Autism Oxford UK Limited

This #TimetoTalk day, Jack, on of our Peer Support Practitioners, shares some ideas about how to support autistic individuals to open up about their mental health. 💜 Talking doesn’t have to mean speaking: Some autistic people are non-speaking, or find it difficult or impossible to speak in certain situations. Some find it easier to communicate in other ways, such as in writing or visual formats. Some may use a specific object or word to indicate that something is wrong. Be flexible and open to different forms of communication. 💜 Think about where you are having the conversation: Is there a lot of background noise, bright lights, or other sensory input? Can you be side by side with the person, such as going for a walk, to avoid the pressure of eye contact? 💜 Help us to notice when we might be struggling: Like lots of autistic people, I don’t always notice when I am feeling anxious or low. People around me can help by noticing if I am more sensitive to sensory input, appearing restless, or stimming more. 💜 When we do talk, listen, and believe us: Autistic people often find the things that trouble us dismissed as ‘not a big deal’, or ‘just part of being autistic’. Take the time to understand our experience and do not question its validity. Remember that autistic people can be anxious or depressed just like non-autistic people. 💜 Initiate the conversation: Statements like “I’m here if you want to talk” or “my door is always open” may not be a clear enough invitation for some, myself included. I will question if they really mean it, if I will be bothering them or intruding, or if the thing I want to talk about is important enough. 💜 Don’t give up: Sometimes, invitations to talk come at the wrong time, or take me by surprise leading to a knee-jerk avoidant response. This doesn’t mean the invitation was unwelcome. Talking about mental health isn’t a one-off on Time to Talk Day, it’s something we should all build into our relationships on an ongoing basis. 💜 Mental Health is not inevitable: Although autistic people do experience high levels of mental health difficulties, poor mental health is not an inevitable part of being autistic! This #TimetoTalk day speak to someone about how you’re feeling, or text, write a letter, leave a voice note, draw a picture, send an emoji - whatever works for you. How do you prefer to communicate about mental health? Leave your thoughts in the comments below. #TimeToTalk #Autism #MentalHealth #Inclusion #Wellbeing #AutismOxfordUK

💡 Are we truly meeting the needs of autistic mothers in Perinatal Mental Health Care? 💡 Autistic mothers often face unique challenges when navigating perinatal mental health services- but are our teams equipped with the knowledge and strategies to provide the best possible support? Our Perinatal Mental Health & Autism Training Workshops are designed to bridge this gap, giving professionals the tools they need to deliver inclusive, person-centred care. This specialist training is ideal for: 🟣 Community Perinatal Mental Health Teams 🟠 Maternal Mental Health Services 🟡 Mother and Baby Psychiatric Units 🟣 Mental Health Midwives Led by Nicky, Neurodevelopmental Nurse Specialist, and Verity, Lived Experience Researcher & Trainer, this workshop will help your team: ✔️ Develop a deeper understanding of autistic mothers' needs ✔️ Implement practical, effective support strategies ✔️ Gain confidence in fostering truly inclusive care 📅 Secure your team’s session today- email training@autismoxford.org.uk 💜 #AutismOxfordUK #PerinatalMentalHealth #InclusiveCare #TrainingOpportunities #NeurodiversityInHealthcare #ProfessionalDevelopment #MentalHealthAwareness

Promoting Autism Acceptance in the Workplace 💼💡 Creating an inclusive and supportive workplace isn’t just the right thing to do- it’s also a step toward unlocking the unique strengths and talents of all employees, including those who are autistic. At Autism Oxford UK, we believe in creating and nurturing environments where everyone can thrive. Here are some practical ways to promote autism acceptance in the workplace: 🌟 Offer a mentor ‘buddy’ to help navigate workplace culture 🌟 Allow for flexible work settings and hours 🌟 Provide adequate notice of any planned changes 🌟 Clearly communicate your expectations 🌟 Offer different methods of communication 🌟 Provide opportunities for sensory breaks and alternative workspace options By embracing these steps, organisations can create workplaces that empower individuals and drive innovation. We should be working together to build understanding, acceptance, and true inclusivity. What actions has your organisation taken to support neurodiversity in the workplace? Share your thoughts below! #Neurodiversity #AutismAcceptance #InclusiveWorkplace #WorkplaceCulture #AutismOxfordUK

Did you know? 💡People with dyslexia and dyscalculia are less biased in decision-making. A large-scale study by Liam Cross, Gray Atherton, and Roderick | Nicolson found that individuals with these neurotypes demonstrate more objective thinking, reinforcing the value of neurodiversity in leadership and decision-making. This highlights why high-level decision-making groups should actively include neurodivergent members- not just to challenge groupthink but to benefit from their unique perspectives and reduced bias. Neurodiversity isn’t just about inclusion- it strengthens teams, fosters innovation, and leads to better, more balanced decisions. 💜 📖 Read the full study here: https://lnkd.in/gnFwavab 💬 What are your thoughts on the role of neurodiversity in leadership and decision-making? Have you seen the benefits of diverse thinking in your own workplace? #Neurodiversity #InclusiveLeadership #Dyslexia #Dyscalculia #CognitiveDiversity #DecisionMaking #DifferentThinking #InnovationThroughInclusion

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism 🌟 Autism Oxford UK is proud to be an approved provider of this vital training, developed in response to the tragic death of Oliver McGowan. His story underscores the urgent need for improved understanding and support for autistic individuals and those with learning disabilities. We offer both Tier 1 and Tier 2 training, equipping your staff with the essential knowledge and skills to deliver the highest standard of care. ✨ Stay informed. Stay prepared. Equip your team with the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful difference in the lives of autistic individuals and those with learning disabilities. As a mandatory requirement for all CQC-registered providers, it’s essential to ensure your team is fully compliant and ready to deliver the highest standard of care. 📧 Join this vital movement today! Register your interest by emailing: oliverstraining@autismoxford.org.uk #OliversCampaign #AutismOxfordUK #BetterSupport #InclusiveCare #TrainingMatters #OliversStory

📢 Join our team- We are hiring! 📢 Autism Oxford UK is looking for dedicated professionals to work with us on a subcontractor basis with flexible hours. We have opportunities for: 🔸 Autism Assessors 🔸 Clinical Psychologists 🔸 Peer Support Practitioners- individuals with lived experience of autism, whether as an autistic person, parent, carer, or spouse, providing support, guidance, and understanding to others on their journey. As a neuroaffirming organisation, we are committed to providing compassionate, person-centred support to the autistic community. If you share our values and want to make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you! 📩 To apply, send your CV to info@autismoxford.org.uk 🔄 Know someone who would be a great fit? Share this post or tag them below! #WeAreHiring #AutismOxfordUK #FlexibleWork #Neuroaffirming #JobOpportunity #JoinOurTeam

🌟 Did you know? Visual support tools play a vital role in empowering neurodivergent individuals. Here’s why: ✅ They are permanent, offering stability. ✅ Allow extra time for language processing. ✅ Help with preparing for transitions. ✅ Support independence building. ✅ Work across various environments. ✅ Reduce anxiety by offering clarity. 🗨️ Unlike spoken words that "disappear like bubbles," visuals remain and provide reassurance. At Autism Oxford UK, we are proud to use a range of visual support tools to make experiences more accessible and help clients feel at ease during their journey with us. For example, before an appointment, we provide: 📖 Social stories with photos of our base for in-person visits. 👥 One-page staff profiles featuring team photos These resources reduce uncertainty and provide clients with a clear idea of what to expect, easing anxiety along the way. 💡 Does your organisation use visual support tools, or are you a neurodivergent individual who would benefit from particular visual support? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments! #AutismOxfordUK #VisualSupports #Neurodiversity #InclusionMatters #AutismSupport #AccessibleCommunication #NeuroaffirmingPractices

Surrey Professionals: Autism Suicide Prevention Training 💡 We are offering FREE online training sessions for professionals in Surrey, supporting either children and young people or adults. This training, commissioned by Surrey County Council and delivered by Autism Oxford UK in collaboration with Making Families Count, aims to equip you with vital tools to better support autistic individuals. 📅 Remaining available cohort dates: Professionals supporting children and young people (CYP): - Cohort 3: Part 1: 5th March 10:30 | Part 2: 30th April 10:30 - Cohort 4: Part 1: 22nd May 13:30 | Part 2: 10th July 13:30 Professionals supporting adults: - Cohort 3: Part 1: 25th April 10:30 | Part 2: 4th July 10:30 - Cohort 4: Part 1: 3rd June 13:30 | Part 2: 15th July 13:30 ✨ Each session lasts 2.5 hours and includes pre-learning, live sessions, and post-reflection to deepen your knowledge and skills. Certificates provided upon completion of both parts. ➡️ Register here: www.ssp.autismoxford.com 📧 Questions? Email us: ssp@autismoxford.org.uk Together, we can make a difference. 💜

Addressing Diagnostic Overshadowing in Autistic Individuals. Diagnostic overshadowing occurs when health professionals attribute a behaviour solely to a person’s disability, overlooking other potential factors like biological determinants. As healthcare providers, it’s crucial to recognise that each autistic individual is unique, with diverse sensory preferences. For instance, while some may dislike noise, others might find comfort in loud sounds they can control. Similarly, some may recognise their hunger cues and eat accordingly, while others might need external prompts to eat or drink. This concept ties into ‘interoception,’ the internal sensory system that helps us notice and respond to physical and emotional states. Autistic individuals might not recognise signs of pain or changes in bowel movements, often leading to misconceptions about their pain threshold. Behavioural changes, such as increased agitation or withdrawal from activities, might be the only indicators that something is wrong. How can we, as professionals, help avoid diagnostic overshadowing? - Thorough assessments: Always consider a comprehensive evaluation that includes biological, psychological, and social factors. - Interdisciplinary collaboration: Work with Occupational Therapists for ‘Sensory Assessments’ to create personalised sensory diets. - Holistic approach: Engage Neurodevelopmental Nurse Specialists to conduct ‘holistic assessments’ addressing mental, physical, and social health needs, and compile recommendations for further action. By adopting these practices, we can ensure a more accurate understanding and better support for autistic individuals. For more information, please contact us at therapies@autismoxford.org.uk #AutismOxfordUK #DiagnosticOvershadowing #OccupationalTherapy #SensoryDiets #SensoryAssessments

Neurodivergence: Embracing Strength in Diversity ✨ In recent years, conversations about neurodiversity have gained momentum- and for good reason. Neurodivergence, a term encompassing a wide range of differences in brain functioning such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia & dyspraxia, is no longer being viewed solely through a lens of deficits. Instead, it’s being recognised as a natural and valuable aspect of human diversity. At Autism Oxford UK, we proudly champion neuroaffirming values, shifting the focus from “fixing” neurodivergent individuals to celebrating their strengths and creating true inclusion. But why is this so important for workplaces, schools, and communities? 🟣 Why Neurodivergence matters It’s estimated that at least 15-20% of the population is neurodivergent. This means nearly 1 in 5 people processes information, communicates, or experiences the world in ways that might differ from the "neurotypical" majority. Neurodivergent individuals often bring unique strengths: - Innovative thinking: Excelling at creativity, problem-solving, & spotting patterns. - Resilience: Adapting & persevering through societal challenges. - Hyperfocus: Driving expertise & productivity in areas of deep interest. Yet, stigma, misunderstanding, and environments built for neurotypical norms can create barriers that prevent neurodivergent people from thriving. 🟣 Awareness to Acceptance Awareness is just the start. True progress requires acceptance- valuing neurodivergent individuals and actively removing barriers. Here’s how we can help create neuroaffirming environments: 1. Educate: Learn about neurodivergence & listen to neurodivergent voices. 2. Adapt: Offer sensory-friendly spaces, flexible communication, & work options. 3. Focus on strengths: Highlight what neurodivergent people excel at. 4. Be open to feedback: Inclusion isn’t one-size-fits-all; collaborate to meet diverse needs. 🟣 Neurodivergence in the Workplace Workplaces have a unique role in embracing neurodiversity. Inclusive recruitment, awareness training, and mentorship can unlock the potential of neurodivergent employees. Companies that champion inclusion often see higher satisfaction, innovation, and diverse perspectives. Yet, unemployment among neurodivergent individuals remains disproportionately high- not because these individuals lack skills, but because systems fail to accommodate their needs. By encouraging inclusive practices, we can build environments where everyone thrives. 🟣 A Call to Action Embracing neurodivergence means creating a world where everyone belongs. It’s about shifting the focus from “normalising” people to normalising acceptance. Neurodivergence is a rich thread in humanity’s fabric- let’s celebrate it. Ready to take the next step in understanding neurodivergence and promoting inclusion? Autism Oxford UK offers training, consultancy, and resources to help you get there. Together, we can make acceptance the standard- not the exception. 💜