This World Mental Health Day, here are 7 things I would like you to know about my PTSD and complex PTSD (cPTSD, C-PTSD). #WorldMentalHealthDay #PTSD #ComplexPTSD #CPTSD I mention both because I self-identified complex PTSD, but my official diagnosis just says PTSD. Complex PTSD is not recognised by the medical profession; it is not inContinue reading “7 facts about my Complex PTSD”
Category Archives: Neurodiversity
Neuro Women Natter, Episode 1: Back to School
October is here, and with it comes episode 1 of Neuro Women Natter with me and Toni Horn! In this episode, we each reflect on our school days – a bittersweet trip down memory lane.
Neurodivergent or neurospicy?
‘Neurospicy’… This word is again a hot topic in the neurodiversity scene. Some people love it, some do not like it. And some don’t like the word ‘neurodivergent’. Here are my thoughts: ‘Neurodivergent’ is a deliberately vague and inclusive socio-political term that expresses in non-medicalised language that one’s mind works in some way differently fromContinue reading “Neurodivergent or neurospicy?”
Support Local Artists over AI Art
Rather than flooding social media with AI art, why not commission a local artist to create your images? Here, Piper Strange Arts captures one moment when I felt truly seen during my autism diagnostic appointment, and the moment I informed my employer. Yes, I texted the good news to my line manager, the HR SharedContinue reading “Support Local Artists over AI Art”
Introduction Post for New Followers
Introduction from me: I am Charlie, my pronouns are she/her or they/them. I am bisexual, pansexual, and gender non-conforming. I am also multiple neurodivergent (autistic, ADHD, complex PTSD). I have been a social media neurodiversity advocate since my autism epiphany in 2018, under the name ‘Ausome Charlie’ with an ‘Au’ for ‘Autistic’ in addition toContinue reading “Introduction Post for New Followers”
Autistic Identity
When I discovered that I was autistic in 2018, aged 42, I set up the Twitter account @AusomeCharlie and there I found a thriving mutually-supportive community among the hashtags #ActuallyAutistic and #Neurodiversity. After feeling like an outsider and broken, for so many years, the labels #Autistic and #Neurodivergent helped me to accept myself, and learnContinue reading “Autistic Identity”
Grief Awareness Day
Grief Awareness Day, 30 August 2024. My experience of grief is atypical. Yes, I know the grief curve is only indicative, and it’s not a smooth line for anybody, but… For neurodivergent people, especially those with Alexithymia and Complex PTSD, it can be unrecognisable and baffling. People wonder: – How can I talk about suchContinue reading “Grief Awareness Day”
Final Thoughts for Disability Pride Month
Some final thoughts for Disability Pride Month. I am neurodivergent, and I am also disabled. Not every neurodivergent person identifies as disabled, but I do. I am able in many ways. That does not mean I have ‘super powers’; it means I have a ‘spiky profile’. I have learned to lean into my strengths andContinue reading “Final Thoughts for Disability Pride Month”
Is self-identification of neuro-differences valid?
After my autism epiphany in 2018, I set up the Twitter account AusomeCharlie and discovered a plethora of relatable tweets bearing the hashtags #ActuallyAutistic and #Neurodiversity. This online community of (mostly) mutually supportive people on my wavelength helped me to realise I was not alone in my struggles. Reading about the ‘Neurodiversity Paradigm’ helped meContinue reading “Is self-identification of neuro-differences valid?”
Clients
Charlie works with organisations across sectors, within the UK and internationally (particularly the USA), delivering robust neuroinclusion insights and strategies. Selected clients include: Channel 4, Clyde & Co, County FA, Dods Diversity & Inclusion, Evolving HR, Freeths LLP, Galop, Graphy, Institute of Government and Public Policy (IGPP), LexisNexis, Lloyd’s Register, Lymphoma Trust, Miro, Morgan LewisContinue reading “Clients”
Ausome Charlie 