I’ve stopped apologising for being neurodivergent. Liberation isn't just "tolerance"; it’s dismantling an economy that demands we be "normal" to survive. We need a society where we are valued for who we are, not how well we mimic the "perfect worker." We aren't broken; the system is. 6/6

“Everything Failed Her”: A Whistleblower Speaks On Chanté’s Death And Why #ChantesLaw Matters A whistleblower opens up about what they witnessed

The death of Chanté was completely avoidable and this interview with the whsitleblower from the company responsible for her care shows just how avoidable it was

www.davidgrayhammond.co.uk/p/everything...

#ChantesLaw #ActuallyAutistic #AutisticRights #MentalHealth #Autism

Happy birthday Ben!

- Today is my Birthday!
I have autism and I officially
turn 29 years old. I would like
to receive lots of birthday wishes
from people around the world!
please Share/Like! to help
make my birthday
wish come true! ❤️

Is the purpose really unclear? Correcting an 80-year blind spot so that we're no longer condemning autistic women to a lifetime of feeling broken, anxious, and depressed seems pretty valid to me.
You don't receive a diagnosis unless you're experiencing significant struggles in very specific ways.

#Thread
If you’re wondering if you might be Autistic but ruling it out because some of the diagnostic criteria don’t apply read on.
Initially Autism wasn’t considered a likely explanation for my difficulties because I was married, employed, seemed to cope with change, and had social skills.

The NHS appears to have set up an Independent Review re: 'increased demand for mental health, autism and ADHD assessment and support across all age groups'. They are looking for people with relevant Lived Experience to join the Review as 'Partners' - important work! #livedexperience #autism #adhd

My experience is that undiagnosed neurodiversity - and the resulting trauma - can combine with culture and patriarchy to lead people to become abusive. They can't accept your diagnosis or that of their child because it directly challenges their fragile sense of who they are.

Trying to be proudly AuDHDtastic today. I told my 7-year-old what ADHD is and that I have it - and he immediately said, “Oh, I think I have that too!” He's absolutely chuffed about it so I must be doing something right. 🥲

Calling all neuroaffirming online communities

Do you run a neuroaffirming online community for ND people?

I'd love to hear from you if you'd like it included in a round up which will be published on Substack.

Details at www.facebook.com/share/p/17vn... or substack.com/@jadefarring...

I'm particularly keen to hear from more non-Autistic ones!

For anyone that needs to hear this. #demodex

A paper plate held in a left hand with four slices of white sliced bread toast, all with different spreads. At 12 o’clock we have just buttered toast. Going clockwise there is cinnamon and powdered sugar, then creamy peanut butter, then blueberry jelly.

Autism: my safe food is toast

ADHD: I require variety and novelty

AuDHD:

A sheep standing in a green field against a dark sky “YOU'RE NOT UNLOVABLE, AND NO ONE IS MAD AT YOU.” credit: @sinxline

New petition: Fund mandatory neurodevelopmental screening for all children Screening could take place in primary care, including GP appointments, health visitor reviews, and school entry health at key developmental stages. It should involve early, trauma-informed, and identity-safe screening tools, with clear referral pathways, follow-up support, and outcomes monitored.

New petition: "Fund mandatory neurodevelopmental screening for all children"

Deadline 1 February 2026, created by Ingrida Jogminiene

#NewPetition

I'm crap at spending and spelling and proofing things I right.

I'm crap at spending and I could easily spell diarrhea like that.

cure fascism, not autism

Casual reminder that the myth of “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps” is a cruel hoax designed to convince poor people from all walks of life that the injustices they face are a result of their own actions, rather than an oppressive system rigged against them.

A well known meme which is split into two halves. The top half features a person pointing to a board with words that read: "All we want for Christmas is..." And the second half features a board with words on that read: "A mental health ststem that works for everyone"

Who's with us? 🎄

PSA...

Disabled doesn't mean can't do anything. It means can't do certain very specific things without support.

Caring is an act of resistance in a system that thrives on indifference.

So… what if the claims of overdiagnosis aren't only driven by ignorance and a failure of empathy, but also by fear?
An unconscious worry that - without their privileges and supports - the broader diagnostic criteria might include them too. 7/7

Birds of a feather flock together and neurodiversity is hereditary so they have family or friends whose children are diagnosed with ADHD and/or autism.
But ignorance and stigma mean they look at them and think, “That’s not me.” 6/7

That’s not to say these sceptics go unscathed. Like anyone struggling without an accurate diagnosis or support, they accumulate trauma and shame. They struggle with addiction, burnout and relationship problems.
Education and affluence just make it easier to mask and survive without going under. 5/7

Except it’s not so easy if you haven’t found your niche, don’t look or sound the part, lack connections, or don’t have confidence.
In a UK reeling from austerity, Brexit and Covid, the cost of living with undiagnosed neurodiversity takes a huge toll on your mental and financial health. 4/7

They hear people who understand and accept their own diagnosis describe their difficulties and think:
“Doesn’t everyone deal with that? It's just the normal stresses of life. I cope without ear defenders. I overcome my social anxiety. Why can’t you? Just get on with it.” 3/7

These careers appeal to their strong moral compass and passionate interests. Their ability to identify patterns, “say it like it is,” and ask difficult questions lead to professional success.
They might get accused of being out of touch sometimes, but a lifetime of masking helps them perform. 2/7

Armchair diagnosing neurodiversity isn’t cool, but neither is recklessly claiming there’s an “overdiagnosis” of autism and ADHD.

So I just have some questions…

What if politics and journalism are especially attractive careers for people who are neurodivergent, but don't know it? 1/7

#adhd #autism

Hopefully it's not that for you. But probably worth exploring if an actual medically trained person has the same suspicions. I had quite a few really annoying symptoms completely disappear once I got it under control that I'd not even realised could be MCAS.

Seafood can be high in histamine so you could be reacting to that. Histamine intolerance and/or MCAS are more fun features of the Neurodiversity Comorbidity Expansion Pack - Extended Edition. I'm really hoping to not complete this collection, but I keep getting older and unlocking new fun features!