Autistic children at greater risk of going missing, charity warns

"A leading charity and senior psychologists have warned that autistic children may face heightened risks when they go missing in a hidden crisis that requires urgent national attention. Missing People, the UK's only charity dedicated to reconnecting people with their loved ones, said concerns have been raised across the charity sector that neurodivergent children could be in greater danger of disappearing, and are more at risk of harm like exploitation while they are missing."

"Yet despite mounting evidence from frontline services, the charity says there is still a stark lack of formal research. Early indications suggest the scale of the issue could be far greater than records currently capture, leaving many autistic children without the specialist support they need. As a result, Missing People is calling for tailored interventions to prevent young people from slipping through the gaps."

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The Independent emphasizes on-the-ground reporting across major issues and offers free access to journalism funded by donations. Missing People and senior psychologists warn that autistic and neurodivergent children may face heightened risks when they go missing, including exploitation. Frontline services provide mounting evidence but formal research remains starkly lacking. Early indications suggest the scale of disappearances and associated risks could be far greater than current records capture, leaving many autistic children without specialist support. Missing People calls for tailored interventions and urgent national attention to prevent young people slipping through gaps and to protect them during acute crises.

Read at www.independent.co.uk