Dr 🫥
@draevans.bsky.social
An unpaid carer. Autism, dyslexia. Former soldier. I rant at the machine. No DMs 🏴
Author of “A practical guide to autism”. Available from Pavilion.
https://amzn.eu/d/evXQGOv
Science & evidence first!
Author of “A practical guide to autism”. Available from Pavilion.
https://amzn.eu/d/evXQGOv
Science & evidence first!
Pinned
Dr 🫥
@draevans.bsky.social
· Dec 10
Raising an autistic child is complicated and at times difficult, or nearly impossible.
Please understand the issue has little to do with autism, but other people; gatekeepers, medics, LA officers, teachers..
How you practically deal with them I discuss in my “Practical Guide on Autism”.
Please understand the issue has little to do with autism, but other people; gatekeepers, medics, LA officers, teachers..
How you practically deal with them I discuss in my “Practical Guide on Autism”.
Reposted by Dr 🫥
Words matter with autism, anxiety & ADHD.
When some one is in the pit of despair they don’t need:
A clever anecdote
A story that shows your suffering
A “there there” to patronise
A “it’s not that bad” to trivialise the pain
Remember it is not your hole, so listen
When some one is in the pit of despair they don’t need:
A clever anecdote
A story that shows your suffering
A “there there” to patronise
A “it’s not that bad” to trivialise the pain
Remember it is not your hole, so listen
December 28, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Words matter with autism, anxiety & ADHD.
When some one is in the pit of despair they don’t need:
A clever anecdote
A story that shows your suffering
A “there there” to patronise
A “it’s not that bad” to trivialise the pain
Remember it is not your hole, so listen
When some one is in the pit of despair they don’t need:
A clever anecdote
A story that shows your suffering
A “there there” to patronise
A “it’s not that bad” to trivialise the pain
Remember it is not your hole, so listen
Reposted by Dr 🫥
As a sandwich unpaid carer empathy is important.
But so is knowing when to be practical. Empathy empowers but also creates the need for respite.
Learn a little about empathy & the consequences.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thre...
But so is knowing when to be practical. Empathy empowers but also creates the need for respite.
Learn a little about empathy & the consequences.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thre...
Don't Drown in Empathy
Discover why understanding others’ perspectives—without absorbing their pain—can transform your relationships, boost resilience, and prevent burnout.
www.psychologytoday.com
December 21, 2025 at 5:39 AM
As a sandwich unpaid carer empathy is important.
But so is knowing when to be practical. Empathy empowers but also creates the need for respite.
Learn a little about empathy & the consequences.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thre...
But so is knowing when to be practical. Empathy empowers but also creates the need for respite.
Learn a little about empathy & the consequences.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thre...
Reposted by Dr 🫥
If you believe self-diagnosis gets you PIP you have been duped.
PIP requires overlapping & overwhelming evidence.
PIP is applications & assessments contain overlapping & open ended questions designed to spot fibs.
PIP fraud is statistically ZERO.
PIP requires overlapping & overwhelming evidence.
PIP is applications & assessments contain overlapping & open ended questions designed to spot fibs.
PIP fraud is statistically ZERO.
December 10, 2025 at 3:07 AM
If you believe self-diagnosis gets you PIP you have been duped.
PIP requires overlapping & overwhelming evidence.
PIP is applications & assessments contain overlapping & open ended questions designed to spot fibs.
PIP fraud is statistically ZERO.
PIP requires overlapping & overwhelming evidence.
PIP is applications & assessments contain overlapping & open ended questions designed to spot fibs.
PIP fraud is statistically ZERO.
Words matter with autism, anxiety & ADHD.
When some one is in the pit of despair they don’t need:
A clever anecdote
A story that shows your suffering
A “there there” to patronise
A “it’s not that bad” to trivialise the pain
Remember it is not your hole, so listen
When some one is in the pit of despair they don’t need:
A clever anecdote
A story that shows your suffering
A “there there” to patronise
A “it’s not that bad” to trivialise the pain
Remember it is not your hole, so listen
December 28, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Words matter with autism, anxiety & ADHD.
When some one is in the pit of despair they don’t need:
A clever anecdote
A story that shows your suffering
A “there there” to patronise
A “it’s not that bad” to trivialise the pain
Remember it is not your hole, so listen
When some one is in the pit of despair they don’t need:
A clever anecdote
A story that shows your suffering
A “there there” to patronise
A “it’s not that bad” to trivialise the pain
Remember it is not your hole, so listen
Reposted by Dr 🫥
You have two types of Political Party in the UK.
"Lets tax the rich and make things better for everyone."
Or
"Lets blame Immigrants, Disabled People and Pensioners so we can get in a party who will make the billionaires even richer and things worse for everyone else."
"Lets tax the rich and make things better for everyone."
Or
"Lets blame Immigrants, Disabled People and Pensioners so we can get in a party who will make the billionaires even richer and things worse for everyone else."
December 18, 2025 at 5:47 PM
You have two types of Political Party in the UK.
"Lets tax the rich and make things better for everyone."
Or
"Lets blame Immigrants, Disabled People and Pensioners so we can get in a party who will make the billionaires even richer and things worse for everyone else."
"Lets tax the rich and make things better for everyone."
Or
"Lets blame Immigrants, Disabled People and Pensioners so we can get in a party who will make the billionaires even richer and things worse for everyone else."
As an unpaid carer it easier to say “fine” because most people are ignorant or indifferent.
Most of life is spent repairing this track.
Most of life is spent repairing this track.
December 21, 2025 at 9:24 AM
As an unpaid carer it easier to say “fine” because most people are ignorant or indifferent.
Most of life is spent repairing this track.
Most of life is spent repairing this track.
As a sandwich unpaid carer empathy is important.
But so is knowing when to be practical. Empathy empowers but also creates the need for respite.
Learn a little about empathy & the consequences.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thre...
But so is knowing when to be practical. Empathy empowers but also creates the need for respite.
Learn a little about empathy & the consequences.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thre...
Don't Drown in Empathy
Discover why understanding others’ perspectives—without absorbing their pain—can transform your relationships, boost resilience, and prevent burnout.
www.psychologytoday.com
December 21, 2025 at 5:39 AM
As a sandwich unpaid carer empathy is important.
But so is knowing when to be practical. Empathy empowers but also creates the need for respite.
Learn a little about empathy & the consequences.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thre...
But so is knowing when to be practical. Empathy empowers but also creates the need for respite.
Learn a little about empathy & the consequences.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thre...
Reposted by Dr 🫥
DON’T MISS: Mazefsky et al (2025) shows how autism researchers can design studies that will identify new areas for suicide prevention and intervention by adopting a multi-method, dimensional approach to mental health.
FREE until 24th December
www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1177/...
FREE until 24th December
www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Advancing Research on Suicide and Mental Health in Autistic Adults Through a Research Domain Criteria-Inspired Framework | Autism in Adulthood
Given the dearth of research on adulthood in autism prior to the last decade, we need methods to accelerate progress. One area of interest is mental health, but studies focusing on isolated methods or...
www.liebertpub.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:19 PM
DON’T MISS: Mazefsky et al (2025) shows how autism researchers can design studies that will identify new areas for suicide prevention and intervention by adopting a multi-method, dimensional approach to mental health.
FREE until 24th December
www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1177/...
FREE until 24th December
www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1177/...
December 19, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Reposted by Dr 🫥
#AutRes therapists using exposure therapies w/ Autistic clients to support client Autonomy in Affirming goal setting (A), support differences in Sensory, Stimming, Structure, Special interests (S), Communication (C), & Exec Functioning (E), practice with Neurohumility (N), and be Trauma informed (T)
Frontiers | How the ASCENT model can help optimize exposure therapies for Autistic clients
Exposure therapies are very effective for alleviating anxiety, yet limited research has focused on optimizing their effectiveness for Autistic clients. This ...
www.frontiersin.org
December 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
#AutRes therapists using exposure therapies w/ Autistic clients to support client Autonomy in Affirming goal setting (A), support differences in Sensory, Stimming, Structure, Special interests (S), Communication (C), & Exec Functioning (E), practice with Neurohumility (N), and be Trauma informed (T)
Reposted by Dr 🫥
Autism researcher Dr Jennifer Kirton and disability advocate Adele Curley share both professional and lived experience of neurodiversity 🧠
Read more in the Alumni 2025-26 edition
👉 www.liverpool.ac.uk/alumni-magaz...
Read more in the Alumni 2025-26 edition
👉 www.liverpool.ac.uk/alumni-magaz...
Alumni 2025 edition
The magazine for Alumni of the University of Liverpool
www.liverpool.ac.uk
December 11, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Autism researcher Dr Jennifer Kirton and disability advocate Adele Curley share both professional and lived experience of neurodiversity 🧠
Read more in the Alumni 2025-26 edition
👉 www.liverpool.ac.uk/alumni-magaz...
Read more in the Alumni 2025-26 edition
👉 www.liverpool.ac.uk/alumni-magaz...
Reposted by Dr 🫥
Inclusive classrooms work, but how and for whom matters. This new autism research offers some surprising insights that could really guide practice: thisweekinschoolpsychology.com/blog/2025/12...
#autism #schoolpsychology
#autism #schoolpsychology
Which Kids Thrive in Inclusive Classrooms? New Autism Research Reveals Unexpected Clues - This Week In School Psychology
Should the child learn in an inclusive classroom with typically developing peers, or in a specialized autism-specific program?
thisweekinschoolpsychology.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Inclusive classrooms work, but how and for whom matters. This new autism research offers some surprising insights that could really guide practice: thisweekinschoolpsychology.com/blog/2025/12...
#autism #schoolpsychology
#autism #schoolpsychology
If you believe self-diagnosis gets you PIP you have been duped.
PIP requires overlapping & overwhelming evidence.
PIP is applications & assessments contain overlapping & open ended questions designed to spot fibs.
PIP fraud is statistically ZERO.
PIP requires overlapping & overwhelming evidence.
PIP is applications & assessments contain overlapping & open ended questions designed to spot fibs.
PIP fraud is statistically ZERO.
December 10, 2025 at 3:07 AM
If you believe self-diagnosis gets you PIP you have been duped.
PIP requires overlapping & overwhelming evidence.
PIP is applications & assessments contain overlapping & open ended questions designed to spot fibs.
PIP fraud is statistically ZERO.
PIP requires overlapping & overwhelming evidence.
PIP is applications & assessments contain overlapping & open ended questions designed to spot fibs.
PIP fraud is statistically ZERO.
Reposted by Dr 🫥
Exploring Alexithymia, Uncertainty, Anxious Arousal, and Social Anxiety as Mediators of the Relationship Between Sensory Processing Differences and Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in Autistic Adults - Moore et al - Autism Research - 2025 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Exploring Alexithymia, Uncertainty, Anxious Arousal, and Social Anxiety as Mediators of the Relationship Between Sensory Processing Differences and Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in Autistic Adul...
Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRB) are associated with sensory processing (SP) differences for autistic people, and are thought to be a coping strategy to help manage the sensory environment. ....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Exploring Alexithymia, Uncertainty, Anxious Arousal, and Social Anxiety as Mediators of the Relationship Between Sensory Processing Differences and Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in Autistic Adults - Moore et al - Autism Research - 2025 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
One of the overlooked aspects of sharing a journey with autism is loneliness.
“Society” often rejects anything that is perceived as different or disabled.
Parents loose fair weather friends & autistic people struggle to make or keep friends.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
“Society” often rejects anything that is perceived as different or disabled.
Parents loose fair weather friends & autistic people struggle to make or keep friends.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Children In Need funded charity helps with 'loneliness' of autism
SKY Autism helps children with autism and their families in Malvern, Worcestershire
www.bbc.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 6:04 AM
One of the overlooked aspects of sharing a journey with autism is loneliness.
“Society” often rejects anything that is perceived as different or disabled.
Parents loose fair weather friends & autistic people struggle to make or keep friends.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
“Society” often rejects anything that is perceived as different or disabled.
Parents loose fair weather friends & autistic people struggle to make or keep friends.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Dr 🫥
I’ve had a busy few weeks with life, travel & grant deadlines, but I’m really pleased that a letter I wrote has been published.
In it, I recommend that autism researchers talk about midlife and old age as separate life stages, not conflating the two.
doi.org/10.1177/1362...
#AutRes
In it, I recommend that autism researchers talk about midlife and old age as separate life stages, not conflating the two.
doi.org/10.1177/1362...
#AutRes
Distinguishing midlife and old age: A recommendation for autism researchers - Gavin R Stewart, 2025
Research on ageing in autism has sharply increased following a number of influential publications that highlighted the lack of knowledge in this area. However, ...
journals.sagepub.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:44 PM
I’ve had a busy few weeks with life, travel & grant deadlines, but I’m really pleased that a letter I wrote has been published.
In it, I recommend that autism researchers talk about midlife and old age as separate life stages, not conflating the two.
doi.org/10.1177/1362...
#AutRes
In it, I recommend that autism researchers talk about midlife and old age as separate life stages, not conflating the two.
doi.org/10.1177/1362...
#AutRes
Reposted by Dr 🫥
So cool: Autism researcher @desirjones.bsky.social talks with the original Steve from Blue's Clues about autism and neurodivergence! Available on YouTube or as a podcast.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLKV...
#autism #neurodiversity #BluesClues
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLKV...
#autism #neurodiversity #BluesClues
Dr. Desiree Jones on Neurodivergence: Who Decides What’s “Normal”?
YouTube video by Alive with Steve Burns
www.youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:02 PM
So cool: Autism researcher @desirjones.bsky.social talks with the original Steve from Blue's Clues about autism and neurodivergence! Available on YouTube or as a podcast.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLKV...
#autism #neurodiversity #BluesClues
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLKV...
#autism #neurodiversity #BluesClues
Reposted by Dr 🫥
A new BMJ analysis examined the body of Tylenol-autism research—40 studies total. Most didn't properly account for genetics, family environment, or why mom needed pain relief in the first place.
But the studies that DID—by comparing siblings—found NO LINK.
But the studies that DID—by comparing siblings—found NO LINK.
November 11, 2025 at 12:58 PM
A new BMJ analysis examined the body of Tylenol-autism research—40 studies total. Most didn't properly account for genetics, family environment, or why mom needed pain relief in the first place.
But the studies that DID—by comparing siblings—found NO LINK.
But the studies that DID—by comparing siblings—found NO LINK.
Reposted by Dr 🫥
#OperationAutism is a web-based resource by the Organization for Autism Research, funded by the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, to support #military #families with #children with #autism.
Learn more: operationautism.org
#VeteransDay
Learn more: operationautism.org
#VeteransDay
Operation Autism | A Resource Guide for Military Families
Operation Autism directly supports U.S. military families touched by autism and autism spectrum disorders. It serves as an introduction to autism, a guide for the life journey with autism, and a ready reference for available resources, services, and
operationautism.org
November 11, 2025 at 4:34 PM
#OperationAutism is a web-based resource by the Organization for Autism Research, funded by the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, to support #military #families with #children with #autism.
Learn more: operationautism.org
#VeteransDay
Learn more: operationautism.org
#VeteransDay
Reposted by Dr 🫥
TY @autisticadvocacy.org for opposing "the petition to add a warning re: acetaminophen-containing drug products that would state that the use of said products has potential risks on fetal neurodevelopment—including an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder."
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/asan...
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/asan...
ASAN comment on FDA petition to add autism warning to Tylenol
ASAN is writing to oppose the petition to add a warning regarding acetaminophen-containing drug products that would state that the use of said products has potential risks on fetal neurodevelopment, i...
autisticadvocacy.org
November 4, 2025 at 5:07 AM
TY @autisticadvocacy.org for opposing "the petition to add a warning re: acetaminophen-containing drug products that would state that the use of said products has potential risks on fetal neurodevelopment—including an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder."
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/asan...
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/asan...
Reposted by Dr 🫥
On autism and loneliness: "Many autistic people want to build connections with people, but this can so easily become overstimulating and exhausting. This creates a vicious cycle. Autistic processing may intensify this cycle." From @craeioe.bsky.social:
crae.ioe.ac.uk/trapped-in-a... #neurodiversity
crae.ioe.ac.uk/trapped-in-a... #neurodiversity
“Trapped in a no-win situation”
Loneliness is a common emotion experienced by many, but previous research indicates higher rates of loneliness within the autistic adult community. Led by Kana Grace, an autistic researcher, this s…
crae.ioe.ac.uk
November 4, 2025 at 5:15 AM
On autism and loneliness: "Many autistic people want to build connections with people, but this can so easily become overstimulating and exhausting. This creates a vicious cycle. Autistic processing may intensify this cycle." From @craeioe.bsky.social:
crae.ioe.ac.uk/trapped-in-a... #neurodiversity
crae.ioe.ac.uk/trapped-in-a... #neurodiversity
Reposted by Dr 🫥
"As we remember the history of autism research, it is essential to highlight the contributions of women scientists like Grunya Sukhareva, who’s pioneering work reshaped the understanding of neurodiversity."
✏️ @garazialvarez.bsky.social
t.co/jJ5CfpWmRX #Autism #Asperger #News
✏️ @garazialvarez.bsky.social
t.co/jJ5CfpWmRX #Autism #Asperger #News
October 28, 2025 at 7:33 PM
"As we remember the history of autism research, it is essential to highlight the contributions of women scientists like Grunya Sukhareva, who’s pioneering work reshaped the understanding of neurodiversity."
✏️ @garazialvarez.bsky.social
t.co/jJ5CfpWmRX #Autism #Asperger #News
✏️ @garazialvarez.bsky.social
t.co/jJ5CfpWmRX #Autism #Asperger #News
Reposted by Dr 🫥
#AutRes "Autistic parents [placed] great importance on treating their children as autonomous human beings with a right to their own opinions and decisions.
Many participants spoke about the importance of open and honest communication, mutual respect & making collaborative decisions as a family." 🫶🏻
Many participants spoke about the importance of open and honest communication, mutual respect & making collaborative decisions as a family." 🫶🏻
Challenges, Strengths, and Joys of Autistic Parents: An Abductive Qualitative Content Analysis of Parent Interviews | Autism in Adulthood
Background: Research into the experiences of autistic parents is limited, with the majority of existing studies focusing on pregnancy, childbirth, and raising infants. We sought to capture the experie...
www.liebertpub.com
October 25, 2025 at 2:09 PM
#AutRes "Autistic parents [placed] great importance on treating their children as autonomous human beings with a right to their own opinions and decisions.
Many participants spoke about the importance of open and honest communication, mutual respect & making collaborative decisions as a family." 🫶🏻
Many participants spoke about the importance of open and honest communication, mutual respect & making collaborative decisions as a family." 🫶🏻
Reposted by Dr 🫥
Some believe autism is fashionable because autistic people get “special” treatment
Yep, lots of “specials”
Special unemployment.
Special discussions with the reaper.
Special social exclusion.
Special discrimination.
Special no reasonable adjustments
Yep, lots of “specials”
Special unemployment.
Special discussions with the reaper.
Special social exclusion.
Special discrimination.
Special no reasonable adjustments
March 14, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Some believe autism is fashionable because autistic people get “special” treatment
Yep, lots of “specials”
Special unemployment.
Special discussions with the reaper.
Special social exclusion.
Special discrimination.
Special no reasonable adjustments
Yep, lots of “specials”
Special unemployment.
Special discussions with the reaper.
Special social exclusion.
Special discrimination.
Special no reasonable adjustments
Reposted by Dr 🫥
My loved one is extraordinary.
My loved one is autistic.
My loved one has a disability.
My loved one is still extraordinary.
My loved one is autistic.
My loved one has a disability.
My loved one is still extraordinary.
March 13, 2025 at 7:34 AM
My loved one is extraordinary.
My loved one is autistic.
My loved one has a disability.
My loved one is still extraordinary.
My loved one is autistic.
My loved one has a disability.
My loved one is still extraordinary.