#Inclusion

Boston University’s bold experiment to reverse the longstanding gender gap in computer and data science is defying national trends, according to a recent feature by the university (Boston University). While women comprise about half the workforce in the United States, they remain woefully underrepresented in the booming fields of technology and data: barely 15-20% of professionals in data science are women, and women-led start-ups and founding teams are even scarcer.

A groundbreaking study has shed new light on the profound challenges faced by autistic adults as they navigate the often-overwhelming maze of non-verbal social cues, calling attention to a daily reality that remains poorly understood by much of society. The research, published in PLOS ONE and conducted by a neurodiverse team from the University of Portsmouth and international collaborators, found that decoding facial expressions, gestures, tone of voice, and eye contact can feel like “just too much going on” for many adults on the autism spectrum, leading to misunderstandings, social anxiety, and a reduced quality of life (medicalxpress.com).

A growing body of research and clinical observation suggests that adult ADHD diagnosis is becoming increasingly inclusive – and contrary to common fears, it is not being overdiagnosed. As reported in a recent essay by a US clinical psychologist published on Aeon (aeon.co), the COVID-19 pandemic, rising mental health awareness, and shifts in diagnostic frameworks have all contributed to sharp increases in adult ADHD diagnoses worldwide, with profound implications for healthcare systems, patients, and policymakers, including those in Thailand.

The personal experience recounted in a recent Salt Lake Tribune opinion piece—of an individual forced to sever ties with conservative, immigrant parents after coming out as LGBTQ+—is not only poignant but also, sadly, emblematic of a wider pattern documented by international and Thai research. As dialogue around LGBTQ+ acceptance grows more visible in public and family spheres, scientists are compiling evidence that family rejection sharply increases mental health risks, but that targeted interventions and rising social support can, over time, help break cycles of alienation and trauma.

A growing body of research and personal testimony is beginning to reveal a silent epidemic facing families across the globe: the complex emotional burden shouldered by parents of neurodivergent children. As explored in a recent Psychology Today article, many parents struggle with feelings of guilt, exhaustion, and isolation—but these feelings are all too often hidden behind a facade of resilience. Recognizing and addressing the needs of these families is increasingly acknowledged as a crucial, yet often overlooked, part of supporting neurodivergent individuals themselves.

A groundbreaking psychology study published in the Journal of Research in Personality has uncovered that people around the world—including potentially in Thailand—tend to make strong, consistent judgments about a person’s personality based solely on their tattoos, but these assessments are usually inaccurate. Only tattoos judged to be particularly “wacky” or unusual line up, to a modest degree, with reality: such tattoos are linked with higher openness to new experiences, according to the researchers (PsyPost).

Autism, once viewed erroneously as a childhood condition one might “grow out of,” is now increasingly recognised by experts and advocates as a lifelong spectrum of experiences—redefining the way societies around the globe, including Thailand, must support autistic people of all ages. Recent research and evolving perspectives highlight the necessity of updating public understanding and support systems to reflect the authentic experiences of those on the autism spectrum, urging a move well beyond exclusively child-focused interventions (Psychology Today).

Parents and carers of children with autism face daily challenges that stretch far beyond what most families experience, according to recent international research and expert commentary. With stress levels often higher than those seen in parents of children with other disabilities, families are struggling to cope amid emotional, physical, and logistical demands—frequently without the support systems they desperately need (The Conversation, Medical Xpress). For Thailand, where the public conversation around autism is still evolving, the findings call for urgent reflection on how caregivers are being served and supported.

A sweeping new meta-analysis has revealed that individuals with mental or neurodevelopmental disorders are about 1.5 times more likely to exhibit non-right-handedness — meaning left-handedness or mixed-handedness — than the general population, sharpening the focus on how biological factors may intersect with mental health. Published in the prestigious journal Psychological Bulletin, the study synthesizes an unprecedented dataset drawn from over 202,000 people and provides fresh insights into the subtle ways brain development may be linked to mental health risk (psypost.org).

A recent article in Psychology Today challenges widespread assumptions about what it means to be “neurotypical,” sparking renewed conversation about diversity, inclusion, and the way Thai society identifies and supports individuals with different neurological profiles. The piece, written by a clinical psychology expert, questions the utility of binary labels like “neurotypical” and “neurodivergent,” and urges for a broader understanding of human experience centered on individual control, preferences, and agency (Psychology Today).

A growing body of research and personal testimony is highlighting the profound impact that uninformed reactions can have when someone discloses their autism, calling for greater sensitivity and awareness, especially as autism diagnoses rise globally and in Thailand. A recent article in Psychology Today titled “Three Things Neurotypicals Should Know About Autism,” published on May 14, 2025, distills key insights from autistic communities that reveal why common but misguided responses can deeply harm relationships and well-being for those on the spectrum (Psychology Today).

Thailand, like many countries worldwide, is witnessing increased public concern as reported cases of autism rise steeply each year. However, recent research and leading international experts contend that this apparent surge in autism diagnoses may not reflect a true rise in the prevalence of autism itself, but rather the product of social, medical, and diagnostic transformations over recent decades (BBC).

The significance of understanding these trends cannot be understated for Thai parents, educators, and healthcare professionals. Against a backdrop of growing public discussion and sometimes anxiety over neurodevelopmental disorders, clear and accurate information about autism spectrum disorder (ASD)—its causes, diagnosis, and support—remains critical for societal awareness, policy planning, and resource allocation.

A wave of educational innovation is breaking down barriers to computer science, making coding more accessible to both students and teachers globally, with direct relevance to Thailand’s evolving education landscape. At the 2025 Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) in Orlando, experts highlighted the impact of block-based programming tools and a shift in teaching philosophy that could help close Thailand’s digital divide and inspire the next generation of coders.

Across the world, computer science is increasingly recognized as a core future skill. However, many Thai students face steep entry barriers: English-based coding languages, lack of resources, and a shortage of trained teachers. These challenges mirror wider global concerns, but new research and classroom strategies suggest a promising path forward. Block-based programming—where users snap together visual code blocks to build programs—eliminates the intimidating syntax of traditional text-based coding. According to the director of computer science education at VEX Robotics, block-based languages support learning in students’ native tongues and reduce linguistic obstacles: “When you do traditional text-based programming like Pascal, C++, or Python, you’re essentially programming in English, but with block-based programming, you can do it with Chinese, Spanish, Arabic or your native language. It reduces a barrier for them to just get their steps in and say, ‘Hey, I’m able to program’” (PBS NewsHour Classroom).

A recent research investigation has uncovered that individuals with narcissistic personality traits are significantly more likely to perceive themselves as excluded in social situations and to misread the cues of those around them. These findings, highlighted in a report published by PsyPost, shed new light on the challenges faced by narcissistic individuals in forming and maintaining interpersonal relationships, with meaningful implications for modern Thai society as it navigates increasing social complexity and mental health awareness.

MIT’s McGovern Institute for Brain Research is accelerating our understanding of the human brain and using that knowledge to drive innovations that improve lives worldwide. According to a recent feature published on the MIT News site, the McGovern Institute has become a beacon for cutting-edge neuroscience, uniting top researchers in pursuit of answers to questions that affect not only scientific communities, but also real-world health and education challenges facing societies, including those in Thailand. The Institute’s latest projects point to new pathways for treating psychiatric disorders, transforming special education, and empowering community health systems—developments highly relevant for policymakers, clinicians, and educators across Southeast Asia.

A groundbreaking new study has revealed that extremes in brain synchrony—either too much or too little—may underlie distinct subtypes of autism, offering Thai families, educators, and clinicians fresh hope for more tailored approaches to diagnosis and support. Published on 17 April 2025 in The Transmitter, the research used advanced brain imaging across twenty mouse models genetically engineered to mimic autism, with remarkable implications for understanding the diversity—or heterogeneity—of the autism spectrum in humans (The Transmitter, 2025).