This special issue of the journal Advances in Autism aims to bring together leading experts and cutting-edge research in the field of education with autistic students across the age range in order to further research knowledge that is transferable to teaching practice. Continue reading
The launch of the National Autistic Taskforce (NAT) was announced at an event at the House of Lords on 12th December 2017. The following is a speech that was made introducing NAT by Dr. Damian Milton who will be taking up the position of Project Leader. http://nationalautismproject.org.uk/national-autistic-taskforce Continue reading
By Dr. Susy Ridout
The second PARC event held at Birmingham City University (October 17th) explored Creating a More Autism Friendly HE Environment. Speaker Jonathan Gadsby was invited to talk about the ‘Survivor Movement’ in mental health and how information from work in this area might inform research and debate in the area of autism. Continue reading
PARC have agreed to host and manage the talks by autistic speakers at the Hub 1 Theatre as well as the ‘Autism Meets’ space at the Autism Show 2018 at all three venues (London 15th-16th June, Birmingham 22nd-23rd June, and Manchester 29th-30th June). The ‘Autism Meets’ space will be available for speakers to talk to audience members before and after their main talks, and where speakers will be able to sell their own services and materials if applicable. Continue reading
By Dr. Susy Ridout
The West Midlands region began with its first PARC event on September 12th 2017. The theme of the event was:
The event attracted a diverse audience from around the country, and individuals came from a wide array of backgrounds: researchers (local, regional, national and internatonal), autistic activists, mentors, nurses, lecturers, clinical psychologists, student union officers and individual students from a number of universities.
The event was opened by a student attending BCU, Seb Stafford-Cook. The presentation gave much food for thought as it addressed issues of terminology, the impact of this terminology, bullying and feeling different and isolated in school. Seb highlighted his experiences whereby some teachers had either failed to respond to bullying, or had responded inappropriately, leaving him even more frustrated and distressed. This subsequently resulted in feelings of anger and depression which he felt unsupported in managing.
Many of the issues touched on were ones that had been experienced by others present, and this encouraged questions from the audience. In particular, people were interested as to how Seb now situated himself regarding autism given that past experiences and imposed terminology were so negative. This opened the doors for a wider debate which was then taken forward into the next part of the conference as familiar ground and interest were established.
Dr Damian Milton was then introduced as the Chair of PARC, and he explained its purpose, namely to bring autistic and non-autistic individuals and organisations together to work in a participatory manner researching key aspects from the agenda set by autistics. Other important areas of work and research, where autistic individuals had a voice were highlighted e.g. Autonomy, Autscape and the Cygnet Mentoring Project, and this event emphasised the importance of sharing information across ages, sectors and interest groups.
Dr Susy Ridout then introduced the format of the remainder of the day, where people first got into groups to explore similarities and differences between:
The groups initially discussed these, with a notetaker writing down key points. Prompts were taken from Seb’s talk if needed, and then these were drawn together to clarify messages being made.
(N.B. permission has been given by individuals for the following photos to be used on this site, and they are not necessarily attached to the expressed views above/below which they sit).
Involve all staff and students even in student-led groups
Critical dialogues on neurodiversity: A Special Section of Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research
Special Section editors: Damian Milton, Mitzi Waltz & Hanna Bertilsdotter Rosqvist Continue reading
To be held on Tuesday 12th September at Birmingham City University (BCU), City South Campus, Seacole Building Room 202 from 1-5pm:
Use of Diverse Methods for Bringing Together Autistic and Non-autistic Individuals in the H.E. Environment to Explore Wellbeing
Places are limited, as the event has been initially publicised to those studying at BCU. If you are interested in attending please email damianmilton.sociology@yahoo.com
By Dr. Damian E M Milton
It has come to my attention that the NICE guidelines on Autism and guidance from the Royal College of Psychiatrists on Autism were not published until 2014. Thus the clinician in this case could not have disregarded them, and I apologise for this mistake and have updated the blog post. However, I still think the contrast is striking.
“Are autistic people at greater risk of being radicalized? Those with the condition could be more likely to become ‘lone wolf’ terrorists”
So read a headline in the Daily Mail newspaper on Friday, 23rd June 2017.
My neighbours read the Daily Mail.
My neighbours know that I’m autistic, and that my life involves personal, professional and academic autism-related activism.
Brace for impact. Continue reading
In this blog linked to the National Autism Project, PARC chair Dr. Damian Milton describes the future of autism research and practice that he would like to see:
http://nationalautismproject.org.uk/the-future-id-like-to-see-dr-damian-milton
