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Trans and Autistic: Applying for PhD
Applying for a PhD as an autistic transgender person involves navigating ableism, transphobia, paperwork challenges, and the search for affirming supervisors. Rejection can be emotionally taxing, and universities should improve application processes. Autistic trans applicants should utilize available resources, advocate for themselves, and have backup plans. Selecting understanding supervisors is crucial.
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The truth about ‘challenging behaviour’
Cw: bullying, mention of abuse, mental health, substance use and death. Challenging behaviour refers to a range of intense and frequent behaviours that threaten the quality of life and / or the physical safety of the person and those around them, behaviours can include aggression, verbal abuse and bullying (Imray, 2017). Challenging behaviour is socially…
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Is UK sex and relationship education LGBTQIA+ appropriate?
Sex education, which teaches secondary aged children about sexual health and relationships, has arguably remained unchanged for the last fifteen years, despite the changing needs of children and young people (Arnett & Hughes, 2012). This in part is due to Section 28 which forbade the promotion of homosexuality within schools. Sexual minority youth may feel…
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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: 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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Schools Bill MP letter / email template
I have created this template for people to use in whatever way you think will be helpful, including sharing with your local MP. Don’t know your MP? Find them here. Dear _____ I have some major concerns over the proposed Schools Bill, as the bill shall: 1. Make it more difficult for home educators to…
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The Schools Bill – making education harder for Disabled children