Thriving Autistic CLG’s Post

Autistic Masking The Autistic Advocate describes autistic masking as: "A psychological safety mechanism made up of complex layers of physical emotional and social actions which an autistic person is driven to use to protect, sorry, to self-protect and project an acceptable version of who they are." (https://lnkd.in/eKfHeU4C) In our Discovery Programme, we are going to explore masking in more detail, looking at why we do it, whether it is always safe to unmask, and finding out about each other's experiences of masking /unmasking and feeling safe. Our 6 week Discovery Programme is fully funded by Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Rethink Ireland To find out more: https://lnkd.in/eXaWF6FK

Autistic Masking. Everyone masks, especially those from marginalised identities, but for an Autistic person it can be draining, traumatic and lead to Autistic burnout Possible effects of masking - burnout, self- medication, dissociation, fawning, people pleasing However, is it always safe to unmask? Questions to consider: When/where/with whom do you mask? Why do you think that might be? Our discovery course is fully funded for autistic adults by Rethink Ireland and Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth To find out more: https://lnkd.in/eeeAqpEx

Well done to BBC Woman's Hour for raising the topic: "Is the SEND system working for children with special educational needs and disabilities?" And fantastic to hear Catherine McKinnell, Minister for School Standards agreement that the system is broken and in need of reform and that it's the duty of all schools to work together to support children early in life. "We think that children with SEND should be at the heart of our education system - by doing that we get education right for everybody" Hearing the eloquent 17 year old Katie who is autistic and not able to be in a school environment's need to be "believed." "Funding is an issue but the system has no empathy for what children and families are going through." And just a few quotes from parents: "The downward spiral is so swift fast that it gives you whiplash - you can go from a child that is sort of struggling to a child that can no longer attend at all." "If you are going to choose between an education and your child's mental health - you choose their mental health!" "The environmental factors trigger my son so much he often spends a lot of his time isolated in the toilet." "Living as a minority within a minority that is black and is disabled means that the challenges we face... are more confounded because we are looking at racial bias as well as disability discrimination." An honest and much needed discussion. Catch it here:

The Mass. Developmental Disabilities Council is looking for help in choosing our legislative priorities for 2025-2026! We are conducting a survey to hear from Massachusetts residents with I/DD, their families and professionals on what policy areas are most important to them as we move into the next legislative session. We would appreciate your responses and if you would share this within your networks! Find the survey here: https://lnkd.in/e-E_-wQm One way that MDDC improves the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families is through education and policy change. Every 2 years, we create a “Priority Legislation” list. Our 2023-2024 Priority Legislation included areas like housing and healthcare. We educate our state government about the impact that these priority bills could have on the I/DD community. We do this by meeting with policymakers and providing testimony at the State House. #MAPoli #Legislation #DisabilityPolicy #DisabilityRights #Massachusetts

This week in our Discovery Programme for Autistic adults we are exploring emotional regulation and self-care. Meltdowns/ shutdowns and internalised meltdowns can be a regular reality for many autistic adults struggling to manage and juggle the demands of life, especially if the environment isn't right for us and if we don't have accommodations in place. We have been discussing the difference between shutdowns and internalised meltdowns. Do you experience these differently? Some people feel that internalised meltdowns are experienced as intense chaos inside their minds, leaving them with no capacity to function or even communicate. They then need time and space to re-regulate. In contrast, we have been exploring what some people experience as the state of a shutdown, where you may experience a freeze state and feel numb to everything around you. Does this resonate with you? What are your experiences like? Everyone is different, there is very little research about inner autistic experiences for adults, but it can be validating to be part of a community so you feel less alone and are able listen to others and share the more difficult experiences of autistic overwhelm. Over the next week we will be sharing some ideas to help support regulation and self-care. To find out more about our fully funded 6 week course please see: https://lnkd.in/eeeAqpEx Rethink Ireland Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Through data identifying housing needs and preferences, the First Place Global Leadership Institute is opening doors to affordable housing with cognitive accessibility for adults with #autism and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities. The following data is from the 2023 Omaha Housing Market Analysis, made possible and funded by Autism Action Partnership, Make Waves and Front Porch Investments. To learn more about how we are paving the way to lasting systems change, visit firstplaceglobal.org/hma and download a report. #DisabilityAwareness #DataAnalysis #SupportiveHousing #DisabilityPride

This edition also covers vital topics like navigating travel with children on the spectrum, combating the summer slide in education, autism and recreation, and the art of self-advocacy. #asd #autism #autismacceptance #inclusion #neurodiversity #neurodivergent #aceingautism

📌 New research by the Rosa Parks Foundation reveals how existing practices result in “an unjustifiably high proportion of Roma children being diagnosed with mild intellectual disability”; exposes how the diagnostic process leaves wide scope for biases, subjective diagnoses, and misdiagnosis, all the while excluding Romani parents from participation: “There are simply no guarantee rules in place to ensure that the assessment is carried out with due regard for children’s rights and disability rights, recognising and assisting parents as equal partners.”   Read more: https://lnkd.in/dmjzXWMg

What do our caregivers say about Baby Ubuntu? We believe our caregivers voices speak strongly to the impact of the programme. 💬 Here’s what one Ugandan mama had to say about the changes she has seen in her child through engaging in the programme. Baby Ubuntu is a participatory group progamme which aims to: - Increase caregiver knowledge, confidence and skills in caring for their child with a developmental disability - Promote inclusion and participation of children with disability within the family and community - Maximise a child’s developmental potential, health and quality of life - Promote empowerment of caregivers through information sharing and peer support - Promote the human rights of children with disability

Listening is the best way to learn how to serve and support