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E-Newsletter • April 2026 |
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Editor's E-Note
In April we observe Autism Acceptance Month, promoting not just autism awareness but also acceptance, advocacy, and action. This newsletter highlights the delay in autism diagnoses for girls compared with boys, as well as some of the tools being developed to help children with autism, such as social robots and suicide prevention interventions.
We welcome your comments at SWTeditor@gvpub.com. Visit our website at www.SocialWorkToday.com, like our Facebook page, and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter.
— Heather Hogstrom, editor |
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Rates of Autism in Girls and Boys May Be More Equal Than Previously Thought
Study raises questions around why female individuals are diagnosed later than males
Autism has long been viewed as a condition that predominantly affects male individuals, but a study from Sweden published by The BMJ shows that autism may actually occur at comparable rates among male and female individuals.
The results show a clear female catch-up effect during adolescence, which the researchers say highlights the need to investigate why female individuals receive diagnoses later than male individuals.
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder has increased over the past three decades, with a high male-to-female diagnosis ratio of around 4:1.
The increase in prevalence is thought to be linked to factors including wider diagnostic criteria and societal changes (eg, parental age), whilst the high male to female ratio has been attributed to better social and communication skills among girls, making autism more difficult to spot. However, so far, no large study has examined these trends over the life course.
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Robot-Assisted Therapy Beneficial for Children With Autism
A study published in Science Robotics evaluated the effectiveness of social robots in therapy for young children with autism, reports Medical Xpress.
New Trial Tests Suicide Prevention Tool for Autistic Youth
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have launched a clinical trial that tests a suicide prevention tool designed for autistic youth, tailored to how they communicate and experience emotion, to make suicide safety planning more effective. |
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: A Guide for Hospice Clinicians
Hospice Foundation of America has published Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: A Guide for Hospice Clinicians, edited by Kenneth J. Doka and Amy S. Tucci. The book examines best practices around end-of-life care for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and offers practical approaches to delivering compassionate, person-centered end-of-life care to individuals with dementia and their loved ones. Learn more »
Forever a Foster Child: A Memoir of Resilience
Author Cynthia Goble announces her debut memoir, Forever a Foster Child: A Memoir of Resilience, released just ahead of National Foster Care Month in May. The book provides a lived-experience voice that broadens the national understanding of foster care, insight into the adult outcomes of early instability and displacement, a strengths-based narrative of resilience and reinvention, and a bridge between professional leadership and child welfare advocacy. Learn more » |
The nation's top employers and recruiters of social workers advertise in Social Work Today magazine and post their job openings on AHCJobBoard.com. Check out the most recent opportunities that have been submitted by employers across the country!
Featured Employer
Defense Health Agency
Clinical Social Worker
Irwin Army Community Hospital, Fort Riley, KS
Social Worker (Mental Health Consultant)
Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA
Social Worker (Mental Health Consultant)
Malmstrom Air Force Base, Cascade County, MT
Clinical Psychologist
Fort Drum, Jefferson County, NY
Clinical Psychologist (Mental Health Consultant)
Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane, WA |
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COVER STORY
When Virtual Worlds Meet Real-World Practice
Immersive technology is revolutionizing social work education, allowing students to practice high-stakes scenarios without risking real-world consequences.
FEATURE
In Case of Detention
Whether they work in immigration services or other sectors, social workers should be prepared to support clients concerned about the possibility of detention and deportation.
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