One possible manifestation of Autistic routine is having a regular spot …

Even if it’s not the best spot … it’s … our spot … the one that’s ours …

Why would you take my spot?

I am dependent.

I am dependent on people being kind.

I am dependent on a safety net to pick me up if I am ill.

I am dependent on adequate housing.

I am dependent on some validation.

We are all dependent: it is just more visible in some cases than others.

'some autistic children learn language in a range of inherently atypical ways, including without neurotypical joint attentional skills' journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13… editorial on gestalt language (& what if autistics generally learn in 'inherently atypical ways' given the opportunity?)

I’m blind & I just had to say my voting choices out loud in the middle of my polling station.

Voting is inaccessible for many blind & visually impaired people.

Blind citizens deserve accessible, private & independent participation in democracy.
#DogsAtPollingStations

Fellow autistics, what are some of your special interests? Feel free to infodump below

Would you like to see something joyous?
Now I’m not a believer in rewards for high marks, attendance or any of that. I happen to know that Small Boy got this for being kind, caring and lovely to someone who was having a really tough time and frankly, I’m ok with that. 🥰

Letting go of stuff so we can let our instincts be heard again..
🎈❤️

Twitterati
In this months writing news, Draft 1 of Book 5 is complete finally. It's been a painful process, writing about Racism, but an important one both personally and professionally.
Now, a short break before I move on to the 2nd draft before the summer
#StrongerTogether

It baffles me on a daily basis how little detail non-autistic people require to make decisions, answer questions, commit to things, or say yes to something, and how little information they provide when asking these things. I need to know exactly when, where, how, why and what!

'Critics argue that by emphasizing individual factors over structural ones, CBT may inadvertently marginalize those who already face systemic challenges due to race, sexuality, or other stigmatized identities.'

madinamerica.com/2023/09/can-in…

A great #NATPMentalhealth event today with our esteemed partners the Anna Freud . Our very own Dr Ruth Moyes chairs the final panel with Co - lead Dr Georgia Pavlopoulou . Chris Atkins, Venessa Bobb-Swaby, Alexis Quinn, Ann Memmott, Hasan Wasir and Andrew Carpenter

We're delighted to launch our #EmpowerAutisticTravel project researching autistic people's experiences of travel and transport in the UK. It has been made possible thanks to support from Motability Foundation. Read more and find out how you can get involved 👉🏽 bit.ly/3QtQZPN

This is well worth a watch.
#existential

Interesting, yet familiar symptoms. Long Covid?
#hypermobility

#AutismAcceptance
#AutismAwareness

On the last day of April,

We want to share that the chosen non problematic symbol for Autism is the golden infinity.

The puzzle piece is problematic.

Any organization using it to represent Autism is not listening to the Autistic Community

Focus on the big issues and don’t lose your energy on fighting the small ones that distract you.
#Politics

We are the very roots we are entangled in. Give those roots some room to grow.

#existential

Our new paper led by Sarah is out today in Autism In Adulthood!

It shows that facial expressivity differences in autism are related to less favorable first impressions formed by non-autistic people, particularly in a job interview context.
liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/au…

I want to say something to the people with mental health conditions that have got in touch with me worried / panicked about the govt news on possible benefits changes... NOTHING HAS HAPPENED.

- The govt has put out a green paper. That is an EARLY STAGE consultation document.…

I saw someone walking their cat this morning. Not on a harness, it was just calming trotting alongside them down the road. Well, that’s made my week! 🐈🥰😆 #CatsLover #Neurodivergent