Isabelle Finn-Kelcey

Ah, I see. This makes sense - esp as it’s also extremely difficult to secure an assessment for either autism or ADHD! Integrative (NT- and ND-friendly) teaching practices - eg interest-led, #neuro-affirming - prob best/safest.

Aw, have a lovely Saturday

Empire of Normality - Pluto Press This is the rise of the anti-capitalist neurodiversity movement

Ooh, super interesting! Empire of Normality by @drrobertchapman.bsky.social discusses this issue in terms of the ever-increasing cog demands we’re all loaded up with at this stage of capitalism - just think of the Gove/Gibb ‘standards’ drive & data farming.

www.plutobooks.com/product/empi...

Monotropism Resources and Signposting | Autistic Realms Monotropism&Being Monotropic The theory of Monotropism was developed by Dr Dinah Murray, Wenn Lawson and Mike Lesser (2005) in the late 1990's and ...

Have you come across #monotropism theory in relation to autism & ADHD Christian? I think you would find it super interesting as it’s to do with attention.

Obvs ref to other ND-authored theory & research - eg re #doubleempathy - would also benefit this thread!

autisticrealms.com/monotropism/

Environment def super important. What do you mean by ‘fixed’ Katie?

Books | Autistic Girls Network Welcome to our library! You can now search for books by neurodivergent authors though and we encourage you to do this!

recommendations ❤️

autisticgirlsnetwork.org/books/

ND-authored books & books on ND YPs’ interests can be super engaging for ND learners (& fams & teachers!). Engaging texts - eg with fab ND rep - can bridge the #doubleempathy gap (eg between NT author & ND learner). Rewarding & helps fluency.

@autisticgirlsnet.bsky.social has a fab list of

So sorry to hear this. The amount of labour extracted from parents/carers of YP with SEND is just shocking - and oppressive.

Why Wes Streeting is wrong about autism and ADHD 'over-diagnosis'

Increased rates of autism, ADHD, and other mental health conditions are evidence of decades of unmet need. Wes Streeting is missing the point, writes Rowan Humphries-Massey

And caring

And also vibing

Eg from

@autisticrealms.bsky.social, @spectrumgaming.bsky.social, @autisticgirlsnet.bsky.social, @monotropism.bsky.social, @spcialndsjungle.bsky.social

Concepts such as #autisticburnout & #adhdburnout tend not to be on mainstream schs’ radar, but understanding is crucial to recovery.

I don’t know any fams whose experience fits Timimi’s description. Diagnosis brings validation ime. There is lots of helpful info eg from ND advocates, educators, ND-led charities, community orgs etc that fams can more confidently access when they suspect/recognise/know that their YP is ND.

Neurotribes is brilliant!

This is a great point. I had forgotten about Sukhareva.

Thanks for sharing this important work.

Another fantastic resource! ✨

Emily and Grace stand outside the old yellow stone and glass door entry to the Department for Education building, together holding a large envelope addressed to the Secretary of State for Education.

We need a national wellbeing measurement system to gather consistent data on the kind of support young people need. Our Young Champions just handed in letters urging the Secretary of State for Education to consider this. Stay tuned… 👀

Thanks Evan - I take your point. I asked about dyslexia because my impression is that in public discourse it is usually treated as a viable concept, despite being defined by its observable traits, whereas ADHD and autism are more likely to be questioned.

Aha - I have been reminded (many thanks!) that there was a text update to the DSM in 2022. No material changes to the diagnostic criteria for ADHD & ‘ASD’, however.

I’m not sure we can call properly implementing the 2014 CFA revolutionary.

thinks it looks implausible, that tells a story about their school culture atm? I do agree that it’s super hard for individual teachers to pull rabbits out of hats re inclusion if SLT aren’t valuing this type of practice. Also suggests that there are a few school-wide Code of Practice issues!

You’re absolutely right that it takes a shift away from longstanding approaches that can now be seen as disadvantageous to ND YP - eg in the light of dreadful outcomes. Depending on school culture, this shift will be easy or hard. I guess if someone reads the @autisticgirlsnet.bsky.social list &

Training for schools | Autistic Girls Network We have a variety of training packages available for schools, and we can also provide bespoke training adapted to your particular situation.

Lots of training available for schools, eg:

autisticgirlsnetwork.org/training-for...

www.annafreud.org/training/cou...

Neuro-Affirming Research in Practice: Supporting Autistic Students, Embracing Monotropism In The Classroom And Beyond | Autistic Realms Written by Tanya Adkin and Helen Edgar, based on the presentation we delivered to the National Autistic Society Professionals’ Conference in March, 2025. Sh ...

For sure, it takes planning and flexibility. If movement & other sensory adjustments are normalised, they won’t be perceived as sudden or surprising for YP. If sch env is less harsh in general, YP won’t need so much individualisation?

Fab guidance here ✨

autisticrealms.com/neuro-affirm...

School - Reasonable Adjustments | Autistic Girls Network Here are some possible reasonable adjustments that can be established in schools for neurodivergent pupils.

Fab list of go-to zero- and low-cost reasonable adjustments from the @autisticgirlsnet.bsky.social ❤️

autisticgirlsnetwork.org/reasonable-a...

Yes, this is very important. And especially, why do so many families seek assessments after KS2-3 transition? Are secondary schools perhaps not as inclusive as primaries?

This

Think you or your child might be Autistic? Explore Next Steps | Autistic Realms Whether you’re an adult exploring your own identity or a parent/carer supporting your child, you may be wondering things like: Is this Autism? ADHD? Somethi ...

autisticrealms.com/think-you-or...

Completely agree with Ben that conversations around neurodivergence can get messy. Luckily, many #neurodivergent researchers, professionals and experts thru lived experience are sharing #neuro-affirming info & good practice. Thank you @autisticrealms.bsky.social for your recent guidance for fams ✨