Autism Matters is a series of podcasts on the latest research in the field of ASD recently published in Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. The series is hosted by Dr Laura Crane from Goldsmiths, University of London and includes a discussion of crime and the criminal justice system for people with autism led by Richard Mills, Director of Research at the National Autistic Society. All podcasts are aimed at a broad audience, including academics, researchers, journalists, people with ASD and their families, and anyone interested in the field.

BBC Radio 4 have broadcasted a month-long series of programmes and features on autism attempting to separate facts from theory, and to find out what is available to help people with ASD and their families. Examples of themes covered by the series include research into the causes of autism and various interventions. You will also find an interview with Nick Hornby, author of bestselling novels including About A Boy, High Fidelity and A Long Way Down, and his former wife Virginia Bovell discussing raising their son with ASD. In another podcast Professor Ian Stuart Hamilton explains why he came to write Asperger’s Dictionary, listing phrases that most people recognise as similes or metaphors and which are often taken literally by people with ASD.

All podcasts from the series can be found here.

This Guardian podcast presents Ian Sample’s interview with the director of the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University, Simon Baron-Cohen, about his new book Zero Degrees of Empathy: A New Theory of Human Cruelty. Baron-Cohen has developed a test that he uses to assess people’s ability to empathise with others. In this interview he discusses the concepts of evil and empathy. You can listen to an extended version of the interview here.

“Autism Radio™ is a Non Profit Organization that is committed to making a difference in the Autism Community. Our Mission is to improve the lives of the individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their friends and families, who struggle to understand, treat, care for, and help find a cure for their loved one.

Autism Radio™ is dedicated to raising public awareness about Autism, and helping individuals, families, and society cope with struggles of this disorder. Our mission is to raise funds and distribute them to families in need who are dealing with the Autism Spectrum Disorder. We are committed to raising the funds necessary to support these goals.

Hope Saves The Day™ is a multimedia interactive open forum dealing with Autism broadcasted internationally. We intend to provide information to the public about autism and related topics and provide an interactive network for the community. We are an unbiased weekly broadcast that is published on the internet.”

AutismOne Radio, Autism Radio and Autism Radio UK are all autism-specific radio stations which focus on a wide range of topics and interest areas in the field of ASD. All radio stations aim to bring down the social barriers faced by many people with ASD and address common problems and questions in the community of ASD. You can listen to the most recent podcasts on their websites by clinking on the links below:

AutismOne Radio

Autism Radio

Autism Radio UK

Democracy Live is an interactive BBC resource which allows you to search, find and watch the politics that affect you. You are able to find a representative or topic, or words spoken in video coverage. Recent video casts include Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer - Sir Harry Burns reporting on health inequalities across Scotland to the Public Audit Committee. To view click here.