How much of a wretch is anti-vax hoaxer and defrocked doctor Andrew Wakefield? Well, He was judged "guilty of some 30 charges, including four counts of dishonesty and 12 of causing children to be subjected to invasive procedures that were clinically unjustified." www.bmj.com/content/342/... #autism

It's only 2 days until the Autism and maternity free online event! It's on Thursday evening, from 6-7.30 GMT (UK time) Register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/autism-and... Or by emailing [email protected]

📣New research Q: What do neurodivergent people think about words like "neurodiversity". A: it's complicated; they use it, but it has limitations and could stigmatise. Full paper: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/... (1 of 2)

It's so exciting to see the advert for my Autistic maternity guide! If anyone is thinking of buying a copy, I have a 20% discount code if you buy from JKP. Code: %AGRANT20 Link: uk.jkp.com/products/the...

There's still time to register for next Thursday's FREE online event: Autism and maternity: information for parents and supporters (6-7.30pm UK time). I'll be joined by 3 brilliant Autistic midwives: Karen Henry, Rebecca Warboys & Diane Fox. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/autism-and...

📢 New research: how Autism charities talk about Autistic people. TLDR: they say we're a problem. Summary in The Conversation: theconversation.com/autism-chari... Full text: https://doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0335132 @helenabnett.bsky.social @kat-williams.bsky.social @willowholloway.bsky.social

The Autism friendly guide to pregnancy, birth and the fourth trimester is published today! Below you can see some information about the book (1 of 2) There's a 20% discount code if you buy from Jessica Kingsley Publishers - %AGRANT20

📣Join me to for a free talk! Topic: a summary of the research on Autism and menopause: Tuesday, October 7 · 6 - 7pm GMT+1 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dr-aimee-g...

If you missed my "Autism From Menstruation to Menopause" event, outlining the research on Autistic menopause, it's now available on YouTube: youtu.be/QzeS3RjKLqA?...

🌟New piece out today in @theconversation.com on Autistic people who are non-speaking or semi-speaking (they can speak some times) theconversation.com/why-some-aut...

Damn. This is amazing. £325 per week, paid monthly, for 3 years - and the result was a profit for the Irish economy: www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employmen...

🌟 New article on @theconversation.com today My thoughts on why we should stop saying "the Autism spectrum" and just use "Autism" theconversation.com/why-its-time...

📣Join me to for a free talk! Topic: a summary of the research on Autism and menopause: Tuesday, October 7 · 6 - 7pm GMT+1 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dr-aimee-g...

My copies of The Autism Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and the fourth trimester have arrived 🥰 20% discount code: %AGRANT20 uk.jkp.com/products/the...

The Israeli Air Force continues to bomb in Gaza

🌟 New systematic review published today: Autism & the menopause 🌟 Published in @autisminadulthood.bsky.social - www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1177/... Full text: www.researchgate.net/publication/... Summary @theconversation.com - theconversation.com/why-menopaus...

STAGGERING: This new study of 133 countries is the first to estimate the impact of all USAID’s work. In 2 decades, it has saved *92M* lives. Current cuts, if not reversed, are forecast to cost up to *14M* lives thru 2030. www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

I actually know more about the science than this sun-baked whoopie cushion masquerading as a HHS secretary and I and the rest of my board certified colleagues who practice evidence based medicine will continue to highly recommend COVID vaccines for pregnant patients

I'm begging folks to not compliment themselves too much on their "non-violent" marches & rallies. Instead, try to understand that violence at protests is generally a result of law enforcement escalation. Then, the galaxy brain move is to ask yourself "which protests do police tend to attack?"

US concentration camps come to Europe?

I'm delighted to announce that I've been promoted to Associate Professor in Public Health. Enormous thanks are due to @profamybrown.bsky.social my manager and fellowship mentor :)

Trump has federalized at least 2,000 National Guard forces and reportedly plans to deploy troops to Los Angeles over Governor Newsom’s objections. If that happens, it will be the first time since 1965 that a president has sent troops into a state without a state request. 1/19

The evidence for condition-free minimum income keeps on growing. @teamlabouruk.bsky.social please take notes and change tack.

Editorial on neurodiveristy frameworks in East Asian cultures: identity vs person-first debates don't make (linguistic) sense in some languages. These cultures may value harmony/cultural tightness over individuality; important to learn from local autistic ppl. 1/ journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

I’m so excited to share that our call for papers for a special issue of ‘ #Neurodiversity’ is now live! We’re looking for papers, podcasts, videos (and more) that align with the critical turn in #ND studies! 🤩 @ainokash.bsky.social @louisecreechan.bsky.social journals.sagepub.com/pb-assets/cm...

🌟New article / rant for @theconversation.com 🌟 Why it's NOT true to say "everyone's a bit Autistic" theconversation.com/everyone-isn...

🌟New article / rant for @theconversation.com 🌟 Why it's NOT true to say "everyone's a bit Autistic" theconversation.com/everyone-isn...

I'm hosting the three free one-hour seminars starting next week as tasters to my full 1-day seminars with @instats.bsky.social! My third free seminar is: Creative Academic Writing, Wednesday 28th May: instats.org/seminar/crea... I hope to see you there! #RadicalResearchEthics

My #INSAR2025 talk - expertly tweeted by @thinkingautism.com & @aimeespeaks.bsky.social - is now available to watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n4c... Focus: How I share power with lay Autistic people - including those with learning disabilities and who are non-speaking - and what they think of it /1

Macmillan accused of ‘betrayal’ over plan to axe cancer benefits advice service

Can't help but think about how twenty five years ago some dude failed at making a shoe bomb and now we have to deal with airport security theater forever but five years ago there was a global pandemic that killed millions that is still active and now masks are banned, and how the difference is $$

Associate profs start at about £50k and the perpetual threat of imminent redundancy is thrown in for free out here in the provinces. It’s a grand old life really

Jaswal and Blasko highlight the importance of ensuring that no autistic person with high support needs is left behind in research. THIS is the discussion that I would have expected in a SIG about research priorities for autistic people with HSN. We need more authentic representation. #INSAR2025

Completely agree with Blasko and Jaswal: Access to AAC is a human rights issue for non-speaking and semi-speaking Autistic people. #INSAR2025

Blasko: We talked for a long time about the barriers to inclusion for autistics with HSNs. Researchers need to develop the skills to do it. We need less gatekeeping, and to dismantle that power imbalance. Researchers needs to provide better access. I hope we are patient with each other. #INSAR2025

Blasko and Jaswal: To truly participate in research, autistic people with HSNs, we need to support their: Communication skills Critical thinking Collaboration Self-advocacy #INSAR2025

Blasko and Jaswal: Important to presume competence, have intentional and ongoing conversations about power sharing, and ensure that accessibility is "baked in" to all research efforts involving autistic people with the highest support needs. #INSAR2025

Blasko and Jaswal: Questions & commentary: How do we make CBPR (community based participatory research) possible for autistic people with the highest support needs? Because it's the right thing to do morally, ethically, and scientifically. #INSAR2025

Now: AAC user and UW college student Grant Blasko and Dr. Vikram Jaswal. Blasko, via AAC: He is trying to broaden his understanding of complex issues, grateful to be included and for support of fellow panel members. Jaswal works at UVA on communication in folks like Blasko. #INSAR2025

Sutherland: Some subjects' hand flapping can mean happiness or distress. For more information on the study, go to heasutherland.com. #INSAR2025

Now hearing the fantastic @heasutherland.com present on her PhD research looking at communication in social care setting for autistic people with high support needs. Holly opens by highlighting that there is a gap of research in this area. #INSAR2025

5 themes identified using thematic analysis: 1. Get to know me (individual approach) 2. Don't make assumptions (assume ability) 3. Clear communication in various formats 4. Advocate with me (not for me) 5. Always be kind & respectful (not dehumanising, listening) Themes inform resources #INSAR2025

Ryan: Also, don't make assumptions. Just because an autistic person can do something one day doesn't mean they can do it the next day. Presume competence. #INSAR2025

Conclusion: - CBPR and neurodiversity paradigm approach - universal design to make accommodations for all - frequent reviewing of practice - funding (finance & time) should factor in the costs of support. #INSAR2025

Grant: Community based participatory research (CBPR)'s universal design and accommodations can benefit everyone who participates, whether they have high support needs (HSNs) or not. #INSAR2025

Grant: To make research more inclusive, some techniques are to include a standard reminders poster, include day read communication, provide a live summary. #INSAR2025

As part of the process, after each meeting there are surveys to gather feedback and adapt. AG asked what it was like to be on council: - feel able to attend without preparing - communication feels OK - don't use breakout rooms - easy read communication preferred as standard #INSAR2025

Identifying & meeting needs: "We tried to bake in access needs" - reminders on inclusivity/learning culture - share documents on screen in real time - voting for decisions - completing payment forms & checking them all - 1-1 access check ins - takes 40% of AG's time to get right #INSAR2025

In expression of interest, autistic people were asked about access needs. - 12 people; 11 remaining - 4 HSN (3 learning disabilities, 1 non-speaking) - 1:1 meetings before first council meeting - tailored information; different formats, reminders, 1:1s before/after - meeting support #INSAR2025

Autism from Menstruation to Menopause study: - over 1k interviews -community council - plans to produce a toolkit Community council: - 4 autistic community leaders - recruited via Expression of Interest to include people with learning disabilities; tick boxes & 1:1 support for applying #INSAR2025