Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics

YouTube video by Sky News Terminal cancer 'wasn't picked up as quick' because of learning disabilities

One story that highlights this reality is that of Annabell Downey, a woman with a learning disability whose cancer was diagnosed late because her concerns were not taken seriously.

Listen to her story here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOo8...

At SEMA, we are committed to shining a light on these inequalities and calling for healthcare that listens, respects, & acts with urgency for every neurodivergent person. This is the second year of the new United by Unique campaign, and we stand with everyone whose concerns are too often overlooked.

In fact, most people with severe learning disabilities or Down syndrome die within four years of diagnosis, compared to nine years for those without.

Latest studies show that people with learning disabilities are about half as likely to be referred for urgent investigation, even when they show red-flag symptoms that could indicate cancer. By the time their condition is diagnosed, the disease is often more advanced and harder to treat.

Our symptoms are often overlooked, concerns dismissed, and our voices not believed, which can lead to delayed diagnosis and unnecessary suffering.

Differences in interoception can also lead to misunderstanding, or worse, mismanagement of treatment.

A cream-coloured poster from SEMA (Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics) marking World Cancer Day, 4th Feb 2026. A purple cancer awareness ribbon is shown in front of a small globe at the centre. In the softly blurred background, two people are smiling together. The poster includes text explaining that people with learning disabilities are about half as likely to be referred for urgent cancer investigation even when showing red-flag symptoms, leading to later diagnosis and poorer outcomes, with many people with severe learning disabilities or Down syndrome dying within four years of diagnosis compared to nine years for others. The poster ends with the hashtag #ChangeNeedsAllOfUs and the website sema.scot.

Today is World Cancer Day and at SEMA we cannot ignore who is being left behind. For Autistic people and those with learning disabilities, cancer care comes with extra barriers.

#WorldCancerDay #UnitedByUnique #Neurodiversity #LearningDisabilities #CancerAwareness #SEMA

The Cycle of Victimisation Lived Experience, TW: Pain, Physical Harm, Trauma - SEMA.Scot As far back as I can remember, whenever I spoke up about racial experiences, it was all my fault, always wrong of me to say anything, and I was and […]

This week is a prompt. The work is ongoing!

You can also read our article on The Cycle of Victimisation Lived Experience, TW: Pain, Physical Harm, Trauma by Maryam here: sema.scot/the-cycle-of...

It could be a moment of exclusion, or a moment of support that made a difference.

🔹 Comment or DM us.

🔹 If you work in a school, charity, NHS, or business in Scotland and want help turning listening into action, get in touch. We can help you build safer, fairer, and more culturally aware practice.

🔹 Inviting more people to share their stories so we can push for meaningful change across workplaces, education, and public services

A simple but powerful action you can take today

🔹 Share one moment you have seen or experienced that shows why change needs all of us.

🔹 Supporting carers and community groups facing cultural and systemic barriers to support
🔹 Providing training, consultation, and space for organisations to learn how to include racialised neurodivergent people with respect and care

These voices are not rare. They are our communities, right here in Scotland.

Here is what we are doing this week and beyond

🔹 Sharing real experiences from racialised Autistic people and allies, not just abstract ideas

Last year, we heard from people who had been the only racialised person in a room, on a placement, or in a care setting.

Their stories showed how mental health, dignity, and job security can erode when systems or people in power do not understand lived realities.

We also notice one thing that keeps coming out of our discussions from the Autistic Adult Support Fund consultation is just how much support for Autistic individuals lacks racial equality.

A poster by SEMA (Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics) for Race Equality Week 2026, dated 2–8 February 2026. The background shows a diverse group of smiling people in soft focus. Overlaid text explains that being the only racialised autistic person in a room can risk dignity, safety, and employment, that daily microaggressions cause burnout and withdrawal, and that job security should mean respect, belief, and protection. It states that the harm is real and that the problem is systems protecting power rather than people. The poster ends with the message “racialised Autistic lives deserve better,” the hashtag “#ChangeNeedsAllOfUs,” and the website “sema.scot.”

At SEMA, we see how racism intersects with neurodivergence, culture, and faith. It shapes what people feel safe to say, how they are treated at work, and whether they are included in services, schools, or community spaces.

#ChangeNeedsAllOfUs
#RaceEqualityWeek
#SEMA
#RacialisedAutistics
#Scotland

Last month, I ran a training with Rainbow Muslim Women Group, and going through the session afterwards some things really stuck with me.

Watch complete video here for my reflections: www.instagram.com/p/DULkR_mlJoz/

- @thendeducator.bsky.social

#DestigmatiseAutism #AutisticTrainer #Autism

This community conversation was made possible through the funding given by The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland

#AutisticVoices #InclusiveTraining #Awareness #Community #Reflection #MakeChange
#ChallengingNormal

It was incredibly heartening to see the impact and reminded me why these conversations matter. I’m so grateful to everyone who engaged so openly and honestly.

What conversations do you think we need to have more of?

Hearing how much the session resonated really stayed with me. Some highlights:

• A change in their perceptions of autism
• Exploring what we often call ‘normal’
• Moments of empathy and self-reflection
• Challenging the language we use
• And most of all, people want more

I delivered the introduction to community training sessions on 26th Dec and 7th Dec with two ladies' groups at Rainbow Muslim Women's Group, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

My Barbie often lost a shoe, had clothes on back to front (I still accidently wear cloths inside out like today!) and loved her Vespa and Jeep. Barbie was autistic then too.

~ @thendeducator.bsky.social

We had one SEMA member telling us how how plastic dolls freak them out and never played with them as a child. So there is that! 👇🧵

Even in Scotland, healthcare practitioners need anti-racism training on how to assess, treat and support racialised autistics.

In the end, I wanted to add, dolls aren't everyone's cup of tea. 👇🧵

About consulting racialised people about this model, I am not sure what happened there, but I am glad they chose her to be non-white. This is after me being told last week that "there is no such thing as autism back home". 👇🧵

I disagree, the autistic Barbie represented only high support needs autistics. Mattel did well representing me, a late diagnosed south Asian female. They also made me feel connected to other autistics who use AAC devices & apps full time, removing the mislabeling of 'mildly' & 'severely' autistic 👇🧵

I agree, accessories should be available to every Barbie, not just one specific model. Just like in real life we should have reasonable adjustments & flexible care for all and not just those that are seen or heard. But the flappy hands & arms and the slightly shifted gaze isn't an add on accessory👇🧵

We are mocked for not being 'normal'- because we flap our hands in excitement, or can't walk straight (or in heels), or don't look at the person we are speaking to. 👇🧵

Many of us, as adults, use Loops or Flares (and often lose them, too).

Standing out is dangerous. This has been coded into generational trauma. 👇🧵

The taboo of wearing headphones because it looks weird. Coming out autistic, or unmasking, is not an option for many Black, Brown. Asian folks within their own families & communities. Asking for adjustments such as softer lighting or quieter environments can be perceived as being difficult or rude👇🧵

"Sit still". Many of the female participants in our community research project told us that their body language was policed growing up. Now, when I go to community spaces, I have a handful of fidgets (and am not afraid to use them). 👇🧵

(Personally, most of my wardrobe consists of geometric designs.) We didn't fit clothes; clothes fit us.

Fidgeting- especially as someone gendered as female, this was tough growing up (and now I openly push back). No fidgeting, rocking, twitching, or leg shaking. 👇🧵