Neurodiversity
This article was co-authored by David Gray-Hammond and Tanya Adkin Trigger Warning: Injustice, professionals, Autistic suffering, mentions of theory of mind, weak central coherence, and older autism theory. We often sit and have conversations about our work. We never cease to be astounded at the lack of basic autism knowledge
Trauma
Below is a survey on Autistic people and substance use. The aim is to collate data anonymously on the use of drugs and alcohol in the Autistic community, and use that data to write a report that will be published on this website. The hope is that these insights may
Neurodiversity
This article was co-authored between David Gray-Hammond and Tanya Adkin Trigger Warning: Injustice, mental health, systemic oppression, minority stress, fabricated and induced illness, stigma. "The state creates the rules and dictates the processes to be followed: processes that fragment, silo, and compartmentalise, and in doing so, generate the complexity
Autistic Community
Why do interventions such as Applied Behavioural Analysis and Positive Behavioural Support exist? Why is it that our world uses neurotypicality as the standard from which neuronormativity is drawn? Fundamentally, I believe that it comes down to the double empathy problem. Autistic people have a different style of communications to
Neurodiversity
When considering the landscape of mental health, we also have to consider the normalisation of stigma and the dehumanisation of those who are struggling. Since the advent of psychiatric medicine, mental health concerns have been described in pathological language. What if we used the language of the neurodiversity paradigm? How
Autism
What is Autistic joy? Is it different to neurotypical joy? Honestly, I can't answer the second question. I am Autistic, and always have been. The neurotypical mind is a puzzle I can not solve. I can however discuss what is Autistic joy is to me. Inspired by the
Addiction
They say in life that nothing is certain, but if anything is, then it's the fact that shame will deny us entry into recovery. I'm going to consider this from the perspective of addiction recovery, although it applies to recovery from any psychological trauma. I merely
Trauma
As many of you know if you have followed this website for a period of time, I am in recovery from addiction and psychosis. I have spoken extensively of my experiences from when these things were in an active state for me, but today I want to zoom in on
Healthcare
This article is not intended as medical advice, please speak to your prescriber for any medical questions pertaining to medication. This article is something of a survival guide based on my own experiences, other's experiences may differ. Recently I started a new medication on the advice of my
disability
Today I am 6 years sober from addiction. During those six years I have learnt many lessons, but in this reflection I would like to consider something that has played on my mind for the past three years of my advocacy work. Inspiration. While not overtly a bad thing, it
Autistic Rights
April 2nd. It's a day that so many of us dread. For as long as "world autism day" has existed, it is a day where (much like every other day) adherents of the pathology paradigm do their best to drown out the voices of those that
Autistic Pride
I have been nominated for a National Diversity Award, positive role model- disability category. I am honoured to have recieved this nomination, and while I don't expect to win, I do enjoy reading the kind things that people day about me in their votes. If you wish to