April 2026 is #WorldAutismAcceptanceMonth ! 🌈 If you've ever wondered how you can better understand and support autistic people in your life, or if you're curious to learn more, stay tuned for autism research showcases and podcast episodes from the SMRC.

I had a wonderful time presenting on how to ethically and meaningfully support participation of neurodivergent children and young people in education research at the Annual Childhood and Youth Studies Jamboree, @morayhouse.bsky.social Thank you Dr Colin Morrison for the invitation!

Rounding up #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek, we are showcasing an article by @karri-g-smith.bsky.social, Ally Pax Arcari Mair, Aljawharah Alabtullatif, Helen Pain and Doug McConachie. This study explored inclusive accounts of friendship and autistic perceptions and experiences of friendship.

Today we are showcasing a published article by @heasutherland.com (@cam.ac.uk), @cjcrompton.bsky.social, Joseph Long (Scottish Autism) and @suereviews.bsky.social in the Sage journal Neurodiversity. This study explored autistic people's experiences of social communication with non-autistic people.

Started #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek presenting at the Equitable Robotics for Wellbeing (EqRoW) Workshop at @heriotwattuni.bsky.social. A wonderful afternoon raising awareness about Developmental Language Disorder, socioemotional wellbeing, and implications for social robots 🗣️❤️‍🩹🤖

Today we are showcasing an article by @cjcrompton.bsky.social, @aalcorn.bsky.social, @katiecebula.bsky.social and @suereviews.bsky.social in the journal Frontiers for Young Minds. This article accessibly explains what neurodiversity is and how neurodivergent people can experience day-to-day life.

It's Neurodiversity Celebration Week! This worldwide initiative aims to transform perceptions and support for neurodivergent people and create more inclusive, equitable and empowering cultures. Get involved at www.neurodiversityweek.com + look for SMRC research highlights throughout the week! 🌟

🔔Fully-funded ESRC PhD studentship opportunity at The University of Edinburgh! Supervised by @katiecebula.bsky.social, Dr Michael Fleming and Patricio Troncoso + in collaboration with Mindroom and Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) www.sgsss.ac.uk/studentship/...

Seminar 2 of the @bpsofficial.bsky.social-funded "Building Anti-Ableism Through Representation in Children’s Material Culture" series. "Books and Reading" : Disability and Neurodivergent representation in children's books. Hosted by SMRC Director @katiecebula.bsky.social and Dr Charlotte Webber.

I have a new article published today! Written with my fellow OCD-ist. Accepted a couple of years ago, the piece envisions theoretical directions for critical OCD studies through approaching order/control through a social and experiential lens. www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/10.3828/...

To all my fellow Canadians, both at home and across the pond, I encourage you to sign this petition from the House of Commons. www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en... Many of my loved ones are living where 🧊 is running rampant and signing a petition is the least I can do. Please share widely 🍁

We are showcasing a published chapter by Dr @petrigoh.bsky.social (CEU Democracy Institute) and @autgeek.bsky.social (SMRC PhD Researcher, @durham.ac.uk) in The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Disability. "Autistic Advocacy: Past, Present and Future Directions."

We are showcasing a published paper by @cjcrompton.bsky.social et al. (2025), which explored information transfer in autistic, non-autistic, and mixed-neurotype chains in 311 individuals. This study is a replication and extension of the team's diffusion chain study in 2020.

"Building Anti-Ableism Through Representation in Children’s Material Culture", a 3-part seminar series funded by @bpsofficial.bsky.social and hosted across @qmuniversity.bsky.social, @unistrathclyde.bsky.social,and @cam.ac.uk. Seminar 1 "Toys and Play": QMU, Feb 26 1pm - 4:30pm GMT

We are showcasing a recently published paper by @katiecebula.bsky.social and @profsarahmcg.bsky.social, which qualitatively explored home reading practices of mothers and their children with Down syndrome. Mothers shared experiences via semi-structured interviews, children via 'book tours'.

Welcome to the Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC) BlueSky account! Led by @katiecebula.bsky.social, and in productive partnership with the charity Mindroom, the SMRC creates new knowledge about neurodiversity, learning, and development. Follow us for research updates and events!

America is in dangerous territory. The combination of a masked federal paramilitary force being used against civilians, the intentional spread of extremist ideology, and the censorship and use of “science” by the state to harm specific groups of people has never ended well. #ScientistsAgainstICE

“It isn’t people seeking sanctuary who are tearing our country apart. It’s toxic, racist narratives and the scapegoating of migrants for crises they did not cause.” Carla Denyer challenges the Home Secretary's new immigration reforms saying they just fuel far-right narratives.

Can't wait to present tomorrow morning at nasen's Support for Learning online conference! I will be sharing findings from my mixed-methods study on school staff experiences using multi-sensory environments with neurodivergent students 🌈 Free for all to attend! nasen.org.uk/events/sfl-o...

Survey closing at midnight ! 🕛

Important every day, but today feels like a particularly good day for sharing neuro-affirming educational films about autistic experiences.

Happy Thursday E-DLD followers! Today we are introducing one of our ECR Research Associates! Kyleigh’s social media handles: Instagram: @kylovestudying BlueSky: @kyleighmelville.bsky.social X: @MelvilleKyleigh LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kyleighmelville #devlangdis #DLD #ECR #researchassociate

My wonderful supervisor @katiecebula.bsky.social is running a Sibling Cafe for care experienced adults and supporters of care experienced individuals 🌱 Come along for a cosy chat with coffee/tea, and Tunnocks ☕️ 🍰 Friday 5th Sep 2-4 PM @ University of Edinburgh

Still recruiting participants for my online survey on experiences of using sensory rooms with neurodivergent / SEN / ASN students ! Especially keen to hear from school-based therapists 🎨 edinburgh.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Fabulous research by Wassell (2025) about the importance of Autistic Joy & monotropism! "Autistic voices suggest that the key barrier to joyful experience is not autism itself but other people's lack of acceptance of authentic autistic behaviours such as stimming and pursuit of special interests."

It's time for a new kind of political party - one that belongs to you. Sign up at yourparty.uk.

📢 Recruiting participants for my PhD study! 🟢 Do you work in a school in the UK? 🟢 Do you work with neurodivergent and/or SEND or ASN students? 🟢 Does your school have a sensory room or therapy garden ? Chance to win a £50 voucher for your school! edinburgh.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

We refuse to let co-production be co-opted. It is a complicated and unique process that involves the centring of Disabled voices and experiences - not as a tick box exercise, but making our experiences central to decision making. Some food for thought this #CoProWeek2025

Spent Canada Day recording my first podcast w/ Dr Hope Christie & Tooled Up Education on my research on multi-sensory environments, LEGO-Based Therapy and how my experience of teaching neurodivergent students inspired my research journey 🌈 Free to listen! creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...

I had such a wonderful time at #NDAS2025 sharing my PhD work-in-progress with fellow researchers at @citystgeorges.bsky.social. There is so much excellent work going on in the realm neurodevelopmental psychology 🧠 Can’t wait for NDAS 2026 in Durham ✨

Still can’t believe it … I’m engaged ! ✨

📢 Still recruiting UK school staff who work with neurodivergent, SEND and ASN students and use multi-sensory environments. The survey’s designed with the support of a Lived Experience Advisory Group and there’s a prize draw to win a £50 voucher ! ⭐️ edinburgh.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Are you: ⭐the parent of an autistic child and their neurotypical sibling (both 5 - 12 years & within 5 years of each other)? ⭐in Scotland? We are recruiting for a study looking at how parents support autistic children and their siblings to play together. More info/register interest: edin.ac/4mWJsrw

Happy Pride Month #cat #pride #pridemonth 🏳‍🌈

🚨Write to your MP to support the cross-party motion against benefit cuts! We are supporting Sian Berry MP's Early Day Motion calling on the Government to stop scapegoating Disabled people. ✍️Write to your MP and tell them to support EDM 949! Learn more 👇 www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/cross-p...

a new substack essay about writing for the fan-made lesbian dating sim #heygirliegame (set in the world of dimension 20’s fantasy high), the parasocial tendencies of readers, and why i’ll never use chatgpt. open.substack.com/pub/feidong/...

If you a care experienced adult (16+ years) in Scotland OR the supporter of a care experienced child/adult in Scotland (e.g. foster parent) join us online on Fri 30th May to talk about how sib relationships of care experienced people could be better supported. Sign up and more info: edin.ac/4cIYdcs

✨New blog post! ✨ Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting Oaklands School and observe how this brilliant community of educators, therapists and support staff use multi-sensory environments with their students. Thank you @team-oaklands.bsky.social for having me, can’t wait to visit again soon!

My first conference ✅ Thank you @stir.ac.uk for the opportunity to talk about autism, LEGO and how centring the child in research and play as a tool for safety and empowerment, can make schools more than just places of learning, but places of belonging 🌈⭐️🤍

Ooo! You can watch my SmartyPants for free!! www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxMR...

📢Still recruiting participants! ✨UK school staff who work with neurodivergent, SEND and ASN students and use multi-sensory environments ✨Survey designed with the support of a Lived Experience Advisory Group ✨School prize draw to win a 50 GBP voucher 🏆 edinburgh.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Loch Lomond in spring 🌱

Please enjoy these shelter pups reacting to getting a kiss. Some are bashful, some have butterflies, and all deserve approximately 10 million more. 14/10 for all

My friends are so cool 🥹

Are you a care experienced adult (16+ years) or the supporter of care experienced children/adults in Scotland (e.g. foster parent, residential carer)? If so, we invite you to come to one of our ‘Sibling Cafes’ in May (choice of in-person or an online). To sign up and for more info: edin.ac/4cIYdcs

The "mean" in "Greenwich Mean Time" actually means "mean" (like, average). I did not know this! To calculate GMT they took the position of the sun throughout the year and averaged it out to find the average solar noon in Greenwich and based the time on that!

Recruiting participants to fill in an anonymous online survey (15-20 mins) on school staff experiences using multi-sensory environments with neurodivergent students. Participants can opt in to win their school a 50£ voucher. Survey open until 5/30/2025 🔗: edinburgh.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Curricular integration of augmentative and alternative communication for students on the autism spectrum in inclusive-oriented schools: A scoping review journals.sagepub.com...

Sunday vibes.

To share my research progress with members of the public, I’ve created a blog! I’ve written a personal reflection on my lived experience as an educator-turned-researcher in autism as my way to celebrate Autism Awareness Day 2025 🌈 multisensoryenvironmentsneurodiversity.wordpress.com/2025/04/02/r...