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Allies and safe spaces
Allyship is an ongoing commitment toward understanding and supporting those with different identities and experiences. Performative actions are not enough; true allyship requires genuine effort and involvement. Organizations often claim to support marginalized groups without truly understanding their experiences. Creating truly safe and inclusive spaces requires genuine effort and a willingness to actively fight for…
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Creating Safe Spaces book review
“Creating Safe Spaces for Autistic People” by Scott Neilson and Laura Hellfeld provides a comprehensive guide for establishing inclusive environments. The authors, along with other autistic advocates, address topics such as language use, participant support, and accessibility. Ranging from sensory tools to public transport guidance, this well-structured resource is valuable for professionals supporting autistic individuals.
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Interview with TransActual for Autism Acceptance Month
What assumptions do you wish people would stop making about Autistic people? There are so many! I think from a trans and wider LGBTQIA+ perspective is that we can understand ourselves and what we need and want from our relationships, and what we need and want from our body, and how we want to show…
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No, Joe Wicks, ADHD isn’t a dietary issue
Joe Wicks, aka The Body Coach, has recently suggested (on a BBC podcast) that the “surge” in childhood ADHD diagnoses is linked to poor diet. He shared: “Looking back now, there’s no doubt the food I was eating was directly linked to my behaviour. I was never diagnosed with ADHD, but I think nowadays it’s…
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School toilets under lock and key
‘Cages’ have been installed at Foxford Community School, Coventry, to stop students from going to the toilet. Pupils are now unable to use the toilet during lessons and can only make a bathroom trip if supervised. Children aged 10-16 years old have to ask permission to go to the bathroom and go supervised. We all…
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UK university ethics applications – a neurodivergent nightmare?
Policies within UK universities outline that research undertaken therein requires ethical review, however the process of obtaining favourable opinion can be inaccessible to Autistic ADHD students due to ableism within Higher Education. I wanted to know whether I was the only Autistic and ADHD / Attention Hyperactive person who really struggled with my degree ethics…
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LGBTQIA+ and Autistic: Community and belonging
This article, originally from Autistic Revolution magazine, addresses the intersection of LGBTQIA+ and Autistic identities. The author explains their personal connection to both spectrums and discusses the challenges faced, including discrimination in LGBTQIA+ and Autistic spaces. They emphasize the importance of creating inclusive spaces and embracing diverse identities.
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Accommodations aren’t accommodations when you have to fight so hard for them
As a Disabled person supporting other Disabled people your needs, intensities, and behaviours don’t always align. When your children need you at your best sometimes you are in full fatigue, pain or overwhelm. Sometimes when your children need you at 100% you only have the spoons for 20%. The admin for fighting for your child’s…
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One does not simply walk into the doctors
There are too many steps to take before Disabled people get through the door at doctors’ surgeries or hospitals. We must unravel our feelings and experiences from those of our usual symptoms of chronic illness. Then we must muster up the energy to book an appointment, if we use AAC this can be even more…
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Things to think about before getting involved in autism research
I have been a participant in a fair amount of Autistic experience research (what others may call autism research) and I’ve led and assisted on a few more besides. There’s a few things I look for when deciding whether to engage in such research. First, I look at who is running the research – are…