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Reposted by Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar)

Re:Spect Lab KCL @respectlabkcl.bsky.social · 12d

📣The ARCH seminar is back!
Join us on October 22nd to hear from Nell Fahey (with introduction from Dr Gavin Stewart) about their work on the social experiences of middle-aged and older autistic adults.
More info on our mailout - sign up and get tickets @ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/arch-semin...

This is a poster advertising the ARCH (or Autism Research) Seminar Series. This talk takes place on the 22nd of October, 2025, at 2pm on Zoom. The talk is being given by Nell Fahey, who uses she and her pronouns, and is an MSc graduate from King's College London. She is being introduced by Dr Gavin Stewart, who uses he and him pronouns, and is a senior research fellow at King's College London. The talk title is "Exploring the Social Experiences of Autistic Adults in Midlife and Old Age: a co-produced qualitative study". The abstract reads "Being connected to other people and having good access to social support are often linked to a better quality of life as we get older. However, autistic people often experience barriers to being socially connected. Our co-produced study set out to explore the social experiences of middle-aged and older autistic adults, with a particular focus on the types of social connections they would like as they age. We interviewed 33 autistic people in midlife and old age and conducted a reflexive thematic analysis of their responses. Our findings highlighted the varying impact that ageing can have on people’s social experiences and suggest that social motivations and barriers to social interaction may differ for autistic adults in midlife compared with those in old age. In this talk, we will describe our co-production process and highlight these key findings and what they mean for autistic people."

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Reposted by Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar)

Stimpunks Foundation @stimpunks.org · 1d

Let’s normalize bodymind breaks in schools. Take them when you need them. Take them in the bathroom. Take them in the library. Take them outside. Take them when you need to pee. Take them when you need to cry. Take them whenever you need to regulate.

stimpunks.org/bodymind-bre...

Bodymind Break

We're not minds riding around in bodies, we're bodyminds. The swells and textures of nature follow patterns that resonate with the human body through its ability to hear sound. Enjoy a sonic tribute…

stimpunks.org

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Reposted by Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar)

Stimpunks Foundation @stimpunks.org · 15h

Learn about why ABA is bad:

stimpunks.org/why/behavior...

Learn about alternatives to
ABA:

stimpunks.org/why/alternat...

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Reposted by Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar)

Nathan Keates @keatesresearch.bsky.social · 10h

Chapter 7: An Interest-Based Exploration of Monotropism and Its Use in the Classroom (pages 129–146)
Author: Ania Atkinson

📺 youtu.be/qC9FI6s73_w

#neurodivergentEducation

An interest-based exploration of Monotropism and its use in the classroom

YouTube video by Neurodivergent Education Books

youtu.be

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Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · 8h

@stimpunks.org think you will like these :)

Reposted by Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar)

Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · 8h

Wear Your Neurodivergence Proudly :)
New T-Shirts To Display Your ND Pride from @emergentdivergence.com !

www.davidgrayhammond.co.uk/p/wear-your-...

Wear Your Neurodivergence Proudly

New T-Shirts To Display Your ND Pride

www.davidgrayhammond.co.uk

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Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · 8h

Wear Your Neurodivergence Proudly :)
New T-Shirts To Display Your ND Pride from @emergentdivergence.com !

www.davidgrayhammond.co.uk/p/wear-your-...

Wear Your Neurodivergence Proudly

New T-Shirts To Display Your ND Pride

www.davidgrayhammond.co.uk

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Reposted by Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar)

Nathan Keates @keatesresearch.bsky.social · 10h

🗞️ NEWS 🗞️
We are pleased to premiere a series of "talking heads" videos of the co-edited collection Dr Krysia Waldock @krysiawally.bsky.social and I published, providing valuable insights.

An interest-based exploration of Monotropism and its use in the classroom

YouTube video by Neurodivergent Education Books

youtu.be

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Reposted by Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar)

Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · 14h

ThalloMinds has kindly translated The Map of Monotropic…

https://autisticrealms.com/%cf%87%ce%ac%cf%81%cf%84%ce%b7%cf%82-%ce%bc%ce%bf%ce%bd%ce%bf%cf%84%cf%81%ce%bf%cf%80%ce%b9%ce%ba%cf%8e%ce%bd-%ce%b5%ce%bc%cf%80%ce%b5%ce%b9%cf%81%ce%b9%cf%8e%ce%bd/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social

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Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · 14h

ThalloMinds has kindly translated The Map of Monotropic…

https://autisticrealms.com/%cf%87%ce%ac%cf%81%cf%84%ce%b7%cf%82-%ce%bc%ce%bf%ce%bd%ce%bf%cf%84%cf%81%ce%bf%cf%80%ce%b9%ce%ba%cf%8e%ce%bd-%ce%b5%ce%bc%cf%80%ce%b5%ce%b9%cf%81%ce%b9%cf%8e%ce%bd/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social

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Reposted by Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar)

aslynn's tremendous 'tism horror show 👻 🎃 @audhd-psychnp.com · 16h

“While Indigenous understandings of autism offer neuro-affirming, relational perspectives,

they too must be engaged critically, with attention to complexity, nuance, and lived realities.” #AutRes

Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · 3d

Hurrah!
Bruno, G. et al (2025)Decolonizing autism research Integrating indigenous ways of knowing, being & doing journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

Prioritize Indigenous & Autistic co/leadership
Develop framewks of ethical space & relational accountability
Foster cross-cultural & interdisc collab

Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.

journals.sagepub.com

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Reposted by Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar)

Jaime Hoerricks, PhD @jaimehoerricks.bsky.social · 20h

This episode provides a rigorous critique of institutional power and the “myth of democracy” within autism research, arguing that the language of “consensus” and “community involvement” is often a performance that masks deep-seated inequity and colonial structures.

open.substack.com/pub/autside/...

Episode 384: Consensus Without Consent in Autism Research

Today’s episode provides a rigorous critique of institutional power and the “myth of democracy” within autism research, arguing that the language of “consensus” and “community involvement” is often a ...

open.substack.com

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Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · 22h

Thank you :)

Reposted by Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar)

Wonderseeker @wonder-seeker.bsky.social · 1d

This is really neat!

Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · 1d

I am presenting at The Gestalt Language Processors Conference 2025 with Cathy Shilling from The Speech Den this week. We will be exploring all things GLP and Monotropism related. This is one of our summary slides.
Find out more: registration.glpconference.co.uk/glp25

Infographic titled “Gestalt Language Processing Reframed: Monotropism, Interests & Connection.”
It contrasts a Deficit View of GLPs & Autism (left column, red boxes) with a Monotropism Informed Neuroaffirming Reframe (right column, green boxes), using arrows to show each shift in understanding:

Deficit View: Echolalia = lack of intent or understanding and meaningless repetition
Reframe: Echolalia = communication, grounded in deep attentional and emotional resonance

Deficit View: Scripts are rigid or blocking progress
Reframe: Scripts are anchors from which meaningful communication can emerge

Deficit View: GLPs have delayed or disordered language
Reframe: GLPs uniquely acquire language deeply and relationally through attentional processing

Deficit View: Structured analytic interventions needed to fix and cure
Reframe: Trust and connection support shared flow and communication

Deficit View: Redirecting attention and distractions help
Reframe: Allowing time and space for passions and processing is regulating

At the bottom, it says:
Find out more & join Cathy Shilling & Helen Edgar – Gestalt Language Processors Conference 2025.
Logos for The Speech Den and Autistic Realms – Neurodiversity Affirming appear in the corners.

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Reposted by Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar)

Dr Katie Twomey @k2mey.bsky.social · 1d

We know that some autistic children and adults produce echolalia (gestalts, or repeated bits of language) to convey unconventional meanings. That is a beautiful and in my view very complex way of metaphor making. But we don't know if they *process* language in a gestalt way

Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · 1d

I am presenting at The Gestalt Language Processors Conference 2025 with Cathy Shilling from The Speech Den this week. We will be exploring all things GLP and Monotropism related. This is one of our summary slides.
Find out more: registration.glpconference.co.uk/glp25

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Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · 1d

Ah, thank you.
Yes, this is very much an exploration and an invitation to be curious, child-led and honour authentic Autistic ways of being and communicating. VERY little research about GLPs and Monotropism at all.....may be more will start emerging soon?! Seems to make sense to me?

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Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · 1d

@thespeechden.bsky.social

1

Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · 1d

@thespeechden.bsky.social

Reposted by Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar)

Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · 1d

I am presenting at The Gestalt Language Processors Conference 2025 with Cathy Shilling from The Speech Den this week. We will be exploring all things GLP and Monotropism related. This is one of our summary slides.
Find out more: registration.glpconference.co.uk/glp25

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Reposted by Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar)

Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · 1d

I am presenting at The Gestalt Language Processors Conference 2025 with Cathy Shilling from The Speech Den this week. We will be exploring all things GLP and Monotropism related. This is one of our summary slides.
Find out more: registration.glpconference.co.uk/glp25

Infographic titled “Supporting Gestalt Language Processors Through the Lens of Monotropism.”

Five green-grey boxes list supportive, neuroaffirming strategies:

Validate scripting and use as building blocks

Follow interests and join their flow – allow silence and child-led direction

Avoid direct prompting – reduce questions and redirecting

Model language from the child’s perspective (examples: “I love…”, “Let’s try…”, “How about…”)

Respect sensory needs, bodily autonomy, and allow processing time

Decorative pink hearts and infinity symbols appear along the sides. At the bottom, text reads:
Find out more & join Cathy Shilling & Helen Edgar – Gestalt Language Processors Conference 2025.

Logos for The Speech Den and Autistic Realms – Neurodiversity Affirming appear in the lower corners.

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Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · 1d

I am presenting at The Gestalt Language Processors Conference 2025 with Cathy Shilling from The Speech Den this week. We will be exploring all things GLP and Monotropism related. This is one of our summary slides.
Find out more: registration.glpconference.co.uk/glp25

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Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · 1d

I am presenting at The Gestalt Language Processors Conference 2025 with Cathy Shilling from The Speech Den this week. We will be exploring all things GLP and Monotropism related. This is one of our summary slides.
Find out more: registration.glpconference.co.uk/glp25

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Reposted by Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar)

Isabelle Finn-Kelcey @isabellefk.bsky.social · 2d

eg sensory stress, offering choice, avoiding interrupting ‘flow’ states etc are all important approaches, as outlined by Helen & Tanya here:

autisticrealms.com/neuro-affirm...

Neuro-Affirming Research in Practice: Supporting Autistic Students, Embracing Monotropism In The Classroom And Beyond | Autistic Realms

Written by Tanya Adkin and Helen Edgar, based on the presentation we delivered to the National Autistic Society Professionals’ Conference in March, 2025. Sh ...

autisticrealms.com

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Reposted by Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar)

Stimpunks Foundation @stimpunks.org · 1d

“This neurodiversity-lite approach is often a sugar-coated version of old outdated models that still centre neurotypical comfort over authentic neurodivergent wellbeing. It’s a way of maintaining control and conformity while speaking the language of inclusion.”

autisticrealms.com/why-interest...

Why “Interest-Led” Isn’t Enough: Embracing Monotropism & Neuro-Affirming Practice

Being “interest-led” isn’t enough. Monotropism means honouring deep attention, autonomy & sensory safety, not weaponising interests for compliance.

autisticrealms.com

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