April 2025 Resources Round-up
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Children
Gráinne Warren shares a neuroaffirming reflection on the impact of Applied Behavioural Analysis on children
The Nurture Programme is releasing The Radical Parenting Programme on demand for calm, connection and co-regulation
The North Star and the Compass – blog shares the natural growth of her five-year-old son
Neurodivergent Parenting on why you shouldn’t tell everyone your kid is autistic
Neurodivergent Parenting shares their experience of addressing meltdowns by seeming to do nothing
Diversity Doodles considers what makes play ‘typical’
The Occuplaytional Therapist explains neurodivergence to children
Isle of Wight SEN Support challenges the use of profiling tools as as “a move away from referral for (Autism and ADHD) diagnosis
Creative Neurodivergent on the rollercoaster of parenting neurodivergent children
The Occuplaytional Therapist shares their tips for doing things differently if something isn’t working for you or your child
Kelly Mahler explains the impact of compliance’s anti-interoception lessons and the impacts on mental health
Neurodivergent Parenting on becoming comfortable with ‘wasting’ money and opportunities
Amanda Diekman looks at why parents may feel rubbish about low demand
Tanya Valentin explains monotropism as a strategy for protecting your autistic child from burnout
Unveiling Perspectives is providing free assessments of needs for Black children and young people, and documenting lived experiences
Alice Running on parent-carer blame, autism and the UK family court
Munira Adenwalla delves into the science behind handwriting
Spectrumy challenges the idea of countdowns to finish screen time
Autistic Parents UK are seeking people to join their Board of Trustees
SENDwise Hub explains why some standard parenting advice harms neurodivergent children
Boho Speechie explains how dyspraxic children are often mislabelled
Isle of Wight SEN Support wishes the experiences of SEND parents were more generally understood
NeuroWild on understanding coregulation
PDA
Neurodivergent Parenting looks at PDA and how to make accommodations
Laura Hellfeld outlines less-discussed characteristics of PDA
EnbyAutieOkie shares their PDA-friendly workout journey
PDA Parenting has released a guide to help families understand which educational setting may work well
Laura Hellfeld has produced a PDA signposting list
Education
The Occuplaytional Therapist challenges the underlying assumptions of school systems
The Autistic SENCO asks if we’re really there yet with inclusion in schools
Annie Ridout shares what she would do if she could go back to when her child started at a new, supportive, neuro-affirming school
Lily Hitchcock on the battle to get an education for her autistic daughter
Claire Waters looks at autism, school trauma and the natural world
Karenza Harding illustrates the neurodiversity paradigm in action at school
The Autistic SENCO looks at a neuroaffirming approach to education through flexischooling
Spectrum Gaming challenges the Department for Education’s assumptions around school attendance
Teacher Tom on admitting we’ve been fooled about schooling
Boho Speechie explains why a gestalt is only a gestalt if it’s naturally acquired and intrinsically motivating
Helen Edgar outlines challenges for autistic and neurodivergent families navigating the SEND system
Alice Bramhill shares her neurodivergent family’s journey from mainstream to unschooling
SENDWise Hub offers breaktime suggestions for neurodivergent kids
The Autistic SENCO asks whether there is a better way to describe additional educational support than ‘special education?’
NeuroWild explains why breaks are needed and should never have to be earned
Rewriting the Fairy Tale argues that children need support with attendance, not shame
Autistic Realms on embracing monotropism in the classroom and beyond
Holly Sprake-Hill looks at classroom environments for autistic children
The Autistic SENCO questions whether schools actually like children
Hvppyhands on being taught ABA as an educator
I CAN Network has published The Neurodivergent Students’ Guide to Starting High School
NeuroWild explains ways to support the development of children’s self-advocacy
Apraxia and Non-speakers
Shubha Balabaer on “non-speaking” vs “Unable to get his mouth to say what he’s thinking”
Niko Boskovic on managing the onslaught of sensory input
Fidgets and Fries on the distinctions between facilitated communication, spelling to communicate and the rapid prompting method
Raising Free Autistic People has been launched to support autistic kids who don’t fit into the dominant autistic conversation paradigms
Noah Seback asks for autonomy for nonspeakers
Autismdad explains how he underestimated his nonspeaking daughter’s intelligence due to apraxia
Jordan LeVan explains why AAC should be modelled on different devices
Use of Language and Pathologisation
Grove Neurodivergent Mentoring & Education on neuro-affirming language and avoiding the harm of neurodiversity-lite
Kieran Rose looks at how attachment theory may misunderstand autistic people
Robert Chapman examines neurodiversity and the myth of moral decline
David Gray-Hammond shares things autistic people don’t need in April’s Autism Acceptance Month
Shannon Des Roches Rosa busts anti-vaccine myths while supporting autistic people
Helen Rutherford explains how disability terminology impacts identity and mental health
Dr Joanna Griffin on disability terminology and why words matter
Helen Rutherford outlines how small changes in language can create a more inclusive world
Autism Goggles shares the language preferences of many autistic adults
Ann Memmott deconstructs the autism triangle
Aurora Consulting explores language around neurodiversity
Grove shares neuro-affirming language and avoiding the harm of neurodiversity-lite
The Neuro Wayfinder on why the ‘high functioning’ label makes the struggle greater
Lived Experience Educator reminds people who gets to define themselves as neurodivergent
Viv Dawes explains neuroaffirming language
Lived Experience Educator asks how it’s possible to be neurodiversity affirming if someone views diverging as negative
Autistic Realms collates neuro-affirming language and glossaries
Viv Dawes outlines how the medical/deficit model and its language is not neuroaffirming
Kieran Rose explains why attachment theory is so problematic for autistic people
Neurodivergent_lou looks at ways autistic people are often told to change ourselves
The Nurture Programme explains the long term impact of pathologising reports
Kristen McClure explains why ADHD and autism advocates must reject the “Make America Healthy Again” commission
Late Identification
The Autistic Teacher shares their journey of self-discovery
Aurora Consulting explains why it isn’t rude to suggest someone might be neurodivergent
Bella Ramsey describes their ‘freeing’ autism diagnosis
Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry of the Autistic Culture Podcast have produced Adult Autism Home Assessment: Our Definitive Guide to Accurate and Affirming Self-Identification
The Autistic SENCO writes about the autistic women who never knew
Emily Katy explains how understanding her neurodivergent brain saved her life
Melanie Deziel on when anxiety turns out to be autism
Autistic and ADHD Culture and Ways of Being
Aurora Consulting on why not to wear blue for autism awareness
Brita Nesse shares a challenge for World Autism Acceptance Day
The Autistic Teacher on why they want acceptance, not awareness
Neurodivergent Rebel explains why April can be a source of frustration and pain for autistic people
The Autistic SENCO on why she doesn’t like Neurodiversity Week
It’s That Parent asks if the neurodiversity movement is the new culture war battlefield
Annie Ridout asks if we need to say hello
AJ’s Brain explains stimming
Megan Neff looks at rituals and spontaneity as an AuDHDer
SENDwise Hub asks if neurotypicals should learn neurodivergent communication styles instead of the other way round
Pete Wharmby looks at why autistic people may struggle with misunderstanding other autistics
Reframing Autism shares autistic experiences of eye contact
The Autistic Teacher looks at why some autistic people need extra processing time
Chloé Hayden explains why being autistic is who she is
Kay Louise Aldred shares her embodied experience of autistic joy
Sasha Bellamy shares their experience of autistic joy
Sher Griffin explains cognitive liberation as a special interest
Viv Dawes is looking for neurodivergent artists, musicians and poets to work towards a free virtual event
Aurora Consulting prepares for Autistic Empowerment Month
Dr Megan Neff on being perceived and the many selves we carry
The Neurodiverse Connection team share their current favourite neurodiversity-affirming podcasts
David Gray-Hammond and Helen Edgar of Autistic Realms have produced an Autism & Neurodiversity Starter Pack
Angela Kingdon shares a poem on autistic culture
Aurora Consulting explains autistic interruption
Autistic PhD asks why it seems there’s a higher autism prevalence today
Ann Memmott explains why increased diagnosis rates are a good thing
Antonia Aluko shares her own intersectional experience as a Black Autistic Queer woman
Wellbeing and Neurodivergence
Dr Megan Neff looks at how humans are wired for connection and what this means for neurodivergent people
Autistic Realms has started an email list to share their resources and events
When My Brain Is Messy on sorting Lego to regulate
David Gray-Hammond outlines what he says when someone asks if they’re experiencing psychosis
Hester Grainger explains ADHD and burnout
Neuroinclusion has released a Neurodiversity-Affirming Regulation Workbook
Yellow Ladybugs explains how Survivor demonstrated co-regulation and trauma-informed care
Charli Clement on what that Survivor USA moment teaches us about regulation
The Occuplaytional Therapist on tangible things when you’re feeling overwhelmed
Laura Hellfeld reframes what going to bed means
Dr Megan Neff on rupture and repair and finding our way back to connection
Patrick Casale shares sleep advice for autistic brains
Autistic PhD has produced a neurodivergent sleep guide
Neurodivergent_lou explains how much energy it takes to exist as an autistic person
Kristen McClure explains why self-validation matters for ADHD minds
SENDwise Hub has created self-advocacy templates for work, school and at the doctor’s
Dr Megan Neff’s Autistic Burnout Workbook is now available
Autistic Flair outlines ways in which autistic folks accommodate allistics
Sonny Hallett has updated their loops of concern self-help guide for rumination and inertia
Laura Hellfeld on context eating: Why selective eaters prefer specific foods in specific situations
Dr Alice Nicholls is launching an Authenticity Basecamp support programme for adults in autistic burnout
Neurodivergent_lou outlines ways to respond to autistic meltdowns
Autism Goggles explains rejection sensitivity
Viv Dawes responds to Wes Streeting’s comment that young people are being over-diagnosed
Neurodivergent_lou argues autistic burnout is more dangerous than we’ve allowed ourselves to realise
Viv Dawes on the need for community and interdependence
Patrick Casale offers prompts to reflect on internalised ableism
Patrick Casale shares eight boundaries he’s set since learning he’s autistic
Rich Pink argues that being neurodivergent gets harder with age
The Autistic SENCO explains neurodivergent shutdown
David Gray-Hammond looks at autistic masking and how to stop doing it
Alice Running asks what is an autism diagnosis for?
Hannah Harris explains why “I will not let ADHD define me or use it as an excuse” is the most harmful thing you can ever say to yourself
Autistic adults and parents share their experiences of ABA
Viv Dawes on neurodivergence and addiction
Devon Price has released Unmasking for Life
Bridgette Hebert Hamstead looks at why we need to start talking about aging and neurodivergence
The Autistic Teacher on the critical need of teaching autistic people boundaries
Aurora Consulting on the importance of timely diagnosis for autistic people
Neurodivergent_lou highlights seven irritability triggers for autistic people
Viv Dawes criticises plans to make it far harder for autistic people to claim PIP
ND Perspective looks at the impact of PIP reforms on neurodivergent people
OT Rach gives an occupational therapy and lived experience perspective on benefit changes
Kelly Mahler on the impact of compliance on mental health
Neurodivergent-Affirming Practice
Lindsey Mackereth is urging professionals to help prevent suicides by screening for highly masked autism in adults
Aurora Consulting challenges neuroaffirming training which doesn’t promote neurodivergent voices
Therapist Neurodiversity Collective explains why learning to mask isn’t a successful intervention outcome for autistic children
David Gray-Hammond is petitioning for the NHS to assess for ADHD as a standard part of autism assessments due to the high rates of co-occurrence
Kelly Mahler outlines five ways interoception can update mental health approaches
Karenza Harding has published The Neuro-Affirming Self-Compassion Workbook for autistic people and therapists
Jennifer Gledhill looks at how psychologists can challenge and shift stereotypes surrounding autism
Gráinne Warren on adapting the therapy not the child
Emma Nielson shares their perspective of working on the Culture of Care Programme
Onwards and Upwards Psychology looks at what makes it so hard for professionals to embrace the neurodiversity paradigm
Danielle Aubin explains why someone being an autistic therapist isn’t enough to ensure they’ll be affirming
Open Future Learning on why disabled people need support not reward plans
The Neurodiversity Affirmative Child Autism Assessment Handbook is released this month
SENDwise Hub has launched a shop for affirming resources
Chelsea Luker explains why she doesn’t promote independence and what she focuses on instead
Work and Employment
Spectrumy on why many ADHDers find themselves self-employed in adulthood
The Black Dyspraxic explains ways to overcome concentration challenges at work
Sophie Longley looks at career grief: Navigating loss and reinvention as a late-diagnosed autistic person
Cortney Gensemer on requesting workplace and educational accommodations
Neurodivergent Health
Emily Duffy Therapy shares her experience of endometriosis and adenomyosis
Autistic advocates have produced infographics to help differentiate between burnout and PANS or PANDAS
AUsome Training explains differences in autistic people’s eyesight
Laura Hellfeld shares questions to ask your care provider when receiving a new medical diagnosis
The Ehlers-Danlos Society explains how EDS is inherited
RDs for Neurodiversity looks at similarities beween orthorexia and OCD
Kristen Hovet and Dr. Michael Lenz discuss the links between ADHD and autism, and fibromyalgia and other health conditions
Autistic Realms has collated menopause and perimenopause resources
The Fibro Show explains what fibromyalgia feels like
Emma Barratt on the links between neurodivergence and connective tissues
Research
Ann Memmot rounds up March’s autism research
The Neurodiversity Matters Podcast speaks to Damian Milton about double empathy and autistic worlds
Dr Jessica Eccles uncovers brain mechanisms behind the connection between joint hypermobility and anxiety
Exploring the Social and Emotional Impact of Puberty and Adolescence on Autistic People Assigned Female at Birth
Family reflections on traumatic school experiences leading to home education
Sitting with invisible difference: Psychoanalytics and autism
Autistic identity: A systematic review of quantitative research
Neurodivergent Menopause: Understanding the Unique Challenges for Autistic AFAB Individuals
Jade Farrington - Neurodivergent Counsellor and Rewind Trauma Therapist 
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