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Autistic and living the dream?
I once got “called out” by someone online about my screen name. They said that not all Autistic people were able to ‘live the dream.’ This person was talking about their son. They used all sorts of functioning labels about him and mentioned things I’d never share publicly about myself, let alone my own son.…
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Recruitment: Improving cancer services for Disabled people
Edit: These sessions have now come to an end. They were conducted with community groups in spaces and ways which suited them. I am involved in this amazing work with another Disabled community researcher under Macmillan Cancer Support, Bournemouth University PIER, Involving People and Wessex Cancer Alliance. Improving cancer services for disabled people. Do you…
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Activism in the everyday
“Activism doesn’t have to be big and loud it can be in every day conversations” Every time someone speaks up for marginalised folks they are advocating for themselves and others. Showing up for ourselves and other people is the biggest form of self care and activism. Activism doesn’t have to be big and flashy, web…
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Making “good choices”
In schools and educational settings across the UK, Neurodivergent children, including those with mental health conditions, are praised for “good choices” and punished for “bad choices.” This may seem effective on the surface but this idea puts the onus of ‘appropriate’ behaviours, reactionary and otherwise, on the child in question. This is harmful for several…
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Are Autistic people supported at University?
The undue pressure to meet our own accessibility needs in education is astounding. We have to constantly rely on our own advocacy, of that of our loved ones to be taken seriously. And it doesn’t get any easier in further education. University is filled with so many difficult social interactions, overwhelming spaces, inconsistent timetables and…
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Trans and Autistic: the importance of online groups
The internet has become a place in which transgender+ Autistic people can gain access to resources, ideas and language to describe our gender and neurological identities. Using online support groups allows me to find out more about myself and how I relate to others as a late diagnosed Autistic gender divergent person. Having safe spaces…
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Trans and Autistic: supporting gender diverse Autistic students
Living at the intersection of trans and Autistic identities is a unique and insightful experience, however many of us who occupy this space have difficulty in gaining support within educational settings. Many of us find it difficult to find teaching staff who are both knowledgeable about, and affirming to, Autistic and transgender experiences. Those who…
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Trans and Autistic: Where do I belong?
Group membership and a sense of belonging can improve the physical and emotional wellbeing of gender diverse Autistic people. However, there remains real risks of transphobia within queer spaces. At the 2018 London Pride march which was infiltrated by a small group of anti-trans protesters. These protesters made disparaging remarks about transwomen and shared literature…
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Technological capitalism trundles on
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Counterculture: Autistic shielding and neuro-anarchy
