Fern Brady is a huge positive influence in the representation of autistic women. She does comedy (recently released a Netflix special), she is on Task Master and all over the internet on several podcasts.

"Strong Female Character is about the years in between, and the unique combination of sexism and ableism that so often prevents autistic women from getting diagnosed until adulthood."

This test is meant for people ON the spectrum already, but is interesting data!

This test combines the insights of several prior efforts to research the autism spectrum to bring you a single, composite test measuring autism spectrum occurrences across 10 different domains.

Try the Autism Spectrum Quotient or the RAADS–R; or the ASRS-5 for ADHD—they are the most widely used and empirically validated tests that can give an indication of whether you might be autistic or AuDHD

"We identified several approaches through which the literature constructed autistic well-being: (1) well-being as an objective uncontested variable, (2) well-being as personal and not fixed, (3) well-being that warrants a specific measure for the autistic population, and (4) well-being as a situated account that privileges and centers autistic people’s perspectives."

"What does it mean to say that someone is autistic? Towards an Ethics of Autism is an exploration of this question and many more. In this thoughtful, wide-ranging book, Kristien Hens examines a number of perspectives on autism, including psychiatric, biological, and philosophical, to consider different ways of thinking about autism, as well as its meanings to those who experience it, those who diagnose it, and those who research it."

--> People who have ADHD thrive on harsh deadlines, however if you have many happening at the same time or close together this will most likely end up with your ADHD teacher in burnout.

--> If you have any kind of overnight trips, consider the days / week it is happening and the time in which neurodivergents might need to recover. Are there other important dates or deadlines around it? Are you giving your teachers adequate rest to recover?

--> Parent conferences . Often parent conferences will go into the evening with the following day being a morning half day of conferences. Consider that someone who is masking, then has to mask for 12 hours, followed by an early morning which requires a half day of masking. This half-day is not considered a "bonus" time off. This is most likely used to regulate their nervous system which has gone into overdrive from the previous day.

--> Are you making the social engagement a requirement? When you use a meeting time as a "celebration", you are forcing neurodivergents to be in a situation which they are forced to mask through extra stimuli.

When you have all staff voluntary celebrations (such as a Christmas event) are you making it socially mandatory for staff to participate? Such as, telling staff they "should" participate? Giving prizes as incentives to attend? Requiring people to pay for a +1? When you make it socially mandatory, you are creating a culture which excludes neurodivergents and then add a barrier of a support person by requiring them to pay for a ticket.

Consider: Location & Space

--> large venues (such as gymnasiums & cafeterias) often echo making the sound overstimulating for many neurodiverse people

--> is there a place (other than the toilet & smokers area) that someone could step away to have a break if the event is too overstimulating?

Rather focus on the benefits:

--> easy to explore multiple perspectives

--> talking an idea out loud allows for more creative ideas

--> keeps the ideas on-track

--> improves decision making through weight different options and any uncover unintended biases

--> no procrastination in speech

• What SPECIFICALLY do you need done (does the report need to be annotated, edited, do you want me to remake it in a different format?) 

• What is the purpose? (Often, we are told “its for the data”. Yes, I know this, what do you want to use the data for, why are we collecting the data?) 

• When do you specifically need it by? (“soon” is not good, neither is "early next week". Give me a date -> even better a time and it will be done for then)

--> When sending an invite for a meeting, include the purpose and any details which will be discussed

--> Giving staff one-to-one updates, prior to releasing whole-school updates (such as internal position changes like next-year grade levels)

--> When changing curriculum, or providing new mandatory resources, policies or other major changes, update staff about the coming changes via written communication prior to a meeting discussing the changes

Experiencing APD

• You can’t keep up. Your supervisor is speaking at 100 kph, you’re listening at 80kph

• Trying to listen to a phone call with poor reception

• Not “hearing” something, asking someone to repeat themselves, and then by the time they’ve started to say it again, your brain catches up and you complete their sentence

Email: rgergens@neurospicyminds.org

Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/rebeka-gergens-neurospicyminds

Description:

"In this strikingly honest collection, developed from a pioneering new research project, autistic teachers and other autistic school professionals share their stories of the challenges and successes of their careers. Contributors challenge assumptions and stereotypes whilst highlighting the unique strengths autistic staff can bring to schools when their own needs are accommodated."