Dr Melissa Chapple's Avatar

Dr Melissa Chapple

@melissachapple.bsky.social

Primary Care and Mental Health lecturer at University of Liverpool. Autistic academic with ADHD. Interested in the wellbeing and social inclusion of autistic and ADHD adults. #AuDHD

1,368 Followers  |  367 Following  |  22 Posts  |  Joined: 09.12.2023  |  2.2035

Latest posts by melissachapple.bsky.social on Bluesky

If you're a non-Autistic person
& an Autistic person is telling you about something they experience, or struggle with,
and it resonates with you...

PLEASE,
🚫 Don't say: "Well, we're all a little Autistic."

βœ… Do say: "I find that relatable!"

we are asking you nicely, plz plz stop saying that.

15.12.2024 01:00 β€” πŸ‘ 689    πŸ” 166    πŸ’¬ 24    πŸ“Œ 12
Research Associate on the β€˜ICALD’ study:Manchester The post requires experience of conducting recruitment and data collection in large studies and previous experience of working with or supporting people with learning disabilities and/or people that care for them and support them.

πŸ“£ Post-doc position
Are you passionate about improving care for people with a learning disability? Come and work with us!
Details πŸ‘‡
Feel free to dm to discuss.
Please share!

www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...

09.09.2025 14:21 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
AI is bias with EAL and ND students

AI is bias with EAL and ND students

Ok @beilinglaoshi.bsky.social made it back thread of AI detection bias for staff development at universities :

First up one of the older studies its a good one.

backstage.anthology.com/sites/defaul...

15.08.2025 18:16 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 1
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Greater awareness behind ADHD surge, study suggests Study found ADHD is not becoming more common, despite a surge in people being diagnosed.

#ADHD IS NOT becoming more common

"Lead researcher Dr Alex Martin said it was likely to be a case of under-diagnosis of the condition in the first place."

That is what we ourselves keep saying. There are a lot of adults around the world struggling, not being recognised as ADHDers.

#ADHDAcceptance

05.06.2025 09:22 β€” πŸ‘ 53    πŸ” 14    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT! 🎨

Congratulations to Liverpool Autism Hub art competition winners!

A huge thank you to everyone who entered this competition - all the entries were beautifully done.

If you would like to see all of the entries, please follow the link: livpsych.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

30.04.2025 21:09 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

We've had more interest since posting here, but are still short on autistic men and gender minority groups

Please consider reposting to your networks

21.03.2025 15:09 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

For clarity, the people who take part will be both research participants and public researchers designing the project they take part in.

The total work will be 10 hours including both participant and researcher work. This will paid at Β£25 per hour in line with NIHR guidelines.

19.03.2025 16:37 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
A University of Liverpool research project advert. The advert asks if you are an autistic adult (over 18) who enjoys photography. We are looking for 8 autistic adults to co-produce a research project with us. One side details who can take part: autistic people over 18, fluent in English, not accessing secondary mental health services currently and no profound and multiple learning disability as defined by the NHS. The other side explains there will be 3 focus groups lasting 1 hour each and 1 one-to-one hour long interview using photographs and co-produced questions. There will then be 3 lots of independent work lasting 2 hours at a time. This will total 10 hours work which will be paid at Β£25 per hour in line with NIHR guidelines.

A University of Liverpool research project advert. The advert asks if you are an autistic adult (over 18) who enjoys photography. We are looking for 8 autistic adults to co-produce a research project with us. One side details who can take part: autistic people over 18, fluent in English, not accessing secondary mental health services currently and no profound and multiple learning disability as defined by the NHS. The other side explains there will be 3 focus groups lasting 1 hour each and 1 one-to-one hour long interview using photographs and co-produced questions. There will then be 3 lots of independent work lasting 2 hours at a time. This will total 10 hours work which will be paid at Β£25 per hour in line with NIHR guidelines.

πŸ“’ We are recruiting for the photovoice study detailed below

We especially need:
Autistic men
Autistic people from gender minority groups
Autistic people from global majority/racialised minority backgrounds

Screening link: livpsych.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Please share!

19.03.2025 16:37 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1
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CALLING ALL @liverpooluni.bsky.social NEURODIVERGENT STAFF AND STUDENTS!

The Liverpool Autism Hub is running an art competition for Neurodiversity Awareness Week!

We are so excited to see all of the creativity! How to enter:
livpsych.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

05.03.2025 14:49 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

We need a few more participants for this study, please consider sharing with your networks

Erin is also having a bit of an email issue, so please check your junk email if you sign up and don't hear back

04.03.2025 20:28 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you so much!

26.02.2025 20:01 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Uni of Liverpool research study poster for the project 'Exploring masking experiences between childhood-diagnosed and adulthood-diagnosed autistic adults' the poster emphasises we are looking for autistic people over 18. The study involves a screening questionnaire and an online interview taking around 40 minutes. Contact hlcwll29@liverpool.ac.uk for more details. Alternatively, there's a QR code on the lower right. The investigators are Connie Wilson and Dr Melissa Chapple

Uni of Liverpool research study poster for the project 'Exploring masking experiences between childhood-diagnosed and adulthood-diagnosed autistic adults' the poster emphasises we are looking for autistic people over 18. The study involves a screening questionnaire and an online interview taking around 40 minutes. Contact hlcwll29@liverpool.ac.uk for more details. Alternatively, there's a QR code on the lower right. The investigators are Connie Wilson and Dr Melissa Chapple

We really need a few more participants who were diagnosed as autistic in childhood. Please consider sharing with your networks!

26.02.2025 19:48 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Becoming an Autism Friendly University | Faculty of Health and Life Sciences | University of Liverpool linkedinyoutubeThe Original RedbrickUniversity of Liverpool on FacebookLivUni on InstagramL...

Please read below a blog about our latest Autism Hub event:
www.liverpool.ac.uk/health-and-l...

19.02.2025 19:05 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
On the top of the page is The Liverpool Autism Hub logo in a white font on a green background. Below this are 2 quotes from attendees of our latest Autism Hub.

On the top of the page is The Liverpool Autism Hub logo in a white font on a green background. Below this are 2 quotes from attendees of our latest Autism Hub.

Read what our attendees think of our Autism Hub!

19.02.2025 19:07 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

The advice always acts as though council tenants are the worst neighbours imaginable. The best neighbours we ever had were social tenants. In fact, I would swap our current homeowner neighbour for any one of our past council tenant neighbours in a heartbeat

13.02.2025 19:11 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

One of the most bothersome parts of house hunting is how full the online advice is of 'stay away from council housing' followed by tons of stereotypes. As someone who grew up in it and loved it, I had no idea how horrific the stigma was about social housing in the UK. It's shamefully disgusting

13.02.2025 19:10 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks! Saw this article today, healthcare is currently letting ND people down. Hoping more research follows soon into specifically what the causes are. Similar research exists for autism already showing the top reasons for early death, I imagine there might be substantial overlap

24.01.2025 01:25 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Picture of the book 'The ADHD Focus Friend: A Planning and Productivity Workbook' by Grace Koelma. It's a very light pink book with black and red writing on the front, and a colourful drawing of a pink-haired woman curled up on an armchair with a black cat, reading a book while listening to something through headphones.

Picture of the book 'The ADHD Focus Friend: A Planning and Productivity Workbook' by Grace Koelma. It's a very light pink book with black and red writing on the front, and a colourful drawing of a pink-haired woman curled up on an armchair with a black cat, reading a book while listening to something through headphones.

Didn't know where to begin with ADHD reading after diagnosis, but I started here and can't recommend it enough! It's half book, half neurodivergent life planner! It blends research, theory, lived experiences and advice to offer a bit of everything in an ADHD-inclusive format

23.01.2025 01:34 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

This is me, here looking for connections. Love to connect with folk interested in living environment and its impact on us. On understanding the experiences of mental health and wellbeing and public mental health. Also a wildlife, wild spaces and environmental enthusiast.

09.01.2025 21:09 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Never in my existence did I think I'd overhear someone unironically say 'but it's a spectrum though isn't it' in response to someone pointing out the glaringly obvious fact that autism doesn't lead to nazi salutes but here we are...

23.01.2025 00:59 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Video thumbnail

Still caught in a cycle of not knowing what to post here yet so sharing a video from my Instagram account on the sheer neurodivergent joy of this projector which I am currently obsessed with (it's Govee if anyone is curious)

16.12.2024 03:32 β€” πŸ‘ 14    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
A University of Liverpool research advertisement looking for a) adults who are ADHD but not autistic and b) adults who are autistic but not ADHD. 

The advert explains the study involves an online interview, where participants will be asked about their neurodivergent condition and specifically about attention, social experiences, sensory and educational needs with an exploration of stigma. 

Participants must be over 18, and can either have a diagnosis or be pursuing one and must speak fluent English. Participants are excluded from this project if they are autistic and have ADHD too. This project is a continuation of work from last year ran by Felicity Chilton, so participants who already took part shouldn't reapply. 

The researchers are Charlotte Burton, Felicity Chilton and Melissa Chapple. Interested individuals should email Charlotte on hlcbart2@liverpool.ac.uk

A University of Liverpool research advertisement looking for a) adults who are ADHD but not autistic and b) adults who are autistic but not ADHD. The advert explains the study involves an online interview, where participants will be asked about their neurodivergent condition and specifically about attention, social experiences, sensory and educational needs with an exploration of stigma. Participants must be over 18, and can either have a diagnosis or be pursuing one and must speak fluent English. Participants are excluded from this project if they are autistic and have ADHD too. This project is a continuation of work from last year ran by Felicity Chilton, so participants who already took part shouldn't reapply. The researchers are Charlotte Burton, Felicity Chilton and Melissa Chapple. Interested individuals should email Charlotte on hlcbart2@liverpool.ac.uk

πŸ“’ We are recruiting autistic and ADHD participants (see attached poster for details). Can be diagnosed or awaiting assessment.

For this study AuDHDers are excluded, as we're looking at people with autism OR ADHD, but AuDHD research will follow soon

Sharing appreciated!

13.12.2024 18:32 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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An Autistic Guide to Christmas β€” Authentically Emily Some people love Christmas and some people hate it. I imagine most of us who celebrate fall somewhere in the middle. There have been Christmases where I’ve felt so excited and full of joy. There was a...

New blog post: an autistic guide to Christmas!

Let’s see how Bluesky compares to the other place that barely showed these blog links πŸ™ƒ

www.authenticallyemily.uk/blog/an-auti...

12.12.2024 21:44 β€” πŸ‘ 68    πŸ” 33    πŸ’¬ 5    πŸ“Œ 1
Preview
There’s no such thing as an autistic mouse Animal models of autism haven’t helped autistic people enough. So why do scientists still use them?

What went wrong with autism research? Let’s start with lab mice.

#AnimalTesting #Autism #Health
#Children #AnimalResearch #AnimalWelfare #Science #Vivisection #AnimalRights #EndAnimalTesting

www.vox.com/future-perfe...

26.11.2024 00:33 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
Exploring potential benefits of social media in an autistic adult population.

Our team is collecting data on autistic wellbeing, masking and social media- if you are #autistic pls consider taking part
redcap.idhs.ucl.ac.uk/surveys/?s=9...

26.11.2024 21:20 β€” πŸ‘ 80    πŸ” 56    πŸ’¬ 13    πŸ“Œ 9
An advert for the Liverpool Autism Hub at the University of Liverpool, Institute of Population Health.

The advert is green, with a navy blue strip at the bottom containing the University logo in white.

Advert details that the hub is open to everyone looking to learn about autism and aims to be a safe space. The next event is Friday 6 December 10.30 until 13.30, at the School of Law and Social Justice for in-person attendance. The event will include how University campuses can become autism-inclusive, a discussion of our recent research, a discussion of what matters to you and what you'd like to see us research. The event is also a chance to meet like-minded people.

The advert contains a QR sign up code, the link in the post can be used for the same purpose.

An advert for the Liverpool Autism Hub at the University of Liverpool, Institute of Population Health. The advert is green, with a navy blue strip at the bottom containing the University logo in white. Advert details that the hub is open to everyone looking to learn about autism and aims to be a safe space. The next event is Friday 6 December 10.30 until 13.30, at the School of Law and Social Justice for in-person attendance. The event will include how University campuses can become autism-inclusive, a discussion of our recent research, a discussion of what matters to you and what you'd like to see us research. The event is also a chance to meet like-minded people. The advert contains a QR sign up code, the link in the post can be used for the same purpose.

The next Liverpool Autism Hub event will be December 6th from 10.30am and will look at autism inclusive campus spaces

Event is hybrid, so share widely. Link to sign up to either in-person or online is here:
livpsych.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

22.11.2024 20:14 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I'm Melissa and I won't get into Uni of Liverpool (did all my degrees there, now I work there...)

20.11.2024 22:12 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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12 Months of Autistic Books by Autistic Authors for 2025 Want to read Autistic authors more this year? We’ve got one for every month of 2025!Reading books is a fantastic habit to have, but what about broadening your horizons to include specifically Autistic...

Courtesy of @autisticbooks.bsky.social, I have picked out 12 books by Autistic authors you should totally read for 2025!

We've got great picks like...

- Stories of Autistic Joy
- Atypical Love (about ND love)
- Lavender Clouds (about Autism + ADHD + mental health)
- and more!

bit.ly/4fGcOGE

20.11.2024 13:38 β€” πŸ‘ 124    πŸ” 36    πŸ’¬ 9    πŸ“Œ 1

could my mutuals please repost this so I can find more of you from twitter?
I’m josefina and I tweet (?) about autism, history (esp. histmed & material history), higher ed, disability, visual arts, cats, accessibility, japan, etc.
I am currently grieving the loss of my Nala πŸ’” so please bear with me

16.11.2024 15:42 β€” πŸ‘ 16    πŸ” 14    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Young, autistic and ADHD: moving into adulthood when you’re multiply neurodivergent.

Growing up unknowingly AuDHD was more difficult than it should have been. So I wrote a book about all the things I needed to know for this generation of AuDHDers to benefit from! ⬇️

tr.ee/Iq6REy-s_V

17.11.2024 08:31 β€” πŸ‘ 128    πŸ” 30    πŸ’¬ 9    πŸ“Œ 2

@melissachapple is following 16 prominent accounts