Plovm Weekly: Transit Autism Support & RFK's Wild Claims
Language options now live + meditation tools coming soon. Plus: autism transit experiences and controversial research claims
Hello Plovm Community,
This week brings significant developments in neurodivergent support, from transit accessibility improvements to controversial research claims. We've also included key global updates and exciting Plovm platform news.
🚀 Plovm Platform Updates
Multi-Language Support Now Live: You can now change your language settings in Profile > Edit Profile! Available languages include Spanish, Norwegian, German, Italian, and French, with more coming soon.
Coming Soon to QuestVille: Meditation Guru tools are launching next week to help with mindfulness and stress management. Stay tuned!
Neurodiversity & Autism Support
Making Transit Accessible: Autism Experiences on Public Transport
TransLink Podcast | July 4, 2025
Transit advocate Kayla Tellier shares insights on autism and public transportation challenges in TransLink's latest podcast. She explains how sensory overload requires decompression time after rides and discusses the need for understanding around "stimming" and invisible disabilities. Kayla's experiences highlight why transit riders need empathy for neurodivergent passengers who may appear "different" but are simply managing overwhelming environments.
Listen to Full Podcast
🔬 CONTROVERSIAL: RFK Jr. Claims Autism "Epidemic" Cause Will Be Known by September
RFK Jr. Sets September Timeline for Autism Research Claims
HuffPost | July 4, 2025
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared that "by September we will know what has caused the autism epidemic," setting a five-month timeline for research that has spanned decades globally. Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, tapped fellow skeptic David Geier to oversee the analysis. Medical experts attribute autism rate increases to improved diagnostics, broadened definitions, and increased awareness rather than external causes.
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Navigating Life After Adult Autism and ADHD Diagnosis
The Guardian | July 4, 2025
An advice column explores the complex emotions after receiving an adult autism and ADHD diagnosis. The writer describes feeling both understood and isolated after learning their experiences aren't universal. Expert advice suggests embracing the "otherness" while recognizing that connection doesn't require similarity - we can feel reverence for differences rather than seeking sameness.
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Global Developments
Moldova's EU Future Hangs in Balance Ahead of Key Election
Reuters | July 5, 2025
President Maia Sandu said Moldovans "hold in their own hands" their country's EU membership bid ahead of September elections. The first Moldova-EU summit announced €270 million in economic support and eliminated roaming charges for Moldovan communications in EU countries. Sandu's pro-European party faces challenges from pro-Russian Socialist opposition.
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Trump Speaks with Zelenskyy After "Disappointing" Putin Call
POLITICO | July 4, 2025
President Trump held what Zelenskyy described as a "very important and fruitful conversation" after expressing disappointment with Putin, saying he was "not happy" and that Putin doesn't appear "looking to stop" the war. The call came as the U.S. paused weapons shipments to Ukraine, citing concerns about stockpile levels.
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Innovation & Technology
Israeli Quantum Startup Qedma Raises $26M with IBM Investment
TechCrunch | July 3, 2025
Quantum error-mitigation specialist Qedma secured $26 million in Series A funding, with IBM joining as both investor and partner. The startup's QESEM software enables quantum circuits up to 1,000 times larger to run accurately on current hardware. Founded by "quantum royalty" Professor Dorit Aharonov, Qedma claims it could demonstrate quantum advantage within this year.
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World's cartoonists on this week's events
POLITICO | Jul 5, 2025
