Articles
We can be any gender; we may have a diagnosis or simply self-identify. We may not stand out as particularly different to our peers, but our neurological differences mean the way we experience the world can feel very different. Read More…
Energy levels play a major role in day-to-day experiences. Being low in energy can mean something entirely manageable one moment, may not be the next. Through proactive management of our energy levels it becomes possible to improve our experiences. Read more…
Many articles about Autism describe lists of “deficits”. The biomedical model, still the dominant philosophy for Autism assessment, takes this approach as its starting point. In doing so, the individual is automatically viewed as broken from the outset. Read more…
For a long time, it has been thought the ratio of Autistic males to females is 4:1. But how accurate is that really? And what if we don’t identify as male or female? And even if we do, what if we don’t present according to the traditional gendered stereotypes? Read More…
‘Normal’ is just one of those words we are not supposed to use these days when talking about differences. Despite that we still see and hear it used carelessly. But really, is there such thing as ‘normal’? Read More…
This is a question which can generate a lot of heated debate and is unresolved within the Autism community and more broadly. Some people feel very strongly about the use of one over the other, others think there are more important things to worry about. Read more…
The wait for an Autism assessment can be months if not years from the point at which you request a referral. While the wait is far from acceptable there are things we can do to help ourselves or our loved ones as we wait. Read more…
While you may have been waiting an age for assessment, the sessions can fly by. Taking the time to prepare for these can make sure you get the most out of the sessions, can change how you feel about the process and even determine whether you get a referral in the first place. Read More…
Discovering we are wired differently can be wonderful, but it can also lead to yet more questions and challenges. The post diagnostic experience is rarely straightforward. So access to timely support is vital. Read More…
There is currently no blood test or brain scan to confirm Autism. So how is a person diagnosed? The waiting lists for formal testing can be very long. Sometimes we just feel self-identification is enough, in which case which tests can we use? Read More…
Historically Autistic girls have found it more difficult to access assessment than boys. Gatekeepers have played a significant role in this, so re-education is key. Read more…
In an ideal world it would not be necessary to worry about who you should and shouldn’t tell. We don’t live in an ideal world! Taking some time to think about who, how and when you disclose is important. Read More…