Written by Alex* This is the second blog in a trilogy challenging commonly held misconceptions regarding Independence, Resilience and Self-Advocacy. The author’s unifying theme is that the wellbeing of all children – especially those who are Autistic – is dependent on understanding and honouring developmental needs, within an attachment relationship. Relational safety, encompassing an individualised approach based in mutual respect, is the prerequisite for success. CW: relational trauma, suicide, ABA, intensive therapies, eating disorders, mental illness Everyone keeps wondering why kids toda ..read more

What colour is math? Have you ever tasted the number 8? Can you recall the smell of your favourite word? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above, you may have synaesthesia. Synaesthesia and autism are two fascinating phenomena that have captured the attention of researchers and individuals alike. While they may seem unrelated at first, recent studies have unveiled a surprising connection between the two. In this blog post, we will delve into the intricate relationship between synaesthesia and autism, exploring how sensory experiences and perception intertwine. Understanding Synaesthesia Syna ..read more

Written by Alex* CW: Relational trauma “Leave her to cry – she’ll never learn to self-settle if you are always picking her up.” “My 2 year old hates it when the swimming teacher submerges him, but if we pull him out of classes, we’ll just reinforce his fear.” “You’re fine, stop crying, just shake it off.” “Independence”,  “resilience” and “self-advocacy” are the buzz words of today – the characteristics and abilities we should all be striving to instil in our children, especially those who are Autistic or otherwise disabled by their environment. It is, therefore, a total paradox that chi ..read more

Picture in your mind: an apple, sitting on a chair. What do you see? If you answered, “Nothing,” you may have aphantasia. Aphantasia is a cognitive phenomenon characterised by the inability or difficulty to voluntarily generate visual mental imagery. Coined by Professor Adam Zeman, a cognitive and behavioral neurologist, aphantasia refers to the absence of the mind’s eye. It is important to note that aphantasia is not a disorder or a condition that requires fixing; it is simply a different way of processing and experiencing the world. People with aphantasia, which make up an estimated four pe ..read more

Written by Jessica Horner “Autism?! Are you sure you really want THAT diagnosis? You will wear it for the rest of your life!” My former doctor was not the only person to suggest I was seeking an unnecessary label. “You can’t possibly be Autistic … you act too normal!!” my classmate said to me at my high school reunion. “You can’t have Autism, you’re nothing like my eight-year-old niece?!” My neighbour’s declaration was made with seeming authority. “You’ve made it this far … what difference is it going to make to get a diagnosis now?” my psychologist once asked me, rather obnoxiously. For too ..read more

Hypermobility is a condition that affects many Autistic people. It is characterised by overly flexible joints and muscles that may lead to chronic pain. Those with hypermobility are at risk of suffering from joint and muscle instability, fatigue and poor posture. It can significantly impact quality of life, as well as making it difficult to take part in everyday activities. In this blog post, we’ll explore the connection between hypermobility and Autism, looking at symptoms, diagnosis and strategies for managing pain associated with the condition. Understanding Hypermobility Joint hypermobilit ..read more

Written by Karen Noble His attitude and body odour sent me over the edge, I opened the door wide to vent the fumes that lingered in his wake. I needed my oven fixed, but the serviceman’s stench roiled the contents of my stomach and his here-to-save-the-day smugness triggered a tailspin. When he chuckled at my reaction to the cost and delay for parts, I erupted into a white-hot rage, exploded at him, showed him the door, and slammed it on his exit, watching him stomp back to his van like a petulant child. A ferocious pulse of pain throbbed at my temple and a wave of heat flooded my body as swe ..read more

For too long now, Autism research has contributed to the marginalisation and stigmatisation of Autistic people, involving too few Autistic voices (even as participants) and refusing to attend to the priorities and needs of the community. Ultimately, despite billions of dollars having been spent globally on Autism research, we really don’t understand Autism very well at all. And, sadly, all the research that has been done has not been translated into tangible benefits for Autistic people directly – our mental health, wellbeing, and quality of life have not been positively impacted by ..read more

Written by Justine Field Last year I wrote a blog post for Reframing Autism about advocating for my needs as an Autistic employee. Reading it now, the optimistic vibe seems at odds with the struggle that culminated in my resignation months later. In my post I had included a table, a kind of workplace accommodation wish-list setting out the things I found hard and what I needed. Readers told me that they found it useful, which was very kind since I had stopped short of explaining how I would put it into practice. The truth was, I hadn’t figured that bit out yet. The table was my attempt to ca ..read more

If you’re an educator, you’ve likely already taught an Autistic person. And if not, then you’re likely to very soon! And if you’re here, reading this page, chances are that you would like to know a little bit more about how to support your Autistic students to thrive in your classroom. So, thank you! We appreciate you being part of the change, for wanting the very best for the Autistic students in your care, for being so invested in the wellbeing of your students that you are willing to search out new information to make their educational journey more fulfilling. We can’t support our Autistic ..read more