Neurotypicality: Has It Lost Its Meaning and Is It Leading to Misclassification?
By The ION Global Team
Professor Uta Frith’s recent comments on the breadth of the autism spectrum, and her suggestion that Chris Packham “cannot be autistic”, have opened an important debate about how autism is defined, and who gets to define it. ION believes these questions deserve serious scientific examination, but that the scrutiny must run in both directions. If autistic people are considered too heterogeneous for autism to remain a meaningful category, what do we really know about the supposedly “neurotypical” population against which they are compared? How heterogeneous is that population, and has science sufficiently examined the assumptions behind the idea of a neurological norm? Our new paper, “Neurotypicality: Has It Lost Its Meaning and Is It Leading to Misclassification?”, turns the research lens around and asks whether science has relied for too long on an assumed neurologically homogeneous human norm that has never itself been adequately demonstrated.
Perhaps it is time not only to study autism differently, but to study neurotypicality too.
When One of the World’s Oldest Institutions Changes
By Charlotte Valeur, Chair and Founder of ION
For an institution shaped by almost 1,400 years of tradition, the Church of England’s recognition of neurodiversity marks a significant shift towards greater acceptance and inclusion.
In this article, Professor Charlotte Valeur, Founder and Chair of ION, explores why this change matters and what other organisations can learn from it.
More Than a Fist Bump: Carrying Neurodiversity and Inclusion with Pride at NDP61
By Warren Sheldon Humphries, Strategic Advisor, Institute of Neurodiversity, Singapore
In this personal article, Warren Sheldon Humphries, Strategic Advisor at ION Singapore, reflects on proudly representing neurodiversity at Singapore’s National Day Parade 2026 and how moments of visibility on a national stage can help build greater awareness, acceptance and belonging for neurominorities across Singapore.
Cross-cultural Neuroinclusion: What a Professional Placement in Singapore Taught me About What We're Not Talking About
By Liani Baylis, Managing Director and Principal Consultant at The Spiky Profile
Following a professional placement with ION Singapore, Liani Baylis reflects on why neuroinclusion cannot be approached through a one-size-fits-all lens. Drawing on her experiences in on placement with ION Singapore, she explores how culture, history and societal expectations shape attitudes towards neurodivergence — and why truly inclusive practice must understand and respond to local context.
Written by award-winning author & ION India Member, Aditi Sowmyanarayan & Published by Bookosmia
A captivating contemporary novel about dreams, friendship, family and self-discovery. Written by award-winning author Aditi Sowmyanarayan and published by Bookosmia, Feet on the Ground, Head in the Air follows Sakthi and Karthik as their lives unexpectedly intertwine. A heartfelt and uplifting story about relationships, personal growth and the courage to pursue your dreams. Order your copy from Amazon.
How can Mental Healthcare Better Meet the Needs of Autistic People?
A New research piece by Mary Doughty et all,, featured in Science Direct
This important new study brings together the perspectives of autistic psychiatrists, highlighting the value of lived experience alongside clinical expertise in understanding where current systems fall short and how care can improve.
Kim Shah, ION Canada Lead, contributed to the discussion which is helping to bring greater attention to the need for neurodiversity-affirming healthcare and for autistic voices to play a meaningful role in shaping the services designed to support them.
We look forward to seeing you at the next ION Chat on
Friday, 4 September 2026, 10:30am - 11:30am BST
Discover a virtual space where you can talk about what matters to you, hear from others, share your experiences, and connect on a deeper level. Register now to join us and become an ION individual member.
Driving sustainable change across Singapore and Asia
On 2 September 2026, the 18th UN Global Compact Network Singapore (UNGCNS) Summit will bring together business leaders, changemakers and innovators to turn sustainability commitments into measurable action.
Join the ION Singapore Team at one of Singapore’s leading corporate sustainability events, this year’s Summit will explore some of the region’s most pressing priorities, from sustainable finance and ESG accountability to inequality, nature-positive cities and the role of AI in sustainable growth. Through expert discussions, practical workshops and cross-sector collaboration, the Summit aims to equip organisations with the insights, connections and tools to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and beyond 2030.
