Introduction to Autism, Part 4: The Autism spectrum is not linear

Very often we think of the Autism spectrum as a two-dimensional straight line. In this piece, Dr Melanie Heyworth discusses the flawed notion of a linear spectrum and puts forward an alternative analogy to capture the complexity, the fluidity of the Autism spectrum.

Introduction to Autism, Part 2: Next steps after a childhood diagnosis

The early days following an Autism diagnosis can be a bewildering time. Read Dr Melanie Heyworth’s top five tips for parents of newly diagnosed Autistic children, to help you on your journey.

A plea to diagnosticians

Dear Diagnosing Professional,

See those parents sitting in front of you? Yes, the ones with the shadow behind their eyes, the furrow on their brows, the ones whose worry is a palpable aura surrounding them as their eyes dart between you and their child, sitting on the floor at their feet. See that father who sits with his arms crossed, leaning away from you as if to escape what you’re about to say? See that mother who is eyeing you with a mixture of hope and fear?