LONDON – A consortium of neurodevelopmental specialists, funded by a grant from the now-defunct Department for Health and Social Care, has concluded that the public's understanding and acceptance of autism is unlikely to significantly improve for at least another 64 years, according to projections released this morning. The pessimistic forecast, published in the journal *Neurodiversity Today*, attributes the stagnation to a confluence of factors including chronic underfunding of research, pervasive misinformation campaigns orchestrated by anti-vax groups, and the enduring stigma surrounding neurodevelopmental differences within the British education system.

Professor Eleanor Vance, lead author of the study and a senior lecturer in neurodiversity studies at the University of East Anglia, stated, "Our models, which incorporate variables such as projected government spending on autism services, the rate of debunked 'autism cure' claims circulating on social media, and the percentage of teachers receiving adequate training in neurodiversity, paint a rather bleak picture. We predict a slight uptick in awareness following the 2032 Paralympics, but this effect will be negligible in the long term."

The report also highlights the disproportionate impact of austerity measures on autism support services. A Freedom of Information request revealed that local councils across the UK have slashed funding for autism-specific interventions by an average of 72% since 2020, leading to longer waiting lists for diagnosis and reduced access to crucial therapies. This has resulted in a surge in 'autism parents' seeking unproven and potentially harmful treatments online, further perpetuating the cycle of misinformation and fear.

Further dampening prospects for widespread acceptance is the continued dominance of outdated and pathologising narratives in mainstream media. While superficial attempts at representation have increased, the report notes that characters on popular television shows still overwhelmingly portray autistic individuals as either savant geniuses or emotionally stunted burdens on their families. This narrow and inaccurate portrayal reinforces negative stereotypes and hinders genuine understanding.

### What They Don't Want You To Know
Behind the veneer of 'autism awareness' weeks and corporate rainbow-washing, lies a systematic failure to address the root causes of autistic individuals' marginalisation. Real progress requires dismantling the structural barriers that prevent autistic people from accessing education, employment, and healthcare, not just performative gestures of inclusion.

In closing, as Professor Vance put it, "We're nowhere near the end of the 'autism panic'. In fact, we are only at the beginning of the beginning, and if this beginning involves so many misconceptions, then it suggests the middle and the end will be even worse, even with a few puzzle pieces thrown here and there for good measure."