Jade’s Neurodiversity Newsletter

Hat/Harriet Richardson is a white, semi-speaking, multiply neurodivergent Speech Pathologist, Neurodevelopmental Practitioner and writer. She runs the social media account @hat.talks.uk. Kim Mears is a neurodivergent speech and language therapist who has multiple identities. She is a wife, a mother, daughter and friend. She also identifies as an AuDHD narrator and information sharer who loves learning, unlearning and disrupting.

June 18th is Autistic Pride Day, and we wanted to celebrate by bringing neuroaffirming support to as many people as possible. In a world that doesn’t like to make space for difference, it’s more important than ever that Autistic adults and children are supported to accept and embrace their unique self. Research indicates that developing a positive Autistic identity can lead to better mental health and self-esteem. There is nothing wrong with being Autistic.

Alice Running (she/her) is a neuroaffirming autism specialist providing advocacy and consultancy services. She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Autism. As an autistic mother to neurodivergent children, Alice tackles issues around social justice, minority stress, parenting and ableism through her books and other writing.

Marion McLaughlin is the Managing Director of Aurora Autistic Consulting. They have a varied career background including stable hand, road safety officer, primary school teacher, and Autistic led charity CEO. Marion founded Aurora Autistic Consulting to help all kinds of organisations, including schools, workplaces, NHS, and charities, to support Autistic people and their families in a neuroaffirming way.

This article is a combination of, and expansion on, posts originally published on my Facebook page. CBT stands for cognitive behavioural therapy, and it’s a huge umbrella term for dozens of different techniques covering everything from cognitive restructuring to behavioural experiments to exposure and habituation. The CBT cycle (pictured) is based on the idea that a situation prompts thoughts, behaviours, bodily sensations and emotions. They can all feed into and reinforce one another.

Promoting Equity Through Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy was recorded for The PDA Space Summit 2025. I’m sharing it with my paid subscribers as I’m revisiting and going deeper on some of the themes f…

Information - Resources - Webinars - Signposting - Research - Training Welcome to Juneā€™s Neurodiversity Newsletter Not only is June Pride Month, itā€™s also Autistic Pride Day on June 18th. In the webinars listings youā€™ll find events celebrating Autistic identity and educating on LGBTQIA+ issues as they intersect with neurodivergence. Neurodivergent people are more likely to hold an LGBTQIA+ identity, known as the double rainbow šŸŒˆšŸŒˆ What is neurodiversity?

When professionals ask us to “picture”, “replay” or “listen within”, what happens to those of us who can’t? Sassy Smith is founder of Aphantasia Academy, a UK-based training and education platform specialising in invisible cognitive differences including aphantasia, severely deficient autobiographical memory (SDAM), anendophasia, and anauralia.

Glimmers can be thought of as the opposite of triggers. Instead of heralding unpleasant thoughts, feelings, and traumatic memories, they bring joy. Deb Dana first used the term to describe “micro-moments of regulation that foster feelings of well-being.” Occupational therapist Bec Secombes went further, categorising them as “a satisfying sensory delight that fills someone with fervent ecstasy.” Glimmers can be anything, and they’re unique to every individual.

Anne Borden King is an autistic woman who co-founded Autistics for Autistics (A4A), the Canadian self-advocacy & education group. With her leadership, A4A helped open public funding for AAC, speech and occupational therapy in Ontario. She is a journalist with bylines including the New York Times and the host of Noncompliant: A Neurodiversity Podcast. Anne has written three books, most recently The Informed Parent: A Decision-Making Guide to Autism Services and Advocacy.