Category Archives: Intersectionality

Unregulated neurodiversity bandit

I am one of those unregulated neurodiversity advocates, neurotic to the bones no doubt about it.  You have been warned! Only follow me if you are interested in my lived experience of:– Autism, ADHD and C-PTSD– The double rainbow intersection of both the AuDHD and LGBTQIA+ spectrums– Surviving bullying and discrimination in education and work–Continue reading “Unregulated neurodiversity bandit”

Autism month brain dump

Questions from Carol Jean Whittington for her Mind Your Autistic Brain website. Question 1 – What does accessibility mean to you? Reducing or eliminating barriers to inclusion or success, which requires conscious inclusion. Question 2 – What is your big “why” for advocating for autism inclusion in the workplace? Workplace inclusion is my niche becauseContinue reading “Autism month brain dump”

Background on me

Having made it into Theo Smith’s list of Top 80 UK Neurodiversity Evangelists to follow, here is some background for my new followers. In 2018, I took my eldest child, who was 14 at the time, to see a psychiatrist about his extreme anxiety attacks. She listened and observed, then concluded that what he wasContinue reading “Background on me”

Neurodiversity and mental health conditions

An interesting debate from a LinkedIn group I’m in. Apparently there’s a TikTok trend from people with Cluster B personality disorders to identify as neurodivergent. Some people in the recognised neurodivergent community, with lifelong neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, are not sure how to feel about it. Here’s my personal view. Caveat –Continue reading “Neurodiversity and mental health conditions”

Straight passing relationships and LGBTQIA Pride

Straight passing relationships and LGBTQIA Pride: “A relationship is referred to as being ‘straight passing’ when even though one or more people in it are queer, their romantic and sexual identities are often perceived by others to be heteroromantic and heterosexual. This can occur, for example, when a cis, bi man is dating a cis,Continue reading “Straight passing relationships and LGBTQIA Pride”

My hopes for an autism inclusive future

Autism is a common neurotype. Forget all those misleading stats – the majority go undiagnosed. I wasn’t diagnosed until my early forties, after struggling for decades. Many families with one diagnosed autistic have many more who unwittingly camouflage and fly under the radar. Yes, autism runs in the family. Don’t assume you’re neurotypical. Society mustContinue reading “My hopes for an autism inclusive future”

Coming out story

#NationalComingOutDay I was sixteen when I first concluded that I was bi (thanks, Winona Ryder). I was open about this with my best friend, and my boyfriend at the time, but I was too embarrassed to discuss it with my family or wider social circle. However, the truth did come out during a sixth formContinue reading “Coming out story”

Being an ally to your neurodivergent colleagues

Understanding the terminology – ‘neurodivergent’ and ‘neurodiversity’ ‘Neurodivergent‘ means having a neurological difference resulting in different cognitive processing and thinking. Basically, having a mind that works differently from societal norms. Many neurological differences are due to one or more lifelong neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, Tourette’s. Neurodivergence can also be acquired,Continue reading “Being an ally to your neurodivergent colleagues”

How to be an ally to bi and pan people

By Charlie Hart (Ausome Charlie) Understand what labels mean One definition of “bisexual” or “bi” is “attracted to more than one gender”. My preferred definition is this: May experience heterosexual (different sex) or homosexual (same sex) attraction. “Pansexual” or “pan” means when we are attracted to individuals, their gender does not come into it. NeitherContinue reading “How to be an ally to bi and pan people”