overlooked. It also aims to re-balance their under-representation in mainstream autism research.

Autism should not be seen as single condition with one cause, says scientists. 

This new category may be helpful for advocating for a greater level of support, research and evidence for this group. But some have raised concerns that autistic people who don’t fit into this category could be perceived as less in need and excluded from services and funding supports.

Others argue the category doesn’t sufficiently emphasise autistic people’s strengths and capabilities, and places too much emphasis on the challenges that are experienced.

What did we do?

We conducted the first Australian study to examine how the “profound autism” category might apply to children attending publicly funded diagnostic services for developmental conditions.

Drawing on the Australian Child Neurodevelopment Registry, we examined data from 513 autistic children assessed between 2019 and 2024. We asked:

• How many children met the criteria for profound autism?

• Were there behavioural features that set this group apart?

Because we focused on children at the time of diagnosis, most (91%) were aged under eight years. We described these children as being “at risk of profound autism”.

What did we find?

About 24% of autistic children in our study met, or were at risk of meeting, the criteria for profound autism. This is similar to the proportion of children internationally.

Almost half (49.6%) showed behaviours that were a safety risk, such as trying to run away from carers, compared with one-third (31.2%) of other autistic children.

These challenges weren’t limited to children who met criteria for profound autism. About one in five autistic children (22.5%) engaged in self-injury and more than one-third (38.2%) showed aggression toward others.

So, while the category identified many children with very high needs, other children who didn’t meet these criteria also had significant needs.

Importantly, we found the definition of “profound autism” doesn’t always line up with the official diagnostic levels which determine the level of support and national disability insurance scheme funding children receive.

In our study, 8% of children at risk of profound autism were classified as level 2, rather than level 3 (the highest level of support). Meanwhile, 17% of children classified as level 3 did not meet criteria for profound autism.

Our concern

We looked at children when they first received an autism diagnosis. Children were aged 18 months to 16 years, with more than 90% under the age of eight. This aligns with our earlier research showing that the average age of diagnosis in public settings is 6.6 years.

From a practical perspective, our biggest concern about the profound autism category is the age threshold of eight years. Because most children are already assessed before age eight, introducing this category into assessment services would mean many families would need repeat assessments, placing additional strain on already stretched developmental services.

Talk with clinicians about supports for yourself as well, including respite care or family support groups

Second, modifications will be needed if this criteria is going to be used to inform funding decisions as it didn’t map perfectly on to level 3 support criteria.

On balance, however, our results suggest the profound autism category may provide a clear, measurable way to describe the needs of autistic people with the highest support requirements.

Every autistic child has individual strengths and needs. The term “profound autism” would need to be promoted with inclusive and supportive language, so as to not replace or diminish individual needs, but to help clinicians tailor supports and obtain additional resources when needed.

Including the category in future clinical guidelines, such as the national guideline for the assessment and diagnosis of autism , could help ensure governments, disability services and clinicians plan and deliver supports.

What can you do in the meantime?

If you’re concerned your child requires substantial support, here are some practical steps you can take to ensure their needs are recognised and addressed:

Explain your concerns

What is autism? How the term become too broad to have meaning any 

Not all clinicians have experience working with children with high support needs. Be as clear as possible about behaviours that affect your child’s safety or daily life, including self-injury, aggression or attempts to run away. These details, while difficult to share, help give a clearer picture of your child’s support needs.

It can also be a challenge to find and access clinicians with appropriate expertise. Another potential benefit of having a defined category is that it can better help families navigate care.

Ask about support for the whole family

Our studies show that many caregivers  want more support for themselves but don’t always ask. Talk with clinicians about supports for yourself as well, including respite care or family support groups.

Reach out

Coming together with other carers and families can reduce your own isolation and normalise many of the unique challenges you face. Connecting with like-minded people can provide a supportive, empathetic and empowering community.

Plan for safety

For children with high support needs, prioritise safety planning with your child’s care team. This can include strategies to reduce risks, as well as planning how best to support your child’s interactions with health, education and disability services.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Breast Cancer in Younger Women: Unique Challenges

When a woman feels a lump or a young mother notices an odd change in her breast, alarm sets in, not just from the possibility of cancer, but from uncertainty. Breast cancer is often believed as a disease that strikes later in life. Yet in India, more women under 50 are being diagnosed with breast cancer, many still in the prime of building families, careers, and dreams. These younger patients face challenges, older women may never imagine: fertility concerns, more aggressive disease types, and emotional strain. Here, we explore what makes breast cancer in younger women different and how families and caregivers can respond with awareness and hope.

Rising Incidence in Younger Women

Recent studies indicate that breast cancer among women under 50 makes up about 10–20 % of all breast cancer cases in India. Over the years, the rate of breast cancer has increased across age groups, but particularly among younger women. Some data suggest that over a quarter of Indian cases now occur in women aged 40 or younger.

This shift is notable because younger patients often present with more aggressive tumors and at an advanced stage. Their survival outlook may differ, especially when diagnosis is delayed or treatment is not tailored.

Biological and Clinical Differences

Breast cancer in younger women often behaves differently. Many of these cancers are high grade, less likely to express hormone receptors, or may be HER2-positive or triple-negative.

Another challenge: younger women usually have denser breast tissue, making imaging less sensitive. That can delay detection. Also, cancers in younger women are more prone to relapse and distant spread, even when treated aggressively. Recent studies show a troubling rise in breast cancer diagnoses among young Indian women, with some studies indicating that between 15% and 30% of all cases occur in women under 40.

Psycho-social and Emotional Challenges

A breast cancer diagnosis at a young age can feel deeply personal, it shakes one’s sense of identity and future. Questions about fertility, relationships, and self-image often surface alongside the fear of illness. The idea of undergoing chemotherapy or surgery while still planning a family or building a career adds another layer of emotional strain.

Many young women describe feeling alone in their experience, as few peers can truly relate. That’s why care must extend beyond medical treatment to include emotional and psychological support. Access to counseling, peer support groups, and fertility guidance can help them navigate this journey with strength and clarity. Involving family members, fostering open communication, and addressing mental health needs are just as vital as the treatment itself.

Treatment Considerations Unique to Younger Women

Treatment in younger women requires balancing cancer control and long-term quality of life. One critical issue is fertility preservation. Before chemotherapy or radiation, options like egg or embryo freezing, or ovarian suppression, are discussed.

Therapies may lean toward more aggressive regimens, combining surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation to match the disease’s intensity. Yet long-term side effects, cardiac risk, bone health, premature menopause, must be monitored.

Close follow-up over decades is needed. Younger patients may live for many years post-treatment, so survivorship care (cardio checks, metabolic health, bone density) must be part of the plan.

Awareness and Screening Challenges

Current breast cancer screening programs in India largely target older women, leaving many younger women outside regular monitoring. As a result, detection in younger patients often happens only after a noticeable lump or visible change appears.

Because younger women typically have denser breast tissue, mammograms can be less effective, making self-awareness even more critical. Recognizing early warning signs, such as a persistent lump, skin dimpling, nipple discharge, or unexplained swelling can lead to earlier intervention and better outcomes.

For women with a strong family history or known genetic risk, such as BRCA mutations, proactive steps like genetic counselling and advanced imaging (including MRI) can be invaluable. Empowering young women to know their risk and act early remains one of the strongest defences against late detection.

Support and Resources for Younger Women

Younger patients benefit from tailored survivorship programs, focusing on fertility, psychological resilience, sexual health, and career planning. Support groups connecting women of similar age make a difference.

Hospitals and NGOs, increasingly offer fertility counselling, peer mentorship, and psycho-social care for younger breast cancer patients. Caregivers and family must advocate for these resources. Education, on treatment options, side effect management, and long-term health is crucial.

Conclusion: Early Action Saves Lives and Futures

Breast cancer in younger women brings its own set of challenges, complex tumour biology, fertility concerns, emotional strain, and the need for lifelong follow-up. Yet, with awareness and timely intervention, these challenges can be met with strength and science. If a young woman notices any persistent change, be it a lump, nipple discharge, or skin dimpling, seeking prompt medical advice can make all the difference. Choosing early action means choosing life, choice, and dignity. Empowering young women with knowledge and access to expert care ensures that a diagnosis does not define their future—it redefines their courage.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Gut bacteria help regulate contraction and relaxation of colon muscles

Micro-organisms in the gut support healthy digestion by helping nerve cells within the intestine to regulate the contraction and relaxation of the muscle wall of the colon, according to new research from the Crick and Bern University.

The study, published in Nature, identified how the contraction and relaxation of muscles in the colon, which is regulated by nerve cells and is needed to push food along, is influenced by the bacteria resident in our gut. When such microbes are present, a specific gene called Ahr is activated in intestinal nerves, resulting in healthy contraction and relaxation of the colon (peristalsis). This relationship can be disrupted in cases of intestinal disorders, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

There is a clear link between the presence of microbes in the colon and the speed at which food moves through the system. If this relationship goes off-kilter it could cause considerable harm."    Yuuki Obata, lead author and postdoc in the Development and Homeostasis of the Nervous System Laboratory at the Crick

A healthy gut contains trillions of microorganisms which help the digestion of food and promote the fitness of gut tissues, such as the epithelial lining of the lumen and the vast collection of immune and nerve cells within the gut wall. The levels and types of microorganisms in the gut vary from person to person and are affected by diet and commonly used drugs, such as antibiotics, which often result in abnormal gut contractions. The work described in this paper helps us understand how nerve cells sense the microbes in the gut and how they could coordinate their function with other gut tissues.

"Disturbances of intestinal motility are extremely common and cause a lot of suffering in patients after surgical operations or in conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. This work provides a foundation to unravel why patients that are colonised with different groups of microbes are susceptible to these intestinal problems", explains Andrew Macpherson, Professor of Medicine and Director of Gastroenterology at the University Hospital of Bern.

"By drawing on different teams at the Crick and internationally with Bern University, we've combined expertise on the gut and how environmental signals from microbiota and diet are passed to cells, to gain understanding of how gut physiology and digestion are affected by these signals," says Brigitta Stockinger, co-lead author and group leader in the AhRimmunity Laboratory at the Crick.

"While it's been well-documented that the micro-organisms in our gut influence the function of many organs in our body, including the brain, there's less understanding about the role they play in maintaining the healthy functioning of the millions of nerve cells within digestive system itself. The work we describe here shows that AhR, a molecule which is very important for the function of immune and epithelial cells in the gut, is also used by intestinal nerve cells to sense the presence of microbes and regulate peristalsis, and in doing so, promote healthy digestion," says Vassilis Pachnis, co-lead author and group leader in the Development and Homeostasis of the Nervous System Laboratory at the Crick.

"In the future, the use of microbial products that change the activity of AhR in nerve cells could help us alleviate the consequences of abnormal gut peristalsis that is often associated with gastrointestinal diseases," continues Vassilis.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
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