Black-led autism research EXIST ! tackling racism in diagnosis to empowering Black families with culturally grounded care, Black researchers are leading work that truly reflects LIVED experience. 💪🏾👩🏿‍🔬👨🏾‍🔬 #blackandautistic

Well … I’ve been BlueSky missing a while What have I missed?

@dranniehickox.bsky.social @sameihuda.bsky.social @jonathanstea.bsky.social #ASD #PTSD #disability #mentalillness

"When we ask for accommodations, we are not asking for special treatment or being selfish. We are simply advocating for our needs to be met so that we can fully participate and contribute to the world around us." -The Autistic Teacher. www.facebook.com/autisticteac... #neurodiversity #autism

This Thursday! This webinar should equip job seekers with language they can use to describe their needs, and give employers a better understanding of how to be accessible! https://buff.ly/4hshNLq #ActuallyAutistic #DEI

Off to London to celebrate the success of the National Autism Trainer Programme, my life for the last four years! Huge thanks to @thementalelf.bsky.social for live messaging proceedings this afternoon. #NATPMentalHealth #AT-Autism #AnnaFreud #NHSE

The National Autism Trainer Programme is a partnership of Anna Freud and AT-Autism. It was delivered to over 5,000 trainers from 2022-2024. annafreud.org/natp , www.atautism.org We learned a lot during this programme. Hear some of the highlights by following #NATPmentalhealth from 1230 GMT.

Today’s meeting is chaired by Georgia Pavolopoulou @jopavlopoulou.bsky.social, Director of National Autism Trainer Programme at Anna Freud and Associate Professor at UCL. #NATPmentalhealth

National Autism Trainer Programme (NATP) Closing Conference 19 February 2025, 1230-1535 #NATPmentalhealth In 2022, Anna Freud and AT-Autism joined forces to develop and deliver a ground-breaking autism trainer programme, commissioned by NHS England. Follow along to find out what we learned. 🧵

I'm delighted to announce two new workshops as part of the Harm in Therapy series for 2025: Rupture and Repair in Feb, and in March I'm excited to welcome Sonny Hallett @scrappapertiger.bsky.social as a co-facilitator for our March workshop on Queer, Autistic experiences of Harm (links in thread)

Autism One, the infamous autistic kiddy harming outfit has financially collapsed, shuttering its main program, 90%+ of its operation... hot on the heels of Autism Speak$ Canada collapsing. GO TEAM* AUTISTICS! * Very Nuanced and Extensive use of the word 'Team'

I am a Bosnian displaced prsn currently specialising in child psychology.. Neurodivergent in a few ways. I work with some of the most vulnerable families in London. My research will be exploring what helps non speaking autistic children's families to flourish. I am looking for refugee psychologists.

"Neuronormative training is such a harmful and short sighted practise." Absolutely agree, @jamieandlion.bsky.social Please can all occupational therapists & other professionals who practice any form of #ABA, look into why it's so harmful ... & stop, & use much better ways to support autistic folk

Autistic - not broken

NEW POST: Inquiries and injustice: the SEND Inquiry hears the parental perspective, including ours from @tanialt.bsky.social Plus, local government claims the SEND Tribunal adversarial—do you agree? www.specialneedsjungle.com/i...

Training a wonderful team of teachers & support staff today on affirmative methods of support for #GLP #NeuroDivergent pupils. Love my job 💜 #NHS #WeSpeechies #GestaltLanguageProcessing

We did it! We got through a other year!

Agreed. My PhD research is experiences of autistic burnout in children and young people. I’m only at the very beginning of my PhD however, the literature available is few and limited. In the mean time I have written & published two books on the topic. Raising awareness is so so important

Just read my 693rd Prevention of Future Deaths Report this year. Only: 16 relate to learning disabled people (who aren't autistic) 3 relate to learning disabled, autistic people 16 relate to autistic people (without a learning disability) 5% of all PFDs, feels way too low to me #NotFullyHuman

do you have a gift link? I certainly don't subscribe to the NYT but would love to yell about how much bologna is in this shit sandwich.

It’s been an absolute pleasure working as a trainer on this programme. If you are interested in autism and mental health, consider joining the National Autism Trainer Programme’s free virtual conference on February 19th 2025 12:30-15:30 www.annafreud.org/training/cou...

We see the need for an approach to supporting #autistic people that is, by principle, grounded in acceptance of the autistic diversity of being and informed by autistic experience, which we elaborate on in this article, led by @elainemcgreevy.bsky.social +moi journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

V worried about this in the context of autistic kids, partic those with burnout due to unmet needs in school. LAs have an appalling track record when it comes to accurately identifying the needs of autistic kids & parents are already under intense scrutiny www.theguardian.com/society/2024...

Today Dec 17th 5:30 PM EST, the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act heads to the House floor. Survivors, advocates, and allies will be watching closely. Passage would be a historic step toward justice, accountability, and protecting children. 🙏 #StopInstitutionalChildAbuse youtu.be/uDcBz6Bb6Rg?...

The fear amongst parents of disabled children is real with the announcement of this new bill. Comments from parents today: ‘It feels like we are being hunted’ ‘We are getting dual nationality passports’ ‘How hard do you ‘fight’ before you are accused’ RIP Sara Sharif

Lets not forget about or try to overlook Black #autistic women in general but heres my fav piece i wrote for the mighty 💜🦋🫶🏽♾️ themighty.com/topic/autism...

The fear is already rising in parents The new Wellbeing and Schools Bill has just been announced. Local parents are reporting this as ‘feels like we are being hunted’ www.gov.uk/government/n... #SEND @captaink77.bsky.social

Essential reading. What happened to the Chapple family is horrifying. My admiration for Elly is boundless.

Truly horrific experiences @ellychapple.bsky.social I am so sorry for what you have had to endure 💔 Working with parents of disabled children I know this is a fear that the majority of families have How hard do you ‘fight’ for your child before the wrath of the professionals descends ??

"The council had unlawfully issued care proceedings, that required @ellychapple.bsky.social and Ella’s siblings to leave the family home, whilst care proceedings were ongoing. It also records changes were made to Ella’s bespoke care and education package ... causing her significant distress"

Twice in the past month I have pulled into a parking lot and the accessible parking spots have been blocked by someone "just running inside." Blocking accessible spots is a form of ableism, even if it's just for a few minutes. Please tell your friends. #DisabledSky

Ive just been stopped on X from direct messaging too so if @mikeo56977865.bsky.social @danwhite1972.bsky.social @formercarer.bsky.social could share my handle on here and twitter that would be great please.

From my new book with @elizafricker.bsky.social. The Teenager’s guide to burnout, for those for whom school makes things worse. Key message, it’s not your fault and things can get better.

Hi OT Colleagues Does anyone have any resources on Puberty for the AMAB experience? #OccupationalTherapy #Autism #Autistic #Sensory *ND affirming if possible

Dear researchers doing this stuff. Please check whether your cohort is autistic. The main cause of autism is autistic parents having autistic children. I know this goes against everything your ancient Professors are telling you to write in your papers, but try. Just try. Thank you.

I am glad that it is going through to the next stage but I am concerned about the rights of non-speakers #assisteddeath

I am involved in this project by Teach Us Too with Dr Sarah Helton @backpocketteacher.bsky.social it would be great to get more people involved.

It is important to be able to communicate with others, especially when you’re stressed, upset, in pain, dysregulated, or in a difficult or dangerous situation. But sometimes communicating is hard; what can you do? Advice from @communicationfirst.bsky.social: communicationfirst.org/communicatin...

NEW RESEARCH: Calling young people (12-15 years) and their parents/carers to explore young people's strengths and interests in daily life, and receive a personalised strengths profile by taking part! @topicgroup.bsky.social @jiedilei.bsky.social Register t.ly/AmNgW Study Video t.ly/USgWQ

We are hiring! We're looking for a part time administrator (0.5 fte) to support our work in the Centre for Autism Wellbeing Hub. Deadline for applications - 9th Jan Date of interview - 23rd Jan More info here: jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...

So disappointing to see that Ofsted’s focus is still on attendance at all costs. No recognition at all of the poor fit between lots of kids and mainstream school environments - and the devastating impact that can have on child wellbeing

Here come the #SEND Reforms 😓💔 I suspect changes in law to water down our kids rights across the board are to follow Fit the square pegs in round holes. Meaning huge impacts to the children, families and the #NHS

Families endure assessment & often a combative SEND Tribunal (& prevail) as schools failed to provide the right help with no plan. The fault is the lack of resources (government), expertise (training) & often the will (school leaders) NOT with families. JUST STOP IT! www.gov.uk/government/p... 3/3

NEW POST: Our SEND funding analyst, Matt Keer, looks behind the headlines at the SEND funding announcement. Will £740m make mainstream schools truly accessible? Plus SEND safety valve deals halted—we’ll take that as a win! www.specialneedsjung...

Morning lovelies, Keir Starmer is going to be announcing a ‘plan for change’ today. My personal newsletter tonight will explain what I think it means for the NHS (which is in a state of absolute emergency) 🚨 You can sign up to my newsletter here: jujuliagrace.substack.com

This is one important part of getting the push towards inclusive mainstream right. Pleased to see it and interested to find out the detail. Schools given £740m to adapt buildings for Send pupils www.bbc.com/news/article...

Thrilled that @elizafricker.bsky.social will be talking about neurodivergent parenting at our Wellbeing Hub webinar in January. What a fantastic way to start the new year. Date/time: 16th Jan 7-8.30pm Title: A brighter way forward Registration: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-brighter... All welcome.