New to autism or looking for more information?
Suspecting that you might be autistic, or being diagnosed with autism, can give rise to a range of emotions - shock, anger, anxiety, relief, joy. Some of us who've walked that same path found following autistic people, or joining groups of autistic people, on social media a positive and non-threatening way to learn more about autism - whether you want to be a silent observer or an active participant in the conversation.
And even if you're an old hand, we still need community and information. The field is excitingly new and dynamic, and the internet is the easiest place for most of us to find out what's new, or simply what's good.
Here are some of the connections we've found helpful:
And even if you're an old hand, we still need community and information. The field is excitingly new and dynamic, and the internet is the easiest place for most of us to find out what's new, or simply what's good.
Here are some of the connections we've found helpful:
Facebook:
Groups -
Groups -
- Aspergers & Autism Safe Room: A Safe Haven for Women on the Spectrum - international support page for adult women on the spectrum
- Neurodiversity Chat Room - a safe space for neurodivergent people to converse and make meaningful connections
- Neurodiversity Newsstand - a news and discussion group focused on topics in neurodiversity; open to all (parents, professionals, and neurodiverse individuals)
- Yellow Ladybugs - Autistic Girls & Women
Organisations -
- Autism MQ - Autism research group at Macquarie Uni, currently doing some interesting work about women!
Blogs -
- I've been autistic all along?! - Autistic mother of two autistic daughters, sharing life experience and memes about autism and ADHD
- Spectrumy - Thoughts on neurodiversity and mental health by a late diagnosed Autie/ADHD mama of 2.
Twitter:
- https://twitter.com/aucademy - Autistic academics, researchers, teachers, speakers, trainers and advocates educating on autistic experience (UK)
- https://twitter.com/AutismAdulthood - peer-reviewed journal focussing on the most pressing issues affecting autistic adults
- https://twitter.com/Magnus919 - openly Autistic executive (US)
- https://twitter.com/OMGImAutisticAF - Autistic lawyer
- https://twitter.com/commaficionado - Pete Wharmby, Autistic teacher, writer, speaker, parent (UK)
Other sites:
- aspietests.org - Accessible tests! Self-diagnose with real tools. Take a look at the RAADS. Don't go straight to the AQ.
- neuroclastic.com/2020/05/10/autistic-people-react-to-the-autism-spectrum-quotient-aq-test - If you do take a look at the AQ, comfort yourself with lots of articulate thoughts on why you're in good company feeling infuriated.
- https://taniaannmarshall.wordpress.com/2013/03/26/moving-towards-a-female-profile-the-unique-characteristics-abilities-and-talents-of-asperwomen-adult-women-with-asperger-syndrome/ a very long collection of traits seen in autistic women. Yes, half of them are contradictory, what they have in common is that we tend to vary from 'the norm' in many ways, though we may do it in different directions.
- Neuroverse podcast https://twitter.com/groktopus - an exploration of neurodiversity, with autistic host Magnus Hedemark; found in most places you find podcasts (Spotify, Podcast Addict, etc).
- Autism Onwards - a new international group hosting events for autistic women and developing a calendar
(The hyperlinks have been removed, at least temporarily, to appease google.)
The literature is proliferating at a great rate and these links are only a start of a list that will never be complete, but will hopefully still be helpful! What resources would you like to see here? Let us know!
The literature is proliferating at a great rate and these links are only a start of a list that will never be complete, but will hopefully still be helpful! What resources would you like to see here? Let us know!