Autistic and Living the Dream

Tag: Autistic

  • An outline of my PhD on transgender Autistic experiences

    An outline of my PhD on transgender Autistic experiences

    I’m very excited to start my PhD studentship at University of Portsmouth funded by South Coastal Doctoral Training Partnership. I shall be in the school of psychology, doing my own research on: Exploring health and social care inequities for transgender and gender diverse Autistic adults living in the UK. I am really happy to say…

  • What’s the best thing about being Autistic and LGBTQIA+?

    What’s the best thing about being Autistic and LGBTQIA+?

    This pride month, I asked the community: What’s the best thing about being both Autistic and LGBTQIA+? This blog is based on your answers. Autistic and queer people are often understood through issues we experience such as healthcare needs, inaccessibility, stigma and prejudice. These areas are important for us to discuss, be aware of and…

  • Neurodivergent and queer-affirming spaces and practice

    Neurodivergent and queer-affirming spaces and practice

    As discussed in David’s Divergent Discussions: Queer- and Neuro- Affirming Spaces and Practice creating safer spaces for those who are both queer and neurodivergent is both simple and complex. The things which benefit us will also benefit many others. Yet our very existence means some people we share spaces with must reflect on their own…

  • What is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria?

    What is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria?

    Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) causes intense emotional distress from perceived rejection or failure, possibly linked to neurodivergence. This may lead to interpreting ambiguous interactions as rejection, anxiety before rejection, and intense emotional responses. RSD may result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Symptoms include self-consciousness, depression, low self-esteem, and people-pleasing.

  • Trans and Autistic: Power at the intersection

    Trans and Autistic: Power at the intersection

    Gender expression and identity, under colonialism, is considered as binary, either masculine or feminine, but some people fall somewhere along – or outside of – the spectrum of gender. Trans and gender diverse identities (as well as cultural ‘third genders’ such as two-spirit) exist more frequently in Autistic communities than in non-Autistic communities. Many Autistic…

  • Asexual, aromantic and Autistic: “I don’t need fixing”

    Asexual, aromantic and Autistic: “I don’t need fixing”

    This content addresses the misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding Autistic individuals’ capacity for love and intimacy, particularly the erasure and phobia faced by those who identify as asexual or aromantic. It emphasizes the need for understanding and respecting diverse identities and urges for education and advocacy to empower and support Autistic individuals.

  • Trans and Autistic: Living in two closets

    Trans and Autistic: Living in two closets

    The overlap of Autistic and LGBTQIA+ identities is a growing topic of conversation especially for those of us who occupy both spaces, and there are lots of us! We are all at differing points in our neurodivergent and queer journeys, some of us are clear of who we are, some of us are confused, some…

  • Neurodivergent and queer: Coming out twice

    Neurodivergent and queer: Coming out twice

    As people who are both neurodivergent and queer, we have to make the continuous difficult decision of coming out. Who to tell, when to tell, how much to tell and what we want from revealing parts of ourselves. Keeping safe How do we know that who we are sharing our identities and our experiences with…

  • Exploring the Experiences of Autistic Transgender and Non-Binary Adults in Seeking Gender Identity Healthcare [plain language summary]

    Exploring the Experiences of Autistic Transgender and Non-Binary Adults in Seeking Gender Identity Healthcare [plain language summary]

    This blog gives you a summary of the work created by Harley Bruce, Katie Munday (me), and Steven Kapp. The aim of our study was to get a deep understanding of autistic transgender and/or non-binary adults’ experiences in accessing, or trying to access, gender identity healthcare. There are very few research articles which focus on…

  • Check list for UK Pride events

    Check list for UK Pride events

    I’m going to several UK Pride events this year. I made myself a checklist and thought others might benefit from this too. #PrideMonth #Pride2024