-
Activism and academia – where can we make the most difference?
I had a really enlightening conversation with two other Autistic researchers a few days ago. Although the conversation was around autoethnography (in which the stories of the researchers is the data collected). The conversation also reminded me that research doesn’t have to be written, quiet, or clean. It can be creative, loud, and messy. Research…
-
What I Would Like to Say – at the APPGC
To say my experience yesterday was phenomenal may be an understatement. Myself and colleagues from Help and Care, Macmillan Cancer Support , and the NHS went to the Houses of Parliament. We spoke at the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer about the findings from our What I Would Like to Say project. We talked…
-
Things to think about before getting involved in autism research
-
Cancer services accessibility report
The What I Would like to Say project has been running since April 2022 and we’ve been able to speak to some amazing Disabled and Neurodivergent people about their experiences with cancer services in the UK ranging from accessing information and screening, to treatment, recovery and aftercare. Through creative arts we were able to share…
-
The truth about ‘challenging behaviour’
Cw: bullying, mention of abuse, mental health, substance use and death. Challenging behaviour refers to a range of intense and frequent behaviours that threaten the quality of life and / or the physical safety of the person and those around them, behaviours can include aggression, verbal abuse and bullying (Imray, 2017). Challenging behaviour is socially…
-
Community psychology and models of disability
Community psychology examines and supports people’s attitudes, actions and thoughts within the social contexts of their lives, supporting marginalised groups to challenge systems, institutions and legislations which oppress and discriminate (Orford, 2008). Additionally, community psychology (CP) can contribute to the understanding of social issues for both professionals and participants by framing people within their local…
-
“You’re asking permission to be yourself”: Autistic adults’ experiences of accessing gender identity healthcare
Earlier today Steven Kapp shared this at the Spring Symposium of the University of Portsmouth’s Quality of Life, Health, and Well-Being Research Group. So, I thought I’d share it here too! (Especially as our full work is about to be published!) “You’re asking permission to be yourself”: Autistic adults’ experiences of accessing gender identity healthcareHarley Bruce, Katie…
-
The pain and the anguish of being an Autistic autism researcher
Reading through autism research as an Autistic student or researcher can be emotional and traumatic, especially when so many of us are encouraged to use research that doesn’t align with our lived experiences. Using the American Psychological Association’s framing of autistic embodiment, in particular, does not fit with how I know Autistic experience to be.…
-
Pushing the boulder up the hill: How Autistic advocates and academics are changing ‘autism’ research
Academia is being dragged up by autistic people not just within academia but also within social media. There are a growing number of Autistic led organisations which are involved in policy and educating Autistic and non-Autistic people, including Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), NeuroClastic and Aucademy. Blog and article writing, activism and advocacy is just…
-
“Equality and diversity” – I am not your tick box exercise
Whilst making ammendments on one of my job descriptions, I noticed the words “equality and diversity” and it caused a reaction in me. A strong reaction. One of my main job responsibilities (and that as a human being) is centering marginalised voices. Sharing stories with other Disabled, Neurodivergent and Queer people is fundamental to my…