Rhi

If it’s out of your hands, let it out of your mind too

Image: www.instagram.com/selfcarewith...

The autistic experience is just as human, valuable, and valid as any other.

Autism is not a problem to solve or a disease to cure. It’s a way of being and experiencing.
When we embrace neurodiversity, we create a world where everyone belongs.

6/… Tomorrow, let’s interrupt the silence. Let’s shift the narrative from shame and fear to openness, compassion, and action. If you see someone struggling, step in. Ask the question. Hold their hand. Stay with them. You might be the reason they choose to keep going. #SuicidePreventionDay

5/… This year, I commit to: asking the hard questions rather than skirting around it; to listen without any judgement, offering a safe place for every feeling; and to remind my friends and family that their story is not over yet …

4/… Because of these experience, I often find myself jumping to the worst possible conclusion when someone I love seems down. But I’ve learned this: the moment someone’s thoughts turn dark, it only takes one caring voice to interrupt that spiral…

3/ … I carry with me the ache of things left unsaid, the wondering of how things might have been different, and the fierce determination to never let someone else slip away feeling unheard, or unseen …

2/ … This means that I am now older than she ever got the chance to be. In the years since, I’ve also lost my brother, and those losses, alongside other experiences centred around suicide, have reshaped everything I believed about safety, belonging, and the power of a single conversation.

1/ Tomorrow, on Suicide Prevention Day, I’m holding space for everyone who’s felt the weight of hopelessness, and for those of us left behind when hope runs out. This year marks 10 years since I lost my sister to suicide, and this year I turned 33, the age she was when she died…

Tomorrow (10th September) marks Suicide Prevention Day. Whilst I appreciate that this topic is sensitive and can evoke real feelings of distress, it’s incredibly important to talk about. And so the next few posts from me will be centred around this, if you feel able to read them, please do 🌼

Focus more on the things that you can control and less on the things you can’t

Image: www.instagram.com/kaha.mind

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Image of a young girl looking deep in thought with her head down. Overlaid text reads - Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. Seeing neutral reactions as criticism. Constant need for reassurance. Catastrophising. Perfectionism. Intense emotional reactions to perceived rejection. Defensiveness. Intense shame or guilt over minor criticism. Avoiding situations due to fear of potential rejection. People pleasing. Negative self talk. Withdrawing from social situations.

For many neurodivergent people, what may appear to others as small rejections or criticisms are intensely painful. Find out more about RSD and explore support for neurodivergent young people over on our website.

Minnie just perfectly capturing how I feel about this weather.

Kindness makes life better – for others and for us.
This August, let’s fill the world with compassion, joy and hope.
Join us and share #AltruisticAugust 💛🌍🙏
→ actionforhappiness.org/altruistic-a...

2/ Today is Samaritans Awareness Day, and I encourage you all to reach out to loved ones, and be open to having honest and brave conversations around mental health 💙

1/ Raising awareness and opening the conversation around mental health and suicide is something that I am incredibly passionate about. It’s time to stop whispering about suicide and create spaces for open conversation and human connection

Sometimes I replay conversations for days

Not because I said the wrong thing - but cos I wasn’t sure how I was received

Because I can’t feel the room the way others can

And it leaves me wondering if I was too much, or not enough, or both

I know it’s not true, but it’s normal to feel that way

“It’s easier to blame a child than change a system.” Chris Bonnello

No one should feel broken for being themselves in an space that doesn’t recognise or support their differences.

A parent shared this when asked what they wish teachers understood about their child’s needs.

A simple but powerful reminder for all of us working in education and inclusion.

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Illustration of a person with closed eyes, resting inside a large orange flower with green leaves. The background is yellow with stars and small orange flowers. Text reads: “May you feel seen, even in the places you have hidden the most.” Picture by @joyfulsmolthings

“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” Simone Weil

We all long to feel recognised – not fixed, not judged… just quietly acknowledged. Even the parts we’ve tucked away.

How can we notice one another even more of the time?

🧡

#kindness #connection

Picture by @joyfulsmolthings

A much needed weekend reset, this view will do nicely 🙏

I love this! I especially love the detail of your name on your ID badge 🤭 🌼

“Without understanding their neurodivergence, girls may blame themselves for social difficulties or sensory overwhelm, further impacting their mental health. Being recognised and supported earlier mitigates this.” Cathy Wassell, CEO Autistic Girls Network.

Read more about autism in girls and our brand new online education offer in Cathy's article in Education Choices magazine https://bit.ly/EdChoicesAGN

YouTube video by Dr. Dan | Neurodivergent Psychologist Neurodiversity explained in 90 seconds (using polar bears)

I decided to describe #neurodiversity in 90 seconds (using polar bears, because why not!) If you're interested in learning more about #autism or #adhd check it out and let me know what you think!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhY6...

Neuro-affirming Language & Glossaries | Autistic Realms Find out about why language is important in the blog I wrote for GROVE Neurodivergent Education and Mentoring (March 2025): Neuro-Affirming Language &&n ...

Find out about why neuro-affirming language is important and why we need to listen to Autistic and disabled community voices
autisticrealms.com/neuro-affirm...

This years brief from the littlest one: Moana (and Hei Hei!), orange and flowers 🌼

2/ Starting with today, and a wonderful solo trip to spend some time thinking about nothing else except for Rhinos (of course) and my dear, very much missed, friend. How lucky I am to have known such a good human 🌻