# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Something went wrong, but don’t fret — let’s give it another shot.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Something went wrong, but don’t fret — let’s give it another shot.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Something went wrong, but don’t fret — let’s give it another shot.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Something went wrong, but don’t fret — let’s give it another shot.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Something went wrong, but don’t fret — let’s give it another shot.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Something went wrong, but don’t fret — let’s give it another shot.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Something went wrong, but don’t fret — let’s give it another shot.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Something went wrong, but don’t fret — let’s give it another shot.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When I was asked to shoot and direct a film about food poverty, I knew the team and I would be taking on a massive challenge.

As a society, we continue to stigmatise those who are struggling to stay above the poverty line, especially if they are collecting benefits or seeking financial support in any way. People are often made to feel like scroungers or a drain on society, so they travel in the shadows and try to remain unnoticed.

With every headline on the growth of food banks comes another on those who misuse them or play the system. Whilst there will always be those who are unscrupulous, the vast number of people we met on the ground in food banks and breakfast clubs across the country were adults and children just trying to exist in today's economic climate. They were proud members of society who had worked hard in their time. As can happen to anyone, life had simply dealt them a blow and they needed a helping hand.

The more time we spent on the ground the more we realised how challenging this film would be. Many people were so embarrassed that they had to ask for food that there was no way they would go on national television.

By making 'Breadline Kids' through the eyes of the children, we were able to uncover a tough subject through a section of society that rarely gets to express itself publicly.

But this brings its own issues and complexities, as a duty of care towards the children is paramount. There is always a fine balance between short-term crisis, and neglect.

With the vast majority of families we met it became immediately apparent how often parents were actually forced to neglect themselves - going without food rather than letting their kids go hungry.

In Haverhill Niomi spoke of the sacrifices her father made for her, often eating only one meal a day. For Tom it was clear, his kids came first, even if it meant swallowing his pride and heading to the REACH Resource Centre to ask for petrol money and food. One thing that was evident in all the households was how close the families were. This period of adversity had certainly brought them all together. Fighting Cancer is a tough battle in its own right let alone struggling for food and heat at the same time.

We knew early on that this was a film about hard choices: do I put food on the table or do I heat the room? Do I put food on the table or do I have electricity? (The irony here being that for many the electricity was what they needed to cook the food they could not afford to buy.)

For Cara and her Granny Lucy, life was a weekly game of juggling what little money they could bring in. Buying food to sell food to buy food was certainly a different way to fix food poverty but at least it worked for Lucy, though it did not really bring in enough to change their life, just a little relief for a day or two. I caught up with Cara post filming to get some still photos and she was her ever bubbly self, full of self confidence and belief but still relying on the electric running off the emergency.

Before we even set about finding children, we drew up an extensive protocol on how we would operate with the children's best interests in mind - something we had experience of from previous films we'd made about vulnerable children in British society.

I guess the true test of how well we succeeded has been measured by the children's reactions to the film and whether they see it as an accurate representation of their lives, and they seem to.

In fact, in Hull Rosie was well chuffed at how eloquent her sister Becky was and Becky just kept saying how sad she was for Niomi and how beautiful she was. I felt so touched to witness that moment of compassion. Even with the struggles they were going through their thoughts were just for the other kids.

This compassion could also be seen during our time in breakfast clubs and food banks. The cups of tea and friendly chat that Henry and his colleagues at the REACH Centre offer the people of Haverhill is almost as important to people as the food and financial support they offer. Something we witnessed in many of the food banks run by the Trussell Trust and independent organisations.

But the published figures may well be just the tip of the iceberg. Magic Breakfast helped us to access schools where we witnessed so many Heads and teachers going above the call of duty and in some cases personally supporting the kids themselves. There really is a vast tract of people in need of help who are not recognised in these official statistics.

In Hull the breakfast club run by Youth for Christ has become a social hub. As Anna the manager said, "Rather than people becoming dependent on it they actually become interdependent".

The breakfast club is open to all, a community hub then forms whereby people mix and chat and suddenly people are helping people and a community spirit flourishes.

The community garden that Rosie and Becky work in is a spin off from the breakfast club and helps teach those in the community not only about healthy eating but also reinforces pride in themselves and pride in what they can achieve.

The team and I feel very privileged to have been invited into these families' lives and have met some truly remarkable and inspiring kids who give us hope for the future.

As Cara said, "It is going to be tough" but the hopes and dreams still live on... for now.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When I was asked to shoot and direct a film about food poverty, I knew the team and I would be taking on a massive challenge. As a society, we continue to stigmatise those who are struggling to stay above the poverty line, especially if they are collecting benefits or seeking financial support in any way.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Scientists have developed a blood and urine test that can detect autism in children.

Researchers at the University of Warwick said the test, believed to be the first of its kind, could lead to earlier diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children who could then be given appropriate treatment much earlier in their lives.

ASDs mainly affect a person's social interaction and communication, with symptoms that can include speech disturbances, repetitive and/or compulsive behaviour, hyperactivity, anxiety, and difficulty adapting to new environments.

As there is a wide range of ASD symptoms, diagnosis can be difficult and uncertain, particularly at the early stages of development.

It is estimated that around one in every 100 people in the UK has ASD, with more boys diagnosed with the condition than girls.

Scientists said their research found a link between ASD and damage to proteins in blood plasma.

They found the most reliable of the tests they developed was examining protein in blood plasma, which found children with ASD had higher levels of the oxidation marker dityrosine (DT) and certain sugar-modified compounds called advanced glycation end products (AGEs).

Genetic causes are thought to be responsible for around a third of cases of ASD, while the rest are believed to be caused by a combination of environmental factors, mutations, and rare genetic variants.

But researchers believe their new tests could reveal yet to be identified causes of ASD.

They also confirmed the previously held belief that mutations of amino acid transporters are a genetic variant associated with ASD.

The Warwick team worked with collaborators at the University of Bologna in Italy, who recruited 38 children who were diagnosed with ASD along with a control group of 31 other children between the ages of five and 12. Blood and urine samples were taken from the children for analysis.

The team discovered there were chemical differences between the two groups. Working with a further collaborator at the University of Birmingham, the changes in multiple compounds were combined together using artificial intelligence algorithm techniques to develop a mathematical equation to distinguish between ASD and healthy controls. The outcome was a diagnostic test better than any method currently available.

They said the next steps are to repeat the study with further groups of children to confirm the good diagnostic performance and to assess if the test can identify ASD at very early stages, indicate how the ASD is likely to develop further to more severe disease and assess if treatments are working.

The research was led by Dr Naila Rabbani, reader of experimental systems biology at the University of Warwick, who said: "Our discovery could lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention.

"We hope the tests will also reveal new causative factors.

"With further testing we may reveal specific plasma and urinary profiles or 'fingerprints' of compounds with damaging modifications. This may help us improve the diagnosis of ASD and point the way to new causes of ASD."

The research has been published in the journal Molecular Autism.
Press Association
Reuse content

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
New blood test can detect autism in children

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Scientists have developed a blood and urine test that can detect autism in children. Researchers at the University of Warwick said the test, believed to be the first of its kind, could lead to earlier diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children who could then be given appropriate treatment much earlier in their lives.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Information about our use of cookies

Our website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users and enhance your user experience. They also help us improve our site. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

Learn more OK, I agree

Money from every clothing sale goes directly to support our work changing lives through books and reading.
See the range

World Book Day® is a charity sponsored by National Book Tokens.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Our website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users and enhance your user experience. They also help us improve our site. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn more OK, I agree Money from every clothing sale goes directly to support our work changing lives through books and reading.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Tes - Education Jobs, Teaching Resources, School Software & Magazine

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Tes is dedicated to supporting the world's teachers. Our mission is to enable great teaching by helping educators to find the tools and technology they need to excel and by supporting them throughout their career and professional development.