spectrum 10k
During my time in the Autistic community, I often heard murmurings of eugenics projects, but in all honesty, I was unaware of the reality of just how many sought to eradicate Autistic people. Perhaps then you can understand just how upsetting Spectrum 10k has been; not just for me, but
Autistic Rights
In the summer of 2021, it was announced that a new study would be seeking the DNA of 10,000 Autistic people and their families. They wanted to do this to look at co-occurring conditions amongst Autistic people and improve our wellbeing. Great right? Wrong. Upon further scrutiny, it became
spectrum 10k
CW: Termination of pregnancies, amniocentesis, pre-natal testing, eugenics Edit: This is just a focus group at this point, but it is terrifying none-the-less. Spectrum 10k is being run by a team from the Autism Research Centre (ARC) attached to the University of Cambridge. The scandalous research project has been a
Addiction
When we consider harm reduction strategies for drug-users, we often think about education on the safer use of drugs. Things such as safer injection practices and "tasting the hit" to reduce accidental overdoses. While things such as safe consumption rooms and needle exchanges can reduce a lot of
Addiction
This research essay delves into the lack of clear clinical guidance on the support of Neurodivergent substance users and some of the factors at play in Neurodivergent drug-use.
Autistic Rights
Over the years, I have come across a number of stories of Autistic people and the criminal acts they have committed. Often, I find autism part of the discourse surrounding terrorism and random acts of violence. There are a number of factors at play in the development of criminal behaviour,
Neuroqueer Theory
Nothing sickens me more than people who believe that being Autistic requires intervention. The idea that we have to "improve" an Autistic person's "skills" is in inherently ableist. Where does this ableism come from? The truth of the matter is that as we edge
Mental Health
Over the past decade or so, we have seen a surge in the awareness of so-called "mental illness". While the concept of telling people you are struggling has served a good purpose, the concept of "illness" has actually disempowered people who have these particular neurodivergences and
Autistic Rights
"We have to tear down these structures, not just at the surface where projects such as S10k exist, but also at the root... Autistic people are not some sideshow exhibit, we do not exist to shock and astound you. There is beauty in our existence."
Autistic Rights
It is perhaps fitting that Spectrum 10k has reappeared during the dark months of the year. Much like the cryptids of antiquity, it inspires fear in our community, and obscures itself from the sight of all who attempt to quantify it's nature. There are no "versions"
Autistic Rights
As you may remember from last year, Spectrum 10k was the project that "definitely wouldn't be used for eugenics" but had involvement from people with links to (you guessed it) eugenics. I won't bore you with the details of this project's history,
Neurodiversity
Of recent, I have been somewhat hyperfocused on how people understand their own identity, and our individual sense of Self. I have discussed in my book The New Normal how the Self is socially constructed from our interactions with others and our wider environment. I think, however, it's