Category: Social Justice

  • Trans and Autistic: Disability, neurodivergence and transness

    Trans and Autistic: Disability, neurodivergence and transness

    This is the transcript from Tranvox on disability, neurodivergence and transness, which can be found here. Gillian: Hi and welcome back to the next edition of Transvox. No Jenny today but sitting in front of me is Katie Munday – so welcome! Katie: Hello, and thanks for having me again. Gillian: So, Katie tells us…

  • Allies and safe spaces

    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…

  • Creating Safe Spaces book review

    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.

  • The importance of Autistic-led training and research

    The importance of Autistic-led training and research

    The struggle for Autistic trainers is common as non-Autistic individuals often take precedence. Organizations claim to support #AutismAwareness but refuse to pay Autistic individuals for their expertise. Even those who include Autistic co-creators may overlook their lived experience. The focus must shift to including Autistic individuals in leadership and fairly compensating them.

  • Interview with TransActual for Autism Acceptance Month

    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…

  • No, Joe Wicks, ADHD isn’t a dietary issue

    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…

  • School toilets under lock and key

    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…

  • UK university ethics applications – a neurodivergent nightmare?

    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…

  • LGBTQIA+ and Autistic: Community and belonging

    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.

  • The ARC is at it again

    The ARC is at it again

    CW: suicide, ableism, Simon Baron-Cohen Another study suggested by Cambridge’s Autism Research Centre (ARC) has been paused. The new study by Professor Simon Baron-Cohen planned to read and pick apart the diaries of CSL*, a young Autistic girl who killed herself. The intention was that researchers could use her diaries to improve their understanding of…