Full meta: a story about writing a story

In this relatable blog, a member of the Reframing Autism team shares how the convergence of her demand avoidance, extreme performance anxiety, perfectionism, ADHD and insecurity almost froze her into complete inertia. She describes how she was able to silence her inner critic with self-compassion: “My inner critic was still there, as she will always be. But the more I began to peel back the layers and understand myself more fundamentally, I noticed another figure in the front row … she is still an indistinct, elusive construct, often overshadowed by the domineering and ruthless voice of the critic.  She watches me too but it is with unconditional love.”

Discovering Your Autistic Identity as an Adult: What Next? 

Whether you’ve had a “light bulb” moment when reading of other Autistics’ lived experiences or have realised that you share an uncanny number of characteristics with your Autistic child – Welcome! from a community of people who will understand and accept you for who you are. But what do you do next?

Establishing workplace adjustments: How I learned to advocate for my Autistic needs

Have you ever wondered how to articulate your needs at work? In this enlightening guest blog, Autistic Lawyer, Justine Field shares how she learned to advocate for her rights in a workplace environment full of practices, processes and attitudes that are shaped to fit the needs of neurotypical people.

Autism, Ableism and the Key to Self-acceptance

“We are taught, intentionally or unintentionally, to think that disability is a bad thing. From teasing at school, gung-ho attitudes to capability, and media displays of inspiration porn, right down to lacklustre workplace accommodations and social stereotyping, we are taught that disability is somehow not okay. In truth, this is BS,” writes Esme Jay aka Pixie’s Big Why.

Love Across Neurotypes: the beauty in meeting halfway

Founder of Finding Autism, Amy Cramb, shares the ‘sweet spot’ that can be found when an Autistic person and their non-Autistic partner meet each other halfway: “If both sides work their way up the wall through compromise and acceptance, they can meet at the top – the halfway point – where true connection, understanding, and even love, can arise.”

When Chloe met Riley: the power of neurodivergent love

Ahead of our Symposium on Autistic Relationships, we’re exploring the magnetic attraction of neurodivergent love. We interviewed the Director of Studio Misfits, Chloe, and her husband, LGBTQIA+ and mental health advocate Riley, on the benefits of being similarly (and differently) neurodivergent.

Ten Lessons in Love from Lucy, My Assistance Dog

Ten years ago, Autistic Autism researcher and multi-artist Dr Dawn-joy Leong rescued Lucy Like-a-Charm from the Greyhound racing industry. What started as a simple pet-owner relationship blossomed into a cherished symbiotic support partnership. Here, Dawn-joy shares the many gifts Lucy has brought to her life.

Shy Little Pixie: Unlocking the enigma of Autistic social anxiety

“When I am able to mask, I may make it through an hour, but invariably, my mask soon slips, and like Cinderella at the ball, I am left escaping in tears for fear of the ‘real me’ being exposed.” Chantell is a late diagnosed Autistic writer and advocate with ADHD and severe social anxiety. She shares her lived experience online as Shy Little Pixie, so others do not feel so alone.

Transforming allied health: The ‘how’ of neurodiversity-affirming services

Speech Pathologist Liz Baird shares how adopting a neurodiversity-affirming approach validated her personally and provided a way forward professionally. “Our social group is a chance to engage in a range of Autistic interaction norms, and I actively “unmask” – consciously disengage in neurotypical communication methods and model authentic connection.”