We are looking to recruit an energetic, enthusiastic, and experienced Volunteer Coordinator to join our small, friendly, and ambitious team. This is a new role and one which will play a key part in our overall growth and development. The post Job Vacancy – Volunteer Coordinator appeared first on Autistic Girls Network ..read more

We are looking to recruit an energetic, enthusiastic, and experienced fundraiser to join our small, friendly, and ambitious team. This is a new role and one which will play a key part in our overall growth and development. The post Exciting Fundraising Opportunity appeared first on Autistic Girls Network ..read more

The Architecture Department at the University of Wolverhampton identified a strong likelihood that we have a high proportion of neurodivergent students who heavily mask their divergencies which, while enabling them to engage in mainstream higher education, puts them at significant risk of burnout and will be impacting their ability to get the most out of [...] The post The Architecture Department at the University of Wolverhampton | A Case Study appeared first on Autistic Girls Network ..read more

The book “The Autist’s Guide to the Galaxy – navigating the world of ‘normal people’” is written for neurodivergent people living among neurotypicals. Through facts, interviews, tips and tests, Clara Törnvall, diagnosed autistic in adulthood, provides the reader with insight into the world of ordinary, neurotypical people. Do you find it difficult to speak your mind, perceive details or find things that truly engage and interest you? Do you struggle in situations where others are silent? Do you use your imagination to reinterpret what others are saying? Do you think that most people mean som ..read more

Our daughter was a very happy baby and toddler. She was early to walk and talk. She made friends easily and played happily. She was full of sparkle and fun… until around year 4 at school. At this point she started to withdraw, finding the chaos of break times overwhelming. The demands of others to play as they wanted, the insistence on loud games and being pulled into conflict she did not want. It all became confusing and overwhelming. Her teacher said she was a confusing child, we had only ever had feedback of how bright, happy and gentle she was with others. Suddenly, things just didn’t mak ..read more

By Pippa Saunders Twitter/X: @autisticmedic Hello! My name is Pippa. I’m 24 and a medical student in my final year at Imperial College in London before I graduate as a doctor. I’m autistic, which I’ve always known really, and got my diagnosis last year with the help of my uni’s disability team! I unfortunately have an extensive personal history with what comes under the umbrella of violence against women and girls. I believe that some of this was targeted because abusers could recognise the vulnerability in my autism. This important but under-recognised intersection of issues facing wom ..read more

Isabella’s story We asked Isabella if she’d like to write something for AGN after we were initially contacted by her mum, experiencing a huge lack of support for her daughter’s needle phobia. Isabella had become more and more unwell, but all medical professionals said they couldn’t do anything further without blood tests. The problem was, nobody was supporting Isabella to be able to have the testing. From Isabella’s mum “She came home from university at Easter and after days of high temperatures she was told to go to A&E. It was here that an incredibly understanding Doctor listened ..read more

A parent and child exploration of school anxiety and how we’ve been tackling it By Joanna Hughes I’ve had a few requests to write more with my 11-year old daughter, Megan. This links to our first article on autistic masking if you missed it. I’m happy to oblige. I understand that enabling her voice to be heard provided an insight to the autistic experience which was helpful to others in better understanding the young people in their lives. It’s also been Neurodiversity Celebration Week, so it feels apt. And she was keen, so here you go… “My Autistic daughter LOVES going to school. She c ..read more

By Laur Charleston Hello! My name is Laur and I’m a Zoologist and pre Vet from the UK. Alongside my interests in animal behaviour, welfare, and medicine, I am passionate about autism advocacy. After receiving a late-diagnosis, I am keen to share my story and experiences with others to raise awareness (coincide with the highs and lows) of life with a Neurodivergent Brain. The first Autism diagnosis dates to the nineteenth century; The revelation that Females can too be Autistic commenced later following the prevalence of masking and an understanding that Females conceal Autistic traits better ..read more

– by Imogen Warner My name is Imogen, I’m 14 years old and in year 10. I was unfortunately traumatised during my primary school years and diagnosed with PTSD, which led to attendance problems for over a year and a half during year 8 and 9 – although ‘attendance problems’ may be an understatement, as I literally did not attend my school at all during that time. I’ve written this because I feel very strongly about attendance and how it is taught to students as something absolutely crucial, despite these ideals being unrealistic and oppressive toward neurodivergent students, such as myself. The ..read more