Removing the mask on autistic girls: How they mask, the effects on mental health, and how to support Autistic Girls Network 2022-11-09 | Next in the series of #AGNConversations we talk to Dr Hannah Belcher, a user-led researcher at Kings College London and author of Taking Off the Mask. This webinar will be looking at how autistic girls mask, what this does to their mental health and how best to support them.
Autistic Girls Network subtitles Autistic Girls Network 2025-01-22 | Our new film about an internal profile of autism, brilliantly created for us by HelpFilm. Please share to create awareness so that we can recognise those who present this way earlier.
Autism & Menopause with Dr Aimee Grant Autistic Girls Network 2024-11-14 | Dr Aimee Grant is an autistic Senior Lecturer and Study Lead for the Autism: from menstruation to menopause project.The project aims to create new understandings of reproductive health experiences of Autistic women and others with wombs across the lifecourse. This includes things like periods, contraception, endometriosis and other gynaecological conditions, and menopause.The project is Autistic-led and is co-governed by a Community Council of Autistic people. You can read more about this on the About us page. They have recently begun contacting participants for the research study, which will involve 100 Autistic people taking part in 10 interviews each over a 5-year period. The project will last eight years, ending in October 2030. By this time, they hope to design tools to make healthcare more accessible for Autistic people.This webinar will mostly be concentrating on menopause and how autistic people may be affected differently to non-autistic people.
Sara Boon - Young, Autistic and ADHD: Moving into Adulthood when Youre Multiply Neurodivergent Autistic Girls Network 2024-08-08 | Navigating life as a young autistic person with ADHD isn't always easy. Luckily, Sarah Boon is here to share her own experiences, helping you to explore how autism and ADHD overlap and identify the strategies that will make day-to-day life easier.Sarah Boon is a late-discovered autistic ADHDer who started sharing her experiences of being neurodivergent on her blog Autistically Sarah and on social media @saraheboon several years ago. Now in her debut book 'Young, Autistic and ADHD', Sarah shares her insights and what her younger neurodivergent self needed to know to thrive, so that the next generation of autistic ADHDers can more easily navigate the challenges that life brings to young neurodivergent people.Sarah also provides consultancy on autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and neurodiversity. Sarah also has professional experience supporting neurodivergent people in addition to a Masters in the Psychology of Education and a PgCert in Autism.
University - An Autistic Guide to Surviving and Thriving Autistic Girls Network 2024-07-13 | We're delighted to welcome Harriet Axbey, autistic author and researcher to our #AGNConversations series. Harriet has written a helpful and informative handbook as a trusty guide to starting university for autistic young people, providing support and useful tips for what will be the biggest transition students will have ever experienced. If you or your child is starting university this year, this promises to be a perfect introduction to starting, what to expect, navigating your first year and some tips and tricks on how to cope.
Neurodivergent Owner-Trained Assistance Dogs with Aimee Gardiner from Pawfectly Behaved Autistic Girls Network 2024-06-07 | Aimee Gardiner is an experienced animal trainer & behaviourist, who specialises in training assistance dogs particularly with neurodivergent clients. She uses positive reinforcement and positive training techniques. I keep up to date with all the latest research and still attend training workshops and events in order to get the latest, up-to-date information about behaviour and training. She also lectures in this topic at universities and advises various organisations such as the NHS, major companies and major airlines.She now has people from all over the UK come to train with her, and also trains and competes with her own dogs, a Flatcoated Retriever and English Springer Spaniel. They have been trained with the same positive methods that she uses with every animal she trains, to great success.Aimee has an MSc and a BSc (Hons), both in Applied Animal Behaviour and Training as well as a BTEC National Diploma in Animal Management, and is neurodivergent herself. She runs Pawfectly Behaved, offering Qualified, Experienced and Insured Dog Behaviour and Training Services in South Birmingham, West Midlands.
#AGNConversations with Dayna Abraham on Calming the Chaos Autistic Girls Network 2024-05-09 | Dayna Abraham, bestselling author of Calm the Chaos: A Fail-Proof Roadmap for Parenting Even the Most Challenging Kids.As a National Board Certified educator, parent of three neurodivergent children, and an ADHD adult herself, Dayna brings a unique and out-of-the-box perspective to parents raising kids in the modern world.Through her compassionate framework, Calm the Chaos, she has helped millions of desperate parents around the world, find peace and meet their children where they're at when conventional parenting tools have failed them.
Elle McNicoll webinar Autistic Girls Network 2024-04-09 | We're delighted to welcome award-winning author and screenwriter Elle McNicoll to our #AGNConversations to talk about neurodivergent representation in media as well as her new book Keedie!
#EmmaAGNConversations on Being AuDHD with Dr Emma Craddock Autistic Girls Network 2024-03-12 | Here we're going to explore what it means to be both autistic and ADHD!Dr Emma Craddock is a Senior Lecturer in Health Research at Birmingham City University. She completed her PhD in Sociology at the University of Nottingham in 2017 with a thesis focused on gender and local anti-austerity activist cultures. Emma’s monograph Living Against Austerity: A Feminist Investigation of Doing Activism and Being Activist was published in 2020. Emma continues to develop feminist research in the area of women’s health, and is currently researching women’s experiences of being diagnosed with autism and ADHD in adulthood, as an AuDHD researcher.
#AGN Conversations with Steph Curtis: PDA in the Family Autistic Girls Network 2024-02-09 | Steph Curtis is a passionate advocate, dedicated parent, and the creative mind behind the influential blog, "Steph's Two Girls." Born out of her personal journey as a mother navigating parenting a child with PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) and putting her child at the heart of everything, Steph's blog has become a beacon of support and understanding for families facing similar circumstances.Steph's writing is characterized by its authenticity, empathy, and a commitment to fostering a sense of community among parents and caregivers.Tonight we'll be tackling some of the most common topics that come up in our Facebook group, and thinking about how we can change the narrative around PDA.Steph has now authored the groundbreaking book, "PDA in the Family." This comprehensive work delves into the intricacies of PDA, offering practical advice, heartfelt anecdotes, and a wealth of resources to empower families. By sharing her personal journey and expertise, Steph aims to demystify PDA, promote understanding, and inspire others to embrace neurodiversity.
#AGNConversations with Dr. Judy Eaton: Missed and Misdiagnosed Autistic Girls Network 2024-01-23 | Autism presents in a multitude of different and highly nuanced ways – particularly as it intersects with variance in class, gender, race and age.Misunderstanding and misinformation around variant and differing presentations means that misdiagnosed individuals and those who do not receive a diagnosis at all are often failed by medical, education, social care and criminal justice systems. Like us, Judy is trying to change that.Dr Judy Eaton is a clinical psychologist with vast experience of working with autistic girls and women, and runs the very well-respected Help For Psychology.
Eliza Frickers Thumbsucker: An illustrated journey through an undiagnosed autistic childhood Autistic Girls Network 2023-11-24 | We're delighted to have hosted the online launch of Sunday Times Bestselling author Eliza Fricker's new book Thumbsucker: An illustrated journey through an undiagnosed autistic childhood.Best-selling author of Can't Not Won't, Eliza Fricker has a new book out!Spoilt. Weirdo. Fussy. Hypochondriac. Chatterbox.Eliza spent her childhood being told she was all of these until her autism diagnosis as an adult revealed why she had experienced the world so differently. But what does it mean to grow up knowing you are different, misunderstood, 'difficult'?Funny, witty and tender, Sunday Times bestselling author and illustrator Eliza Fricker, uses her own memories of growing up in the 80s to explore how neurodiversity presents itself in everyday life and what neurodivergent children really need from the people who love them.From the introduction:This book tells the story of growing up different. It takes ownership of the names I was called. I know now that thosenames weren’t nice and only taught me to hide my difficulties more. I grew up feeling ashamed and questioning who I was.It was exhausting.It was confusing.I hid myself.I wasn’t doing it on purpose. I was actually finding lots of things really hard and exhausting. Those names didn’t help,they just made me feel bad (a lot of the time). But I feel passionate about not just accepting this. And not acceptingsome of the roles that pigeon-hole and define the female experience in particular. Now I want to say – just becausethat’s how it was then doesn’t mean it was okay.
A Conversation with Neurodivergent Author Sally J Pla: Books, Representation and Neurodiversity Autistic Girls Network 2023-08-18 | In addition to being an advocate for neurodiversity and autism acceptance, Sally J. Pla is the award-winning author of The Someday Birds and Stanley Will Probably Be Fine (HarperCollins), and the picture book Benji, The Bad Day, And Me (Lee and Low). The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn (HarperCollins/QuillTree), is just out and is the story of Maudie, an autistic girl having to keep a horrible secret.She’s also co-founder and editor of A Novel Mind, a web resource on mental health and neurodiversity in children’s lit. Find out more at https://linktr.ee/SallyJPla, and follow her on Twitter @sallyjpla.
A Conversation with best-selling author Holly Smale Autistic Girls Network 2023-07-27 | Holly Smale didn't know when she wrote her debut novel Geek Girl that it would go on to sell 3.4 million copies, or become a series, or that she was autistic, or that her character Harriet Manners was also autistic. It's fair to say life has changed!Now Holly has written a new adult novel, The Cassandra Complex, with a neurodivergent heroine that will make a lot of autistic women feel seen, and Geek Girl is soon to become televised on Netflix! We're delighted to welcome her to our #AGNConversations series to talk about it all.
Conversation on Autistic Masking with Dr Amy Pearson and Kieran Rose Autistic Girls Network 2023-07-13 | AGN are delighted to welcome Dr Amy Pearson and Kieran Rose to the #AGNConversation series to talk about autistic masking and their new book of the same title.Dr Amy Pearson is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Sunderland and an autistic autism researcher. Her work focuses on understanding the impact of interpersonal victimisation among autistic people, and the relationship between autistic identity and masking/stigma.Kieran Rose operates the Autistic Advocate, delivering specialist training and consultancy in autism and neurodiversity. He is a published research partner with the Institute of Leadership and Management on the experiences of neurodivergent people in employment. He is a Research Associate at the University of Sunderland, co-producing qualitative research into different areas on autism with his research partner, Dr Amy Pearson.Pavilion Publishing link: pavpub.com/learning-disability/autism/autistic-masking-understanding-identity-managementAmazon UK link: amazon.co.uk/Autistic-Masking-Understanding-Identity-Management/dp/1803882115/ref=sr_1_1?crid=25XDEACCHWYA8&keywords=autistic+masking&qid=1685632240&sprefix=%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-1
Empowering uncommon minds: Strategies for helping your young person discover and use their strengths Autistic Girls Network 2023-06-23 | Join us for an inspiring session with Uncommon, a pioneering organisation dedicated to building confidence and self-esteem in neurodivergent young teens. bemoreuncommon.comIn this webinar, founders Sascha and Kirsten will share the ground-breaking research conducted by Uncommon, shedding light on the importance of understanding strengths in neurodivergent young people. Learn more about how a strengths-based approach can empower your young person to manage their challenges, build confidence and self esteem and thrive in all aspects of life.
Conversations with Dr Naomi Fisher on Self-Directed Learning and Neurodiversity Autistic Girls Network 2023-06-20 | Dr Naomi Fisher is a clinical psychologist and author of Changing Our Minds, How Children Can Take Control of their Own Learning. She specialises in trauma, autism and alternatives to school. In this webinar, she will be looking at how neurodivergent children can thrive in an environment where they have more autonomy to direct their own learning, and talk about her clinical experience with children who have not thrived in the mainstream education system.Her second book, A Different Way to Learn: Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education (illustrated by Eliza Fricker), will be published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers on June 21st. It's a deep dive into what learning looks like in neurodivergent families when they don't do school. She can be found on Facebook under Dr Naomi Fisher, and a collection of her writings are on Substack, at www.naomicfisher.substack.com.
Navigating Diagnosis and Beyond with Sarah OBrien Autistic Girls Network 2023-06-06 | For autistic women and girls navigating their autism diagnosis, whether self or clinical diagnosis.Sarah O'Brien is an autistic researcher, author and inclusion expert. Her book So, I’m Autistic, will be published in June 2023 for autistic young women and girls who are navigating a diagnosis, whether that's a clinical diagnosis or self diagnosis. It’s a book that she wrote because there wasn’t anything that felt appropriate for autistic women and girls when she was diagnosed nearly a decade ago. It is something that girls and women seeking a diagnosis and their parents can find comfort in, build a strong and happy autistic identity from and feel a bit more sure about themselves from.Sarah writes that she has found wonderful solidarity and strength as part of the Autistic Girls Network Facebook group, of which she's been a member since March 2019.
Empowering Autistic Girls: Confidence, Autonomy and Personal Growth with Dr Cloie Parfitt Autistic Girls Network 2023-04-22 | We're joined by autistic psychotherapist Cloie Parfitt, an experienced counsellor, psychotherapist and researcher undertaking a professional doctorate degree programme in counselling and psychotherapy at The University of Edinburgh. Her own research examines trauma in Autistic women and girls, but in this workshop she'll be covering:Supporting identity development, confidence, and self-esteemCommon friendship challenges and how to navigate themInnocence, boundaries, and learned assertivenessManaging meltdown, shutdown, and emotional sensitivityDeveloping healthy coping mechanisms to manage future adversitiesThe documents and slides mentioned in the video can be found here: drive.google.com/file/d/1dprGXsZTZJp8VAbiE5WesYD7kQJa-T4C/view?usp=share_link
A Conversation with Autistic Advocate and Author Pete Wharmby Autistic Girls Network 2023-04-03 | We couldn't wait any longer to bring Pete Wharmby into our conversation series!Expect us to talk about books, education, special interests and much more.Pete says: After being diagnosed as autistic at the age of 34 in 2017, I have immersed myself in working to improve autistic awareness, acceptance and making the world a more suitable place for the neurodivergent community. I am most active on Twitter, where I go by the handle ‘@Commaficionado’ and on YouTube, where my channel is approaching 2500 subscribers. My first book, What I Want to Talk About, was published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers on 21 st September 2022, and my second book, Untypical, will be published by HarperCollins on 16 th March 2023. I am a former teacher and a father-of-one.
Parents Evening with Autistic Girls Network Autistic Girls Network 2023-03-09 | To celebrate International Women's Day and the 1st birthday of our white paper Autism, Girls and Keeping it All Inside, we gathered together our CEO Cathy, Co-Chair Claire and Trustee Emily to answer questions from parents of autistic young people.
#AGNConversations with Eliza Fricker on Emotionally Based School Avoidance Autistic Girls Network 2023-02-25 | We're delighted to welcome author and illustrator Eliza Fricker to our #AGNConversations series to talk about Emotionally Based School Avoidance and her new book Can't Not Won't.This is a highly relevant topic for many of the families in our Facebook group and it's a hot topic generally in an environment where the government is forcing schools to 'crack down' on attendance even further.Eliza is an autistic author and illustrator many will know from her illustrations under the Missing The Mark banner, and from her previous book The Family Experience of PDA.
#AGNConversations with Chloé Hayden Autistic Girls Network 2023-02-02 | You won't want to miss our conversation with the amazing Chloé Hayden.Our #AGNConversations series continues with a virtual meet up with the amazing Chloé Hayden. 2022 was a life changing year for Chloé and we're going to talk about her book, Different Not Less, her advocacy work, winning awards and working on the hit TV series Heartbreak High.
#AGNConversations on the Bullying of Autistic Young People with Dr Emily Lovegrove Autistic Girls Network 2023-01-12 | Dr Emily Lovegrove is an autistic psychologist specialising in managing bullying around difference. In this webinar she explains why bullying tends to happen, why the 'classic' strategies don't tend to work and gives us clear strategies which will work.Her book Autism, Bullying and Me is available here: amazon.co.uk/Autism-Bullying-Me-Really-Brilliantly/dp/1787752135
Nurturing Your Autistic Young Person Autistic Girls Network 2022-12-22 | In celebration of the publication of her new book, Autistic Girls Network CEO Cathy is running a webinar on how to help nurture your late-diagnosed autistic young person, give them a sense of positive autistic identity, help them self-regulate and light the spark for advocating for themselves.
#AGNConversations with Steve Silberman, author of NeuroTribes Autistic Girls Network 2022-11-09 | A fascinating, hour-long conversation with Steve Silberman who wrote the best-selling, award-winning history of autism and neurodiversity, NeuroTribes. Steve dropped some gems in here - well worth a watch!
Feeling Autistic: Interoception and Emotional Differences with Joanna Grace Autistic Girls Network 2022-10-05 | A look at interoception and differences in emotional processing and the impact that may have on mental health.This addition to our #AGNconversations series, with sensory engagement and inclusion specialist Joanna Grace, looks at interoception and differences in emotional processing, discussing how the neurodivide impacts the advice you're given with regards to mental health and how a lack of understanding of neurodifference can mean you're identified as having a mental health issue when in fact what you have is normal mental health for an autistic person. It also looks at how sensory differences place additional burdens on our stress levels.
Supporting Autistic Students at University Autistic Girls Network 2022-09-02 | In partnership with Sascha and Kirsten from Uncommon, this live event looks at what an autistic young person may find fulfilling and difficult at university, and how to support them. It also looks at the support you can expect both from Disabled Students Allowance (in the UK) and from the universities themselves.This event is looking at UK university life and may not be completely relevant outside the UK.Here's a link to Uncommon so you can see the kind of resources that are being offered to students. youtu.be/o5fC2MQ7ftk
Neurodivergent Lives: from School Experiences to Adulthood Autistic Girls Network 2022-07-21 | This short film is a montage of videos sent to us by neurodivergent adults, telling us what their school years had been like (mostly not a positive experience then) and what they are doing now.It's a burst of positivity for neurodivergent young people who may be having a tough time at school to show that your school experiences don't define you.
Keeping well in the summer holidays with Autistic Girls Network Autistic Girls Network 2022-07-21 | This video looks at how to cope with the long unstructured time over the school summer holidays for autistic children and young people. The video was created by Tess Ward, a young autistic woman who is currently doing work experience with us. You can visit Tess's channel at youtube.com/channel/UCw4ICCvtcYUGyuAHJrG7OkAso do go and subscribe!
A Sensory Exploration of Being a Teenage Autistic Girl with Joanna Grace Autistic Girls Network 2022-06-07 | An exploration into the mind and sensory reactions of a teenage autistic girl (who didn't know she was autistic), by her adult self. Joanna Grace is a renowned Sensory Engagement and Inclusion Specialist, a globally published author, and the founder of The Sensory Projects. http://wwwTheSensoryProjects.co.uk Jo's work is underpinned by her autistic love of knowledge and sense of justice. In all she does she is seeking to contribute to a world where people are understood in spite of their differences. Jo was identified as autistic aged 36. Post diagnosis she came to understand the impact of her sensory differences on her emotional wellbeing. In this intimate chat Jo will talk about what a difference that understanding could have made to her teenage years.
Autism and Anxiety with Dr. Luke Beardon Autistic Girls Network 2022-05-25 | Dr Luke Beardon has written 3 books - you might have seen his books on Anxiety in Autistic Adults or in Autistic Children.Luke has an inclusive, positive approach to helping autistic people thrive in a neurotypical world, celebrating strengths as well as acknowledging difficulties.Part of the #AGNConversations series.
How to build up to and support young people through transitions Autistic Girls Network 2022-05-04 | A conversation with Cathy at Autistic Girls Network and Uncommon founders Sascha and Kirsten.Hello! We're Kirsten and Sascha and we are the founders of Uncommon (www.uncommonminds.co.uk)Uncommon is a company building products to support the mental health of neurodivergent teenagers.Having spoken with many young people and their parents we know how challenging the transition into college, uni, jobs, or new settings can be. So we're running a webinar with Cathy at Autistic Girls Network focussed on how to build up to, and support young people through, transitions.This was a live session, and some aspects such as the live feedback survey will not be interactive on the replay.Part of the #AGNConversations series.
Neurodivergent Lives Autistic Girls Network 2022-05-04 | We've got many young and older people in our Facebook group that perhaps haven't had a happy time at school. But we wanted to let our young neurodivergent people currently at school know that what happens in school doesn't define them, and that if it doesn't go so well, there are always options in life. Take a look and see what some of the people who sent us videos are doing now!#NeurodivergentLives
Body Mapping - supporting autistic girls to hare experiences of school Autistic Girls Network 2022-04-24 | We're in conversation with Chloe East, a Doctoral Researcher who is introducing us to the benefits of body mapping for sharing experiences.Chloe is a Doctoral Researcher from the University of Southampton, and her project involves working together with autistic teenage girls to explore the transition from primary to secondary school. Chloe and her team have used creative methods to explore school experiences and from the results of that process, have designed some resources that they hope will support future girls experiencing the transition by raising awareness of how autistic girls experience school.In this workshop Chloe will talk more about the process of working with an amazing group of co-researchers and will introduce Body Mapping as a method to support young people to share their experiences. We will do a short body mapping activity so please have some paper - the bigger the better - and coloured pens or pencils ready! This session was a live workshop so some aspects will not be interactive on the replay.Part of the #AGNConversations series.
Building a Positive Space for your Autistic Child and/or Yourself with Chris Bonnello Autistic Girls Network 2022-03-28 | A conversation with @AutisticNotWeird Chris Bonnello - autism advocate, teacher, mentor and author of the Underdogs series of books.We're in conversation with Chris Bonnello about lots of things - from why you should tell your child they're autistic to how to create a nurturing, positive space for your neurodivergent family. Who knows where it will lead?!Part of the #AGNConversation series.
Conversation on creating a low arousal environment to reduce stress Autistic Girls Network 2022-03-07 | Professor Andy McDonnell is a psychologist and the founder of the low arousal approach.Andy is going to talk about how to create a low arousal/demand sensory environment for your autistic young person, and how schools can avoid situations where they might otherwise use restraint and seclusion. It's a must for both parents and school staff.Part of the #AGNConversations series.
Conversation on Autistic Young People and Eating Disorders with Elizabeth Shea Autistic Girls Network 2022-02-28 | Dr Elizabeth Shea is a Clinical Psychologist who specialises in food and eating issues.About this eventTogether with Gillian Harris, she wrote the book Food Refusal and Avoidant Eating in Children, including those with Autism Spectrum Conditions: A Practical Guide for Parents and Professionals. Dr Shea will be talking about why eating disorders tend to co-occur in autistic people, looking at ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and giving us tips on how you can recognise an eating disorder in your young person and support them.Part of the #AGNConversations series.
Launching Autistic Girls Network as a charity Autistic Girls Network 2021-06-12 | One of our Trustees, Emily explains why we are applying to be a charity and why it is necessary that we fundraise to raise awareness of autism in girls.
