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Transforming Care: Benefits of Neuro-Affirming Approaches
Neuro-affirming practice involves unlearning harmful methods and embracing neurodiversity as valid. It emphasizes inclusive, empathetic approaches that respect individual autonomy and lived experiences. Practitioners should adapt their methods to support neurodivergent clients, fostering an environment of trust and safety through continuous reflection and advocacy for systemic change.
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Exploring Crip Theory: Insights from Our Hybrid Symposium
The symposium “The Intersections of Sociology with Crip Theory, Critical Disability Studies, and Mad Studies” was held on June 11, led by PhD students Robin Skyer, Fraedan Mastrantonio, and the author. It featured keynote speakers, panel discussions, and creative workshops, fostering connection among participants interested in these critical fields.
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What comes under the “Neurodivergent” umbrella?
In short, probably more than most of us think! Kassiane Asasumasu, coined the term neurodivergent in the late 1990s / early 2000s, stating that the term included those “Whose neurocognitive functioning diverges from dominant societal norms in multiple ways” and should therefore not be used to exclude people but to include them. In more recent…
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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…
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OCD: Shame and affirmation
The need for OCD-affirming spaces is highlighted, emphasizing the validity of identities and experiences. The author shares their challenges with OCD treatment options, including problematic experiences with CBT and the complexities of medication. Online OCD spaces often fail to provide meaningful support, and misconceptions about OCD perpetuate shame and ableism. The urgent call for creating…
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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…
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What I Would Like to Say – at the APPGC
To say my experience yesterday was phenomenal may be an understatement. Myself and colleagues from Help and Care, Macmillan Cancer Support , and the NHS went to the Houses of Parliament. We spoke at the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer about the findings from our What I Would Like to Say project. We talked…
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Mental health crisis: Reaching out and checking in
Content warning: mental health struggles, mention of incarceration, death and estrangement. It is consistently suggested that people who are in mental health crisis need to ‘reach out’ for support. This is problematic as the onus of support and help is put on the person who is struggling, this individual must be able to have the…
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What does the DSM say about autism?
CW: ableist terms and language, mention of mental health. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM) is published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and is used to classify cognitive differences. It covers many different neurotypes and mental health issues including schizophrenia, bi-polar, gender dysphoria, and autism. It is used across the USA…
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Prosopagnosia – face blindness
