Tag: Actually Autistic

  • The Autistic Revolution: the magazine for us by us

    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…

  • Navigating online advocacy

    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…

  • I won’t apologise for my neurotype

    I won’t apologise for my neurotype

    I will apologise for things I’ve done wrong and I’ll do my best to grow and change with whatever new information I’ve been graced with. I don’t know everything, I’m not perfect and life is bloody hard. So I try not to be so hard on myself. There is one thing I absolutely will not…

  • Supportive apprenticeships? A look at the new DfE initiative

    Supportive apprenticeships? A look at the new DfE initiative

    Finally, the Department for Education has released their plans for support for Disabled apprentices. Unfortunately, the wait was not worth it. Settings will have to apply for funding which then may be denied. In the same style as Education Health Care Plans (EHCP). This may mean that settings do not go for funding to support…

  • Trans and Autistic: sorting my gender after diagnosis

    Trans and Autistic: sorting my gender after diagnosis

    I have always been weird. At school I always played alone at breaktimes, I talked to myself as I explored the sports field and wild areas of the playground. In my pockets I collected interesting things I found; acorns, a shiny rock, part of a bird egg. I was happy in my distant reveries, often…

  • Autistic and living the dream?

    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.…

  • Heartbreak high: Autistic representation done right

    Heartbreak high: Autistic representation done right

    I have been waiting for Quinni – an Autistic girl played by an Autistic actress – my whole life. What I love about Quinni is that not only is she Autistic, she is openly a lesbian. Most media with lesbian characters are full of trauma around understanding their identity and coming out. And although that…

  • Activism in the everyday

    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…

  • Trans and Autistic: the importance of online groups

    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…

  • Trans and Autistic: supporting gender diverse Autistic students

    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…