Autism

The firm whose staff are all autistic

On first inspection it seems like any other Los Angeles-based company, with tasteful art on the white walls and calm-inducing diffusers dotted about.

Peter describes the working atmosphere as "quiet, but fun", and especially likes the fact that there is no pressure to socialise, while Evan says of his employers that they are "very accommodating and understanding". Brian describes his office as "unique".

Auticon is one of only a handful of companies that cater exclusively for employees who are on the autistic spectrum.

Autism study shows benefits when parents get involved

Some parents find it difficult or even impossible to communicate with their own children or understand how they perceive the world around them. This mental condition can also affect their child's ability to interact socially or show emotion, and often create a desire for repetitive behaviors.

An autistic boy who can't be touched has connected with a service dog

Five-year-old Kainoa Niehaus travelled to the 4 Paws For Ability centre in Ohio from Japan after two years of waiting for an animal to become available.

His mum Shanna shared a photo of her son resting his head on Tornado.

"See this moment? I've never experienced a moment like this," she wrote underneath the post.

"This picture captures the face of a mother who saw her child, who she can't hug, wash, dress, snuggle and touch freely lay on his new service dog of his own free will, with a purposeful, unspoken attachment.

Singapore PM's wife chooses $11 pouch for state visit

Priced at just $11 (£8), the pouch was designed by a Singaporean student at Pathlight, the country's first autism-focused school.

PM Lee Hsien Loong and Ms Ho have been in Washington since Monday.

Initially, Ms Ho's choice of accessories was met with some criticism online.

But, once it was discovered to have been designed by 19-year-old Seetoh Sheng Jie of Pathlight, sales of the pouch jumped.

The school typically sells 200 pouches in four months, but sold 200 within a day after images of Ms Ho were shared widely, the school told the BBC.