Imagine a parent sitting at the kitchen table late at night, phone in hand, trying to figure out why their child is struggling in school. They type a few symptoms into a search engine and are immediately flooded with contradictory videos, alarming headlines, and confident strangers offering quick answers. Some say medication is dangerous, others say it’s the only hope. Some insist the child just needs more discipline; others say they need a specialized diagnosis. The more they scroll, the more confused and anxious they become. This is the everyday reality of navigating neurodivergence in the digital age, and it is exactly the problem that Understood.org is determined to solve. On September 23, 2026, at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting in New York, the nonprofit announced a powerful new Commitment to Action: to fight misinformation about ADHD, dyslexia, autism, and other forms of neurodivergence by expanding Understood News, its in-house newsroom and content studio. The timing could not be more urgent. In 2026 alone, Understood News has already guided more than 140,000 people to expert-vetted, science-backed information, a sign that families are desperate for clarity. But with misinformation spreading faster than ever, the organization is making a bold promise to do more, reaching not just those 140,000 people but millions more who need a trusted voice in a very noisy world.
At the heart of this commitment is a simple but radical idea: trustworthy information should not be a luxury. Understood News is not a typical content platform or a blog with opinions. It is a dedicated newsroom that brings together rigorous journalism, evidence-based research, and the real-world expertise of Understood’s Expert Network, a diverse group of clinicians, researchers, educators, and advocates who understand neurodivergence from both professional and personal perspectives. This combination matters because it allows Understood News to do something rare: translate the latest studies and headlines into practical, honest guidance that families can actually use, without bias and without fear-mongering. When a new study about ADHD makes headlines, Understood News doesn’t just repeat the press release. It investigates, checks the methodology, consults experts, and explains what the findings really mean for a parent sitting in a pediatrician’s office. When social media explodes with a viral claim about autism or dyslexia, Understood News responds with context, nuance, and facts. As Nathan Friedman, co-president of Understood.org, put it, “Misinformation is one of the most dangerous challenges of our generation. We’re especially alarmed at the rise of false and misleading information about neurodivergence. Through our commitment and the support of the Clinton Global Initiative, we will expand Understood News efforts so we can equip more families and creators with science-backed, unbiased information.” This is not just about debunking myths; it’s about creating a new standard for how neurodivergence is discussed in public, one that respects the intelligence of families and the dignity of people with ADHD, dyslexia, and other conditions.
The scale of the misinformation problem cannot be overstated, and it is particularly dangerous for the neurodivergent community. Research suggests that people with neurodivergent traits may be more susceptible to false information, partly because they often experience the world in ways that make them more open to alternative explanations and partly because they are frequently underserved by traditional healthcare systems. Social media has made the problem dramatically worse. On TikTok, for example, studies show that 52% of videos about ADHD and 41% of videos about autism contain misleading content. These are not harmless misunderstandings; they are videos viewed by millions, many of them parents who are already scared, exhausted, and unsure where to turn. The creators of these videos often have good intentions. They may be sharing personal stories or offering tips they genuinely believe are helpful. But without fact-checking, without medical review, and without context, their words can distort public understanding in ways that lead to missed diagnoses, delayed treatments, and dangerous decisions. A parent might see a video claiming that a child will “grow out of” dyslexia, or that ADHD is just a lack of discipline, or that certain unproven diets can “cure” autism. These false narratives take root quickly, especially when they are repeated by influencers who feel relatable and trustworthy. Understood.org highlighted this issue during the “Building Trust With Creators” session at the CGI Annual Meeting, acknowledging that the solution is not to silence creators but to partner with them, to give them better tools and accurate information so that their reach can be used for good rather than harm.
The expansion of Understood News will focus on several critical issue areas where misinformation is especially pervasive and damaging. One of the most pressing is ADHD diagnosis trends. With rising awareness of ADHD, more children and adults are seeking evaluations, but the internet is full of contradictory claims about overdiagnosis, underdiagnosis, and the legitimacy of the condition itself. Another area is medication access. Families face shortages, stigma, and confusion about stimulant medications, and they desperately need clear, balanced information about risks and benefits. Vaccines are another battleground, as debunked theories continue to circulate and cause parents to delay or skip immunizations, putting not just their own children but entire communities at risk. Mental health and suicidality are also urgent concerns; for neurodivergent young people, the rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts are alarmingly high, and misinformation in this space can be literally life-threatening. Finally, Understood News will focus on support for neurodivergent women and girls, who have historically been overlooked because they often present differently than boys and are more likely to mask their struggles. These are not abstract policy issues. They are daily battles for families trying to make the right choices. A mother of a young girl with ADHD needs to know that her daughter’s inattentiveness is not laziness. A college student with dyslexia needs accurate information about accommodations. A father trying to decide about medication needs to weigh evidence, not fear. By prioritizing these areas, Understood News is stepping into the places where uncertainty is greatest and the need for trustworthy guidance is most profound.
Understood.org knows that it cannot solve this problem alone, and that is why the organization is building a broad coalition of partners who share its commitment to truth. At the CGI Annual Meeting, Understood announced collaborations with trusted creators, local media outlets, and respected organizations including Gallup, the Edelman Trust Institute, Voices for Vaccines, and Eviva Partners. Each of these partners brings something unique to the table: Gallup offers deep expertise in measuring trust and public opinion, the Edelman Trust Institute brings insights into how institutions can rebuild credibility, Voices for Vaccines provides a network of pro-vaccine advocates who can counter misinformation at the community level, and Eviva Partners helps bridge the gap between scientific evidence and public understanding. The strategy is to deliver accurate information directly to people where they already are, whether that is on social media, in local news, or through trusted community leaders. This is a crucial insight. For too long, the response to misinformation has been to tell people to stop listening to influencers and go to reputable sources. But that approach fails because it places all the burden on the consumer and ignores the reality that most people are not going to read a dense medical journal. Instead, Understood News will work alongside creators to make accurate information engaging, accessible, and shareable. It will provide local media with expert sources and pre-vetted content. It will partner with community organizations to host conversations where parents can ask questions and hear real answers. As Friedman added, “Being a parent is a challenging job. Finding trusted information to support your child’s health and well-being shouldn’t be. We aim to ease that burden for families through expert-reviewed information delivered via Understood News.” This vision is both ambitious and deeply humane, because it recognizes that families are not looking for perfection; they are looking for someone they can trust to walk alongside them.
Ultimately, this commitment is about more than just news articles or social media posts. It is about reshaping the environment in which families make decisions about their health and happiness. Understood.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has already helped more than 20 million people each year navigate the complexities of ADHD, dyslexia, and other forms of neurodivergence. Everything the organization does is grounded in research, informed by experts, and shaped by lived experience, meaning that the people who are closest to these challenges have a direct role in shaping the solutions. The Clinton Global Initiative, founded by President Bill Clinton in 2005, has a long history of turning good intentions into measurable action. Through its unique model, more than 13,000 organizations have launched over 4,300 Commitments to Action, touching the lives of more than 500 million people in 180 countries. Understood.org’s commitment to expand Understood News is a perfect fit for that legacy, a concrete, measurable project with the potential to make a real difference in the fight against misinformation. But the true test will be whether families feel the difference. Will a parent searching for answers at midnight find a clear, compassionate explanation instead of a panic-inducing video? Will a young adult with ADHD find guidance that helps them feel understood rather than judged? Will a teacher, a doctor, or a grandmother be better equipped to support the neurodivergent people in their lives? That is the goal, and it is one that will require ongoing effort, humility, and partnership. For those who want to stay informed, Understood News offers a way to follow along, with ongoing updates on topics ranging from special education to health policy to the latest research. In a world where misinformation is too often the loudest voice in the room, Understood.org is choosing to be the calm, credible, and compassionate voice that families truly need.