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New Free Resource: A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas second edition
Download your free 78-page ebook with contributions from dozens of neurodivergent people. Suitable for neurodivergent people, families, and anyone who wants to promote understanding and acceptance this festive season.
New Free Resource: Delving Into the Complexity of Unmasking Safely
As part of Neurokindred’s Thriving Autistically online wellbeing festival, Kieran Rose and I spent two hours discussing masking and answering questions from the Autistic audience.
Kieran began by conceptualising masking; busting some of the myths that surround it; and looking at why we do it. I then delved into how we might be able to start unmasking safely, and considered why it’s not as simple as a lot of the mainstream narratives suggest.
Masking is a topic that is frequently over-simplified to the point of being reduced to a caricature, and this all needs unpicking and recontextualising before getting to the idea of unmasking.
You can read our take on it here.
The article is free for everyone. If you’d like to download it as an ebook, this is included with any paid Substack subscription. It costs £5 per month (or the equivalent in your local currency), with no tie-in.
To receive new resources and access to my full back catalogue of downloads and articles you can upgrade to a paid Substack subscription.
If subscriptions aren’t for you then many of my ebooks are available individually here.
Children
Cerebra has published a report into systems generated trauma, exploring the severe harm disabled children and their families experience through interactions with public services
Katherine Kowalski shares her family’s experience of systems generated trauma
Helen Edgar has produced a guide to understanding the double empathy problem for Autistic people and families
Shubha Balabaer reflects on how disabled kids are simultaneously infantalised and adultified
Libby Hill has released the 2025 edition of ‘Developmental Language Disorder; a Parent’s Guide to Understanding and Supporting Children and Teenagers with DLD’
Tanya Adkin and Helen Edgar discuss monotropism and Autistic parenting
Spectrum Gaming have launched a new Q&A video series to add to their Autism Understood website for Autistic young people
Alexis Quinn explains what co-regulation is and offers three strategies
Chris Bonnello on teaching social skills to Autistic children
AUsome Training have created a page of Autistic-led resources for parents
Libby Hill explains why some children may repeatedly ask the same question
Amanda McGuinness has compiled a list of autism toilet learning book recommendations
Em Hammond has produced printable sensory preference worksheets
Libby Hill explores ‘picking your battles’ through a polyvagal lens
Jenny Loughran reviews ‘Young, Autistic & Burnt Out’ by Jodie Clarke
Mick Olds on using regret appropriately and constructively when parenting
Laura Hellfeld explains why sticker charts and tokens don’t work for most PDAers
Tiffany Hammond explores the different reactions parents receive from society depending on their children’s support needs
Jenny Loughran on the importance of teaching children that their ‘no’ matters
Rebecca Duffus & Lyric Rivera discuss how parents and educators can support Autistic identity
Elspeth Hetrick looks at how to help your child with intrusive thoughts
Tania Wieclaw shares a PDA bedtime strategy for when “my body wont let me sleep”
Laura Hellfeld discusses PDA, self-care, and the importance of neuroaffirming support
Education
The Mind Full Autistic on the hypocrisy of the education system that insists every minute of school matters while failing to deliver on EHCPs
Helen Buzdugan outlines the reality of trying to get neurodivergent children into unsuitable school environments
Stacey Innes shares how her son’s acute separation anxiety and emotional shutdown led her to create a nurturing, nature-based recovery space for children
Laura Hellfeld looks at bumpy vs spiky learning profiles and why the difference matters
Mick Olds considers the problems with teaching social-emotional skills in schools
Helen Buzdugan shares her thoughts on systems generated trauma in schools
Jess Doley on the long-term impact of school trauma
‘Unauthorised Absence: Parents & Schools in a SEND Crisis’ is currently funding on Kickstarter
Helen Edgar outlines a neurodiversity-affirming approach to inclusion
Neurodivergent comedians create a play based on the ideas of a neurodiverse group of school children
Jodie Clarke on fire fighting at home when children are masking at school
Helen Edgar explains what schools and parents need to understand about supporting Autistic and neurodivergent children
Jess Doley on what she did when a school tried to deflect accountability with a phone call
‘It Takes All Kinds of Minds: Fostering Neurodivergent Thriving at School’ is released this month
Chloe Webster-Harris shares their journey from struggles in education to shaping the future for disabled students
Apraxia and Non-speakers
Tiffany Joseph on families denying their non-speaking loved ones are ‘in there’
Jennifer Binder-Le Pape debunks myths about spelling and typing as communication
Bri Guerra on the anger of having communication questioned
Danny Whitty responds to the sceptics who try to invalidate his communication
Natasha Leahy considers when scepticism becomes silencing
Ben Breaux shares his interview with Dr Chris Papadopoulos
Tiffany Hammond outlines the harm caused when physicians don’t understand non-speakers
Tom McDonald explains how to help your child communicate using running commentary and AAC together
Tom McDonald on learning through play and how early AAC use can change everything
Tiffany Hammond discusses learning to stop waiting for speech and starting listening to what’s already being said
Neurodiversity Paradigm Exploration
David Gray-Hammond has launched NeuroHub – A collaborative community for exploring neurodiversity
Pasha Marlowe explains why neurodivergent is an identity not a diagnosis
Natasha Leahy on deconstructing normality through power, identity and control
Dr Desiree Jones and Steve Burns discuss neurodivergence and who decides what is ‘normal’
Ombre Tarragnat explains the meaning of ‘pathology lite’
David Gray-Hammond asks what illness is, and what it means for the concept of ‘mental illness’
Sonny Jane Wise explains why neurotypical people don’t have a ‘normal’ brain – but they do exist
Bridgette Hamstead on galvanising a neurodiversity justice movement
David Gray-Hammond says neurodivergence doesn’t require a doctor’s permission slip
Late Identification
Kyrus Keenan Westcott shares his experience of late ADHD diagnosis
Kaligirwa explains how it took a decade to get an autism diagnosis
Ana Cloudy shares the harrowing impact of an autism diagnosis coming too late
Lovette Jallow explores why late diagnosed Autistic women copy those they admire
Debbie Tung shares their experience of discovering they’re Autistic
Ann Memmott on the silent majority of Autistic people who haven’t yet been found
Neurodivergent Cultures and Ways of Being
‘But We’re All A Little Bit Autistic… Aren’t We?: The Collected Works Of Emma Dalmayne’ is now available
Thomas Delahunt & Dr Chloe Farahar on the importance of neurodivergent spaces
Nic King & Tanya Adkin discuss Autistic identity
Marion McLaughlin explains why the don’t suffer from being Autistic
Katie Munday, Simeon Thompson & Dr Sophia Christophi discuss being trans and Autistic, and breaking down the systemic barriers they face in healthcare and academia
David Gray-Hammond explains interoceptive stimming
Natasha Leahy examines Autistic communication, perceptual fields and neuroceptive gaps
Jesse Meadows on ADHD and the theory of everything all at once
AUsome Training has launched an AUmazing Autistic Adult Membership with courses and Q&As
vōx and Tiffany Hammond discuss redefining autism, advocacy with care, and returning to self
‘The Insider Guide to PDA’ by Sally Cat and Brook Madera is now available to pre-order
Kelly Banks encourages ADHDers to do it weird
David Gray-Hammond and Tanya Adkin discuss monotropism and lilipadding
Wellbeing and Neurodivergence
Ann Memmott on intersectionality, joys and challenges for Autistic people and their families
Pete Wharmby shares five sources of Autistic joy and wellbeing
Diversity Doodles explores how neurodivergent people have to disregard physical discomfort to avoid emotional discomfort
Sonny Jane Wise shares things they find hard about dating as a neurodivergent and chronically ill person
Maxine Share explains the experience of an anxious depressive attack
Teo Byrne has created a new resource to support with boundaries during the holiday season
Helen Daniel outlines why rejection sensitivity dysphoria isn’t what you think it is
Mandy Cook explores challenges Autistic people may face around clothing
Spectrumy considers selective mutism and co-occurring family trauma around the need to not talk about topics
Katie Munday on a year of advocacy wins and personal growth
Jen Jackson has released ‘Softly Wired: A Workbook for Autistic Women Living in a Loud, Chaotic World’
Emma The Autistic SENCO on designing your life around your neurotype
David Gray-Hammond explains Autistic burnout and conceptualises it as a crisis of connection
Allan White shares Dyspraxic holiday reflections on food and wellbeing
Kirstie McStay and Autistic young people look at surviving the festive season
Pete Wharmby offers tips for how to have a Happy Autistic Christmas
Teo Byrne has created a short guide on how to transition back to life after the festive season
Dr Megan Anna Neff looks at holiday marketing and neurodivergence
Dr Jaime Hoerricks on politeness as a weapon and how neurotypical norms enable coercion
Ayanna Davis explains why Black Autistic people experience racism even from white Autistic people
Sam Galloway and Allegra Chapman discuss divergent creativity in menopause
Anissa Ljanta gives an introduction to neurodivergent energy accounting
Dr Anita Goraya has produced an energy variability tracker for ADHDers
Ayanna Davis looks at why Autistic people are more vulnerable to gaslighting
Mati Boulakia-Bortnick explains why Autistic regulation is connection, not calm
Anissa Ljanta looks at how nature provides perspective, regulation and stim toys
Helen J asks if they “should” want to be more connected with people
Kristen McClure explains why sensory overwhelm and emotional regulation can be tied together
Luis Robertson shares his Autistic experience of disordered eating
Jenn Connor on the art of letting go
Mati Boulakia-Bortnick reframes Autistic boundaries as shared spaces
‘Unlearning Ableism: The Ultimate, No-Nonsense Guide to Understanding Disability and Unlearning Ableism’ by Jamie Shields and Celia Chartres-Aris is now available
Ayanna Davis explains why Black women aren’t allowed to be suicidal
Dr Alice Nicholls has released an ebook, ‘How to Break the Cycle of Autistic Burnout’
The Activistic Autistic describes an experience of Autistic and Schizophrenic catatonia
Dr Megan Anna Neff has released a safety plan resource to support people in staying through the hard moments
Neurodivergent-Affirming Practice
Wenn Lawson’s ‘Autism and Physical Disability: Dual Experiences, Challenges, and Inclusion Solutions’ is now available to pre-order
Jennifer on leaving autism treatments and interventions behind
‘Neurodivergence & Sex: Autistic & ADHD Edition’ on demand training is now available from Cate Morrow, Dr Erika Miley, Frank Floski and Dr Kade Sharp
Libby Hill shares what Cerebra’s report into systems generated trauma means for her as a speech and language therapist
Alice Tew and Carly Radford discuss whether you can be ‘too Autistic’ to be a therapist
Jacque Gibb encourages therapists to reflect on their privilege and how it shows up in the therapy room
Teo Byrne on the importance of presuming competence
Dr Chloe Farahar outlines the outcomes for the UK’s Autism Act 2009 review, held this year
Work and Employment
Charlie Hart has produced a briefing for UK-based people professionals on preparing for the 2026 Autism Strategy
Bridgette Hamstead on the 80% unemployment myth and what Autistic employment statistics get wrong
Brett Whitmarsh and Alex Lahmeyer on finding a workplace where you belong
Bridgette Hamstead looks at how to design conference schedules for neurodivergent needs
Remie Colledge on finding balance and co-creating adjustments for AuDHDers at work
AuDHDer Francis Higgins shares what he’s learned after 10ish years as a therapist
Neurodivergent Health
Madeleine Ayling looks into co-occurring AuDHD and eczema
Kate Szymankiewicz explains how her daughter was killed by a health service meant to help her
How the NHS’s Indicative Activity Plans are being used to block ADHD assessments and titration
David Gray-Hammond shares his findings after surveying more that 500 people on their experience of UK autism and ADHD diagnostic services
Helen J explores her sensitivity to the weather
Emma Lloyd-Buckingham has started a petition to strengthen regulation of supported accommodation in the UK following her daughter’s death
Research
Ann Memmott rounds up November’s research into autism, ADHD, lived experience and inclusion
Sandhya Menon challenges research suggesting people can stop being Autistic
Ann Memmott reminds researchers that the vast majority of high support needs Autistics do not want to be ‘cured’
Anne Borden King outlines the clear evidence of harm from chelation for autism
The Ehlers-Danlos Society looks at new research on genetic differences in people with hypermobile EDS
Dawn Adams shares a systematic review of research demonstrating that sensory aspects of school environments are linked to Autistic students’ learning and well-being
Dr Gemma Williams discusses research into how neurodivergent people in the UK feel about different neurodiversity-related terms
Use of Language and Pathologisation
Teo Byrne calls out the victimhood and inversion from Richard Tice and challenges his attack on neurodivergent children
Challenging the ‘Profound Autism’ Label: A 2025 AutCom Webinar, featuring Dr Steven Kapp is now available to watch on demand
Sonny Jane Wise explains the human experience of dissociation
Sienna challenges those who question people’s diagnosis
Kieran Rose and Dr Georgia Pavlopoulou explore the harm caused when people speak about autism with pathologising language
Catherine Crompton on autism diagnosis and the double empathy problem
Luke Beardon explains why he rejects the term ‘diagnosis’ for autism
Naureen Hunani on elitism vs accusing those with lived experience of anti-intellectualism
Nicole Igarashi explores the pathologisation and othering of Autistic children in horror movies
Jade Farrington - Neurodivergent Counsellor and Rewind Trauma Therapist 
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