Neurodiversity
Stimming: Why do Autistic people need it?
What purpose does stimming serve? Is it something we should be trying to stop? What should we do if stimming becomes harmful? This piece answers those questions.
Autistic Wellbeing
Autism
Unmasking The Impact of Alexithymia on Autistic Lives
This article explores the impact of alexithymia on Autistic people, challenging common misconceptions about their empathy and social communication. It delves into how alexithymia affects social interactions, mental health support, and self-image. The article advocates for a shift in societal attitud
Mental Health Treatment Rights
CAMHS: 20 children's lives lost since 2019
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) have been under immense pressure for many years. Declining funding and resources combined with increased demand has pushed services into the private sector, lowering quality and outcomes. Combined with this is professional incompetency from lack of training, this can be seen in inpatient
Healthcare
How the privatisation of CAMHS harms Autistic children
Child and Adolecent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are commissioned with the aim of supporting the mental health of children and young people and reducing the risk of harm from crises. In terms of NHS services, one might consider this a high priority service that should be provided with extensive funding
disability
Megan Docherty: A story told a thousand times
Get this article seen #MegansVoice #FreeMegan
medication
One Week Into ADHD Meds: The Shortage Is Dangerous
As I write this, I am on day ten of taking Medikinet XL for my ADHD. I am on a relatively low dose, and already seeing some significant improvements across my life. Something that stands out to me is the number of ADHD and AuDHD people who are unable to
Trauma
I'm an adult CAMHS survivor: Yes I'm still angry about it
Content Warning: This articles contains references to a wide range of subjects that could be difficult to read. Some might argue that in my mid-thirties I should have come to peace with the event of my younger years. Some probably don't understand why I write about CAMHS so
Addiction
CAMHS treated me like a nuisance, I still feel it as an adult
"My pain was not the sort of pain that deserved support. That was what CAMHS had taught me. My life became a monotony of blackouts and suicide attempts. All because services wouldn't support a little Autistic boy who was trying to navigate a cruel and uncaring world."
Autistic Community
Coping With The Summer Heat: By Autistics For Autistics
It's summer in the northern hemisphere, which can mean only one thing; we're all overheated and overstimulated. Give our changing weather. It's likely that these hot summers will continue, or even get worse. So, I felt it necessary to ask the Autistic community of
Healthcare
Autistic people and the experience of pain
When it comes to Autistic people and the experience of pain, there is a lot to be said. Many of us anecdotally report having a mixed profile of hypo- and hypersensitivity to different kinds of pain. Unfortunately, the experience of pain is not one well understood by medical professionals. This
Mental Health Treatment Rights
CAMHS: Can they really help your Autistic child?
In previous articles I have spoken extensively about the myriad ways in which Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) fail Autistic people. So, can CAMHS actually help our Autistic children? The truth is that like everything, different people will have different experiences. Despite this there are some significant challenges
Trauma
CAMHS: Coping with parent carer burnout
The campaign against Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services failures for Autistic children highlights the impact on children, but what about parent carers? Burnout, reduced engagement with professionals, and mental health issues are common. This can lead to safeguarding concerns, blame shifting