Understanding what is meant by ‘neurodiversity’ and ‘neurodivergent’ and some of the associated terminology. ‘Neurodiversity’ short for ‘neurological diversity’ is a portmanteau word coined in the 1990s. The concept ‘neurodiversity’ acknowledges that each human brain is wired uniquely; an incontrovertible biological fact. ‘Neurodivergent’ is an adjective to describe an individual, or a group of people,Continue reading “Definitions”
Category Archives: Neurodiversity
5 Years of Ausome Charlie Transcript Extract
Extract from my nostalgic monologue at the start of the 5 Years of Ausome Charlie online event with David Gray-Hammond, Katie Munday and Quinn Dexter on 8 June 2023 (see YouTube link at the bottom). “I have been flicked through the old tweets on my Ausome Charlie Twitter. I had been on Twitter longer, butContinue reading “5 Years of Ausome Charlie Transcript Extract”
Neurodivergent school kids with interoception and proprioception issues
Neurodivergent school kids with interoception and proprioception issues. I received this message this morning, from my friend Angela Loynd, of Umbrella Alliance: ‘I heard yet another story today about a young autistic girl refused a toilet break during class time at school, who then ended up wetting her pants as a result. I’m so sickContinue reading “Neurodivergent school kids with interoception and proprioception issues”
Neurodiversity is Neurological Diversity
Don’t worry about avoiding the word ‘neurodiversity’ after recent events. It is, after all, simply a portmanteau of ‘neurology’ and ‘diversity’, just like ‘biodiversity’ is just a portmanteau of ‘biology’ and ‘diversity’. Just like ‘ausome’ is just a portmanteau of ‘autistic’ and ‘awesome’ 😎 In Alice Through the Looking Glass, by Lewis Carroll, Humpty DumptyContinue reading “Neurodiversity is Neurological Diversity”
Neurodiversity and intersectionality
On neurodiversity (the uniqueness of all human brains) and intersectionality: We are each an individual product of our neurology and physiology and our life experiences. No human fits any neat pigeonholes, so let’s treat all individuals humanely, whatever their characteristics. Why not offer “reasonable adjustments” to all individuals, so they can all thrive at work. Continue reading “Neurodiversity and intersectionality”
Alexithymia
Alexithymia: Difficulty experiencing, identifying, describing our feelings. This is common with autism and ADHD. My emotions can be buried deep under the surface, then bubble up suddenly, engulfing me. I can feel nothing, and compartmentalise my feelings. I lock them up in a box, and do whatever I can to feel something. Often for me,Continue reading “Alexithymia”
What I enjoy doing outside work
I enjoy singing guest vocals in my husband’s band from time to time. I play acoustic guitar and sing. I am a keen run leader (England Athletics-qualified Leader in Running Fitness) and I teach people to run (Couch to 5K) and help them keep running regularly, in my village social running group Alvechurch Running Buddies.Continue reading “What I enjoy doing outside work”
Autistic burnout at work
I can get easily overwhelmed, eventually tipping into autistic burn out – especially when I have to work on two different projects at the same time, with conflicting priorities, too many instructions communicated verbally, and long project meetings in which I am self-conscious of my meeting behaviours, which is draining. Autistic burnout manifests exactly likeContinue reading “Autistic burnout at work”
How my neurotype affects me at work
I have what you call a spiky profile, which means instead of being competent at everything I am highly skilled in some areas of work and challenged in other areas. Autism and ADHD (AuDHD) are “dynamic” disabilities for me, so some days I am on very good form (hyper-productive, in a “flow state”) and otherContinue reading “How my neurotype affects me at work”
My neurotype and diagnoses
I was diagnosed on the NHS with Asperger’s Syndrome in 2018, aged 42. I reject the wording of this diagnosis, and I just call it autism. I am autistic. I also have ADHD, self-identified in 2021. My GP referred me for ADHD diagnosis in 2022 through Psychiatry UK via NHS “right to choose”, and IContinue reading “My neurotype and diagnoses”
Ausome Charlie 