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Spectrum 10K: What worries us about the theory behind this project?
Spectrum 10K, started more than 18 months ago to collect 10,000 DNA samples and medical histories of Autistic people across the UK. There are some valid concerns around the efficacy of this work but also the theory and tools which are used within it. Some worrying tools and theories used within Spectrum 10K– The Autism…
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Trans and Autistic: Accessing gender identity healthcare
I’m excited to finally be able to share a paper I have been working on with Harley Bruce and Steven Kapp entitled: Exploring the experiences of Autistic transgender and non-binary adults in seeking gender identity healthcare. Harley spoke to 17 Autistic trans and / or non-binary people from across the globe to better understand the…
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Spectrum 10K – unpaused and still unethical
In August 2021 the Spectrum 10k (S10K) research project was announced. It aimed to collect 10,000 DNA samples and medical records of Autistic children and adults (there is more information on the study at Aucademy). After a well thought-out and planned boycott from Autistic advocates, academics and many others, S10K was paused so the ethics…
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Navigating the Confusing PhD Application Process
Navigating the PhD application process is convoluted, heavily reliant on administrative skills, and often leads to mismatched supervisory teams. The experience highlights systemic barriers, including racism and classism, that deter applicants, especially neurodiverse individuals. The author expresses frustration with the bureaucratic hurdles that hinder deserving candidates and emphasizes the need for inclusive research representation.
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The truth about OCD
OCD and anxiety go hand-in-hand, so making our environments more accommodating definitely helps calm OCD. My behaviours and intrusive thoughts are much calmer and less active now I live in my own home and work part time (I understand the huge amount of privilege I have with both of these). I feel less burntout and…
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My on and off relationship with writing
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Trans and Autistic: no coercion, only care
There is a strange fear around trans young people transitioning. So much of this is based in ignorance and very little understanding on the systems which support said young people. The words ‘coercion’, ‘forcing’ and ‘grooming’ are used by some people to deny children the chance to explore their gender in a safe environment with…
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Autistic shielding: reclaiming my weird
As I have written before, Autistic shielding involves being authentic in our Autistic embodiment (What is Autistic shielding?). This allows us to turn away intolerant people and find our neurokin. My Autistic embodiment involves an uncontrollably expressive face, singing the same jingle or song over and over, talking to myself, narrating all my daily activities,…
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The Autistic Revolution: the magazine for us by us
The first issue is out now! Access for FREE here. Jenny Loughran (Celebrating the Neurodiversity programme) and Callum Brazzo (Autistic Led) are developing an Autistic led quarterly magazine called Autistic Revolution. They intend to become a constituted group so they are able to pay Autistic contributors. Too often Autistic people are asked to take part…
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Navigating online advocacy
When I started online advocacy a few years back I felt like I had a vision, an aim. I was ushered into groups lovingly and with open arms, some I was massively interested in and others were more problematic. Some were very unsafe places for me. I navigated myself round these during lockdown and whilst…