And the room is filling up rapidly
This is unheard of for an afternoon session on the last day of a 5 day conference
Go Bernadette & Team!!!

Switching from traditional deficit framing of autism to neuroaffirmative perspective is a one way journey
No one who truly understands the neurodiversity paradigm ever goes back
Thrilled to see this approach presented at American Psychiatric Association American Psychiatric Association #APAAM24

We didn't attract a lot of neurotypical people oddly enough. It was the same for board game clubs, dungeons and dragons, a lot of the book clubs I've been in, and basically most things I've done that resulted in lasting friendships. I know my people, I find my people.

I have a tearful mummy devastated after finding out her 4yr old non speaking, disabled daughter spends her days at nursery strapped down in a chair 'to manage behaviour'

She has been at the nursery since September 2023, and is only finding out now!

#CalumsLaw

When people say 'we're all human' I think it's important to remember that some of us are treated as *more* or *less* human than others. Many groups are dehumanized and denied fully human status. So yes, we're all human, but no, we aren't all treated as such.

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.

Emotional instability is not a marker of personality disorder but a marker of pain.

There are many reasons for this from complex trauma to PMDD or an environment where one can't fundamentally be oneself leading to masking.

#TraumaNotPD #AutismNotPD #ADHDNotPD #PMDDNotPD

'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?)

Exceptionally high praise from someone I've really admired for their work for a long time. Thank you @Steven

Stirling Autism Research is exceptionally fortunate to have Monique Botha is actually they/them 🤷🏻‍♀️ as its director, a bold, progressive, visionary leader; excellent mentor to many; & rigourous scholar in quantitative, qualitative, & participatory methods. Eildh Cage & Catherine Grainger are big losses but future looks bright

Ann Memmott PgC MA 🌈 (She/They) Dr Georgia Pavlopoulou AT-Autism Anna Freud Brilliant team

If you think claiming PIP is so easy that even those who aren't actually disabled can get it, prove it.
Fill out the application.
Gather the evidence.
Go through the assessments.
Let's see if you can get even the lowest rate.
Go on, I can wait.
#PIP

BBC Question Time BBC iPlayer BBC One Please #FionaBruce ask Bim Afolami MP to address this attack on people like my learning disabled brother. #PIP

LDEngland LDE Self-Advocates Learning Disability Today RCN Learning Disability Nursing Forum Learning Disability Matters for Families Learning Disability Senate Rightful Lives Giselle - Adult Social Care Warriors Oppose Social Care Charging Waltham Forest Echo East London Guardian Ian Birrell Saba Salman

Interesting how many Laughing Boy reviewers pick up on the disrespectfulness of being called 'mum' by health professionals rather than your name. [So easily changed.]

AT-Autism Thank you. I very very much hope so - and soon! x

Dr Jay Watts You are the first person to noticeably stand up for us.

My life has been hell for 30 years now. I've survived so far but I won't survive if changes are made.

I tried to end it all twice last year. I can't cope being bullied anymore. This is beyond 'resilience'.

Thank you.

Please remember if you are a claimant:

This government is on the way out.

Nothing is to change with your benefits.

I/We will be doing a thorough response to the PIP consultations to ensure Labour don't do a watered down equivalent.

You deserve the benefits you are on.

Jay X

When does electioneering become a threat to public health?

Depression and anxiety make an easy target for Stride because he is playing off existing prejudices that sufferers face.

It is damaging.

My piece for Guardian Opinion on #PiP and mental health. tinyurl.com/754s93ht

Seeds of hope and a dream that can only come true if we keep fighting the good fight ❤️ Still lots of work to be done. You ve witnessed the journey, Vanessa x
Thanks to Anna Freud AT-Autism a2nd for continued and essential support.