Reframing Autism’s Post

💡 What does it mean to be an ally to the Autistic community? 💡 An ally is someone who stands up for, supports and encourages the people around them. In this instance, an ally is a person working to amplify Autistic rights for either an individual Autistic person they know, or for the Autistic community at large. You might be a grandparent, sibling, friend, colleague, neighbour, partner, other family member, or have many other roles in an Autistic person’s (or many Autistic people’s) life. Being an ally goes further than just not adding to the collective harms the Autistic community experiences. Rather, it encompasses actively taking steps to combat the stigma, discrimination, exclusion, and oppression that Autistic people have faced and continue to face. ✅ There are many ways you can “show up” and support Autistic people and our Autistic community. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gS5CMFpZ [ID: A green background featuring the Reframing Autism logo. Text in white reads, "Being an ally goes further than just not adding to the collective harms the Autistic community experiences. Rather, it encompasses actively taking steps to combat the stigma, discrimination, exclusion, and oppression that Autistic people have faced and continue to face."] #ReframingAutism #ActuallyAutistic #AutisticAlly

✅ On-demand webinar... learn at a time that suits you! ✅ Reframing Autism invites educators and educational support staff to join Dr Melanie Heyworth for an introductory workshop on teaching Autistic children. Very often, Autistic children find schools overwhelming and challenging environments. We will give teachers and other support staff Autistic-endorsed and practical strategies for including Autistic children in your classroom so that everyone, Autistic and non-autistic alike, can thrive. Learn more & register via Courses and Webinar link in bio. Overview of content: ⭐ Autistic definition of Autism. ⭐ Overview of respectful language. ⭐ Introduction to the Autistic brain. ⭐ Inclusion in the classroom. ⭐ Autistic needs in classroom. ⭐ Practical steps to support Autistic learners. ⭐ Opportunities to reflect on the implications to your teaching practice. You will also receive: ⭐ A PDF including further reading and resources. ⭐ A professional development certificate will be issued upon completion of the workshop and feedback survey. Learn more & register here: https://lnkd.in/giQQRayq. [ID: A purple background featuring the Reframing Autism logo and white text that reads, "Professional Development: An Introduction to Teaching Autistic Children. Register at reframingautism.org.au." The bottom half of the image shows a young boy in a navy blue jumper sitting at a table, with bookshelves in the background. He is smiling and looking into the distance. The Reframing Autism knot logo is in the bottom left corner.]

Have you ever gone a morning without eating and/or drinking, only to be reminded you’re famished by a visual cue such as a clock, rather than noticing a dry mouth or hunger pains? If the answer is yes, you may, like many Autistic individuals, experience interoception differences. In this blog, we explore how our 'eighth sense' affects Autistic individuals and why understanding it is key to self-regulation. Take a deep dive here: https://lnkd.in/grdu-V_V [ID: An infographic against a blue background. The top green text box has a small anatomical image of a human body and reads "Interoception is the sense we use to detect, interpret, and integrate internal bodily signals such as hunger, thirst, heart rate and pain in order to maintain homeostasis, self-regulate and enjoy an overall state of wellbeing." Beneath, a purple text box reads: "Differences in Interoceptive Awareness. Hyper-awareness (increased sensitivity) eg. being acutely attuned to internal aches and pains. Hypo-awareness (reduced sensitivity) eg. not noticing thirst and becoming dehydrated." Beneath, aubergine text boxes read: "Implications for Autistic individuals: challenges meeting basic needs, unadressed emotional dysregulation, social disconnect from self and others, poorer mental and physical health, Alexithymia, invalidation of experiences." The Reframing Autism logo is centred at the bottom.]

At Reframing Autism we feel strongly that your child has a right to their identity and that Autism is part of their identity, so we're resharing this study. This study was the first to show that learning one is Autistic at a younger age can help Autistic people develop self-understanding and access supports, thus providing the foundations for well-being in adulthood. 📰 Read our research summary for non-academics here: https://lnkd.in/gnxcjTvD ❓ #AskingAutistics how and when did you learn of your Autistic identity? [ID: A green background featuring the Reframing Autism logo at the top and rainbow logo knotwork at the bottom left. White text reads ‘Identity is the key to self-knowledge, self-determination, self-esteem and resilience By telling your child about their Autistic neurology, you gift them their identity.’ Beneath is a photo of a mother hugging her child against her chest in a park.]

Being a newly-identified Autistic adult can be a confusing experience. On one hand, you may feel thrilled to find your identity and community, but also overwhelmed (and understandably so!). Suddenly having validation of your entire existence can feel overwhelming, and you may be left wondering what to do next. Here are some useful first steps based on the experience of the Reframing Autism team: https://lnkd.in/g3e6xFS6 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. ❤️ [ID: A magenta background featuring the Reframing Autism logo at top left and logo knotwork at bottom left. Text in white reads, "On sensory differencecs... Your sensory differences are real and your need to play differently, communicate differently, think differently, love differently – nee exist differently – is a valuable and valid form of Autistic expression. Embrace and accommodate your differences."] #ActuallyAutistic #LateDiagnosedAlwaysAutistic #ReframingAutism

Are you a professional working with Autistic children? Join Dr Melanie Heyworth in this online webinar, as we redefine Autism from an Autistic perspective, examine the ways in which neurodiversity can help you to reframe your thinking about Autism, and discuss how this new understanding can inform the way you approach and support the Autistic children in your care. Learn more & register here: https://lnkd.in/g8uTf-8a You'll learn: ⭐ To understand Autism within a double empathy and radical acceptance framework that fosters Autistic authenticity. ⭐ To develop a basic understanding of Autism from a neurological perspective. ⭐ To interrogate traditional, reductive approaches to Autism and offer new ways to view Autistic traits and behaviours. ⭐ To scope ways of interacting with Autistic individuals which are respectful and successful. You will also receive: ✅ A fillable workbook, including further reading and references. ✅ A professional development certificate will be issued upon completion of the workshop and feedback survey.

We have many parents and carers wondering how to share with their child their Autistic identity in a neuroaffirming way. Modelling acceptance of differences of all kinds is a great first step! You’ll find this and all our other top tips in our article Talking to Children About Autism: https://lnkd.in/e2xn_vFJ Our article is also available in Spanish, Italian, Traditional Chinese, Mandarin, Greek, Hindi, Tagalog, Punjabi, Arabic and Vietnamese. Please find the links to these translations in the comments. #ReframingAutism #PositiveAutisticIdentity #NeuroaffirmingPractice #AutisticChildren [ID: 1. A purple background featuring the Reframing Autism logo at the top and rainbow logo knotwork at the bottom left. White text reads ‘When we celebrate difference regularly in our everyday lives, we model acceptance of diversity in its many forms.’ Beneath is a photo of a line of adults and children seen from behind. They have their arms linked around each other’s backs.]

🌟 NEW live webinar! 🌟 Understanding and Thriving Across Key Life Stages: Menstruation, Motherhood, Menopause Curious about how being, or identifying as, a woman shapes Autistic experiences? Join Dr Melanie Heyworth, Reframing Autism's Founder & Head of Research, as she examines Autistic (and AuDHD) experiences during key life stages, including: • puberty and menstruation • pregnancy, birth and motherhood • work, and • menopause Gain valuable insights into the challenges faced during these stages, the impact on wellbeing, and the difficulties of obtaining accurate and helpful diagnoses. Learn key principles to support yourself or those you care about in thriving during these pivotal life stages. ❤️ Limited-time community offer: 50% discount on the first 50 general admission tickets! 👉 Register now: See link in bio and select Courses and Webinars Unable to attend live? This webinar will be recorded, and a replay link will be sent after the event has taken place. Limited-time community offer: Maximum 2 tickets per order. Discount automatically applied at checkout until all 50 discounted tickets are redeemed. #ReframingAutism #AutisticWomen #AutisticAFAB #AutisticGirls #AutisticFamily #AutisticWomenandGirls #Neurodivergent #ActuallyAutistic #AutisticParenting [ID: A purple background featuring the Reframing Autism logo. Text in white reads, "Understanding and Thriving Across Key Life Stages: Menstruation, Motherhood, Menopause. Presented by Dr Melanie Heyworth. Monday 4 November 2024 (plus replay). Register now via link in bio. 50% off first 50 general admission tickets!"

For many Autistic people, sensory overwhelm is an inevitable part of life. So, what can we do when sensory overload happens? 🤯⁠ ⁠ 1. Take a step away from the environment that triggered/contributed to the feeling of overwhelm. 🧘♀️⁠ ⁠ 2. Wear noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds – or, if you’re not a fan of things on/in your ears, try to go somewhere very quiet. 🎧⁠ ⁠ 3. Go somewhere with soft or low lighting – or, if this isn’t possible, consider placing an eye pillow or cool compress over your eyes to calm down visual stimulation and cool the head down. 💡⁠ ⁠ 4. Listen to nature or ambient sounds. This might include your favourite lo-fi background music for study or work, a calming song, or even just some white noise. 🌱⁠ ⁠ 5. Smell something that has a calming or favourite scent. Lavender, chamomile tea and sea salt scents are often very popular choices, but choose whatever scent is most pleasant and calming to you. 🌸⁠ ⁠ #AskingAutistics: If you experience sensory overwhelm, please leave us a comment and let us know your favourite “sensory reset” tips and tricks! [ID: A blue background featuring the Reframing Autism logo at bottom left and logo knotwork detail at bottom right. Text in white reads, " Sensory Reset. Take a step away from the environment. Wear noise cancelling headphones. Go somewhere with soft/low lighting. Listen to nature or some ambient sounds. Smell a favourite/calming scent."] ⁠ #ActuallyAutistic #ReframingAutism #SensoryOverload #SensoryReset #SelfCareIsHealthcare⁠

Many life stages like menopause and menstruation can be experienced differently by Autistic individuals due to our sensory sensitivities and regulation differences. With our next monthly webinar focussed on life stages, including menopause, we thought it was a great time to reshare this personal account of menopause by Autistic writer and advocate, Karen Noble: https://lnkd.in/gqNJhax4 #ActuallyAutistic #AutisticLifeStages #AutisticWomen #AutisticAFAB #AutisticMenopause [ID: A pink background featuring the Reframing Autism logo at the top left and logo knotwork at bottom left. A quote in white reads, “It is hard to separate what was menopause and what was already a sensitivity that I simply ignored, though any extra discomfort tipped me over because menopause lowered my meltdown threshold”, by Karen Noble, Autistic writer and advocate. Below is an image of a middle-aged woman looking exhausted, seated against a beige lounge. She has long brown hair, and is wearing a light pink t-shirt, black framed glasses and blue jeans. She is holding a glass of water in one hand, and holds her other hand to her brow.]