Karen Melvin
@kitmelvin.bsky.social
Speech and Language Therapist, North West of Ireland. Trainer and Registered Intermediary (Criminal Justice). Passionate about Justice, Human rights, Autism and Intellectual Disabilities. Neuroaffirmative and always curious. She/her
Reposted by Karen Melvin
I'm looking to create an advisory group for a project on Monotropism, an attention-based theory of autism and potentially ADHD. If you or anybody you know is interested, please fill out the form below. Thank you!
forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
Microsoft Forms
forms.office.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I'm looking to create an advisory group for a project on Monotropism, an attention-based theory of autism and potentially ADHD. If you or anybody you know is interested, please fill out the form below. Thank you!
forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
I will be sad to see Michael D go. He has been instrumental in setting the tone of discourse in this country. I'm hopeful Catherine Connolly will do the same continuing the legacy of thoughtful presidents who above all value human beings and our shared connection and experience #Spéirgorm #Áras25
October 26, 2025 at 7:29 PM
I will be sad to see Michael D go. He has been instrumental in setting the tone of discourse in this country. I'm hopeful Catherine Connolly will do the same continuing the legacy of thoughtful presidents who above all value human beings and our shared connection and experience #Spéirgorm #Áras25
Reposted by Karen Melvin
All the biggest autism charities in England and Wales use forms of ABA e.g. PBS on autistic people in their care.
Their income is more than £325 million a year between them, nearly all of it from Government sources.
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti... & background research by me on the others.
Their income is more than £325 million a year between them, nearly all of it from Government sources.
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti... & background research by me on the others.
Expert organisations with “challenging” and “complex” service users: Representation in English and Welsh autism charity reports and accounts
The language and imagery used in Autism charities’ communications influences societal understanding of, and attitudes towards, Autistic people. This, in turn, shapes perceptions of whether and how the...
journals.plos.org
October 26, 2025 at 10:40 AM
All the biggest autism charities in England and Wales use forms of ABA e.g. PBS on autistic people in their care.
Their income is more than £325 million a year between them, nearly all of it from Government sources.
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti... & background research by me on the others.
Their income is more than £325 million a year between them, nearly all of it from Government sources.
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti... & background research by me on the others.
Reposted by Karen Melvin
follow @grrand-team.bsky.social for amazing research, training and a community full of heart!
October 21, 2025 at 10:47 PM
follow @grrand-team.bsky.social for amazing research, training and a community full of heart!
Reposted by Karen Melvin
#Autistic Burnout #speirgorm
Autistic Burnout - Supporting Young People At Home & School. Neuroaffirming ways to spot the signs, reduce demands & offer support.
Read more:
autisticrealms.com/autistic-bur...
Read more:
autisticrealms.com/autistic-bur...
October 18, 2025 at 12:53 PM
#Autistic Burnout #speirgorm
Caught the superb #LeeMillar exhibition at #TateBritain #artsky last week. Startling images from her war correspondent years have stayed with me. In a world, currently overwhelmed with disinformation journalism has a duty to bear witness to what is actually happening so it cannot ever be denied.
October 13, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Caught the superb #LeeMillar exhibition at #TateBritain #artsky last week. Startling images from her war correspondent years have stayed with me. In a world, currently overwhelmed with disinformation journalism has a duty to bear witness to what is actually happening so it cannot ever be denied.
Brilliant news Georgia 👏👏👏
I am the newly appointed Chair of this #NHS commissioned programme, run by #AnnaFreud. Working with hundreds of peers to coproduce and codeliver trully neurodiversity informed, evidence based and psychologically informed education and peer support. #autism
October 12, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Brilliant news Georgia 👏👏👏
Brilliant day at the @at-autism.bsky.social conference #AutismArtofThePossible in London yesterday. Catching up with friends and meeting new ones. Outstanding speakers and discussions. Travelling home today with fire in the belly and ideas swirling. #Autism
October 9, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Brilliant day at the @at-autism.bsky.social conference #AutismArtofThePossible in London yesterday. Catching up with friends and meeting new ones. Outstanding speakers and discussions. Travelling home today with fire in the belly and ideas swirling. #Autism
Reposted by Karen Melvin
Coming up in a week's time - free to attend!
What would you like to know about unmasking safely?
neurokindred.com/the-complexi...
What would you like to know about unmasking safely?
neurokindred.com/the-complexi...
September 28, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Coming up in a week's time - free to attend!
What would you like to know about unmasking safely?
neurokindred.com/the-complexi...
What would you like to know about unmasking safely?
neurokindred.com/the-complexi...
Reposted by Karen Melvin
bsky.app/profile/nest...
Can everyone PLEASE give our new support group for parents a share and a follow, even if this is not close to you someone who follows you could need to see us and need help or support. This is in NI.
#bettertogether
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Can everyone PLEASE give our new support group for parents a share and a follow, even if this is not close to you someone who follows you could need to see us and need help or support. This is in NI.
#bettertogether
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
bsky.app
September 20, 2025 at 10:13 AM
bsky.app/profile/nest...
Can everyone PLEASE give our new support group for parents a share and a follow, even if this is not close to you someone who follows you could need to see us and need help or support. This is in NI.
#bettertogether
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Can everyone PLEASE give our new support group for parents a share and a follow, even if this is not close to you someone who follows you could need to see us and need help or support. This is in NI.
#bettertogether
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Reposted by Karen Melvin
You are invited to our
Discovery Celebration: Autistic Community Shaping Neuro-Affirmative Support
FREE ONLINE TICKETS
18th September
7–8:45pm Irish/UK time
Discovery Programme report launch
Premiere 2 animation films about Autistic experiences
Community space
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/discovery-...
Discovery Celebration: Autistic Community Shaping Neuro-Affirmative Support
FREE ONLINE TICKETS
18th September
7–8:45pm Irish/UK time
Discovery Programme report launch
Premiere 2 animation films about Autistic experiences
Community space
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/discovery-...
September 7, 2025 at 7:22 AM
You are invited to our
Discovery Celebration: Autistic Community Shaping Neuro-Affirmative Support
FREE ONLINE TICKETS
18th September
7–8:45pm Irish/UK time
Discovery Programme report launch
Premiere 2 animation films about Autistic experiences
Community space
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/discovery-...
Discovery Celebration: Autistic Community Shaping Neuro-Affirmative Support
FREE ONLINE TICKETS
18th September
7–8:45pm Irish/UK time
Discovery Programme report launch
Premiere 2 animation films about Autistic experiences
Community space
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/discovery-...
Reposted by Karen Melvin
“We all need to do more when it comes to getting kids in and behaving. This includes mums, dads and carers, too,” Ms Phillipson said. Let the parent blaming begin.
The DfE has appointed @tombennett71.bsky.social and Jayne Lowe as its new behaviour and attendance ambassadors
Behaviour and attendance ambassadors appointed
Tom Bennett and Jayne Lowe have been announced as the government’s national attendance and behaviour ambassadors
www.tes.com
August 31, 2025 at 10:06 AM
“We all need to do more when it comes to getting kids in and behaving. This includes mums, dads and carers, too,” Ms Phillipson said. Let the parent blaming begin.
Reposted by Karen Melvin
We are now accepting expressions of interest for our September 2025 - March 2026 Discovery Programme cohorts!
Join our supportive 6-week online programme with other newly identified Autistic adults (self ID welcome!).
Find out more:
www.thrivingautistic.org/discovery-pr...
Join our supportive 6-week online programme with other newly identified Autistic adults (self ID welcome!).
Find out more:
www.thrivingautistic.org/discovery-pr...
Discovery Programme: Welcome to Your Autistic Self
Have you recently discovered that you’re Autistic? Would you like to learn more about your neurotype and discuss what it means for you in a supportive group with other newly identified Autistic adults...
www.thrivingautistic.org
August 27, 2025 at 12:43 PM
We are now accepting expressions of interest for our September 2025 - March 2026 Discovery Programme cohorts!
Join our supportive 6-week online programme with other newly identified Autistic adults (self ID welcome!).
Find out more:
www.thrivingautistic.org/discovery-pr...
Join our supportive 6-week online programme with other newly identified Autistic adults (self ID welcome!).
Find out more:
www.thrivingautistic.org/discovery-pr...
Constant reflection and learning 💚
"..in many ways it reflects what Neurodiversity competency looks like in practice: being able to listen, to change and to keep Autistic needs and safety at the centre of everything".
"..in many ways it reflects what Neurodiversity competency looks like in practice: being able to listen, to change and to keep Autistic needs and safety at the centre of everything".
Explore 10 key ideas for neuro-affirming practice.
Building neurodivergent competency means creating safety & belonging.
Inspired by @emergentdivergence.com and @tanyaadkin.bsky.social
autisticrealms.com/creating-aut...
Building neurodivergent competency means creating safety & belonging.
Inspired by @emergentdivergence.com and @tanyaadkin.bsky.social
autisticrealms.com/creating-aut...
Creating Autistic Safety and Belonging: 10 Ideas for Neurodivergent Competency | Autistic Realms
10 Principles of Neuro-Affirming Practice: Building Neurodivergent Competency Together
autisticrealms.com
August 24, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Constant reflection and learning 💚
"..in many ways it reflects what Neurodiversity competency looks like in practice: being able to listen, to change and to keep Autistic needs and safety at the centre of everything".
"..in many ways it reflects what Neurodiversity competency looks like in practice: being able to listen, to change and to keep Autistic needs and safety at the centre of everything".
Nature's gift to us night owls is in full flow tonight. Donegal graced with clear skies to watch the magnificent perseids 💚
August 13, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Nature's gift to us night owls is in full flow tonight. Donegal graced with clear skies to watch the magnificent perseids 💚
Reposted by Karen Melvin
When school sucks for autistic and ADHD students, the emotional impact hits them twice as hard. Unsurprisingly, this can lead to increased anxiety and depression. New research backing up autistic common knowledge:
www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/ju... #neurodiversity #autism #ADHD
www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/ju... #neurodiversity #autism #ADHD
Neurodivergent adolescents experience twice the emotional burden at school
Negative school experiences generate twice the emotional burden in autistic and ADHD adolescents compared to their neurotypical classmates, and this is significantly correlated with depression and anx...
www.ucl.ac.uk
August 7, 2025 at 3:22 PM
When school sucks for autistic and ADHD students, the emotional impact hits them twice as hard. Unsurprisingly, this can lead to increased anxiety and depression. New research backing up autistic common knowledge:
www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/ju... #neurodiversity #autism #ADHD
www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/ju... #neurodiversity #autism #ADHD
This is so valuable 💚 thank you for creating this @autisticrealms.bsky.social
NEW:
Neuro-Affirming Neurodivergent & Disabled Wheel of Life: Reclaiming Flow on Our Own Terms
FREE Wheel of Life.
Accompanying PDF Journal on my website.
Feedback welcome, hope it is valuable! I have enjoyed creating this.
autisticrealms.com/neuro-affirm...
Neuro-Affirming Neurodivergent & Disabled Wheel of Life: Reclaiming Flow on Our Own Terms
FREE Wheel of Life.
Accompanying PDF Journal on my website.
Feedback welcome, hope it is valuable! I have enjoyed creating this.
autisticrealms.com/neuro-affirm...
Neuro-Affirming Neurodivergent & Disabled Wheel of Life: Reclaiming Flow on Our Own Terms | Autistic Realms
What does flow and balance mean when your energy is unpredictable, your needs are sensory and relational, and your life doesn’t fit the standard neurotypica ...
autisticrealms.com
August 2, 2025 at 10:35 AM
This is so valuable 💚 thank you for creating this @autisticrealms.bsky.social
Love this! Beautiful portraits 💚
These fab portraits of people with learning disabilities look great on the pages of @communitylivingmagazine.com but maybe look even better online. Taken by Katie Seymour (a Changing Lives associate) you can see the photos here communitylivingmagazine.com/made-visible...
Made visible through portraits
People with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) are rarely represented in the media and the arts, and their personalities and individuality are not often highlighted. A photography proj...
communitylivingmagazine.com
July 28, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Love this! Beautiful portraits 💚
Reposted by Karen Melvin
180y ago, the Great Hunger killed over a million people in Ireland as the Great Powers stood by & ignored the horrific suffering of children.
Famine stalks Gaza, babies are arriving at the makeshift triage & dying. The death toll from genocide will grow as famine & disease murder more. Donate:
Famine stalks Gaza, babies are arriving at the makeshift triage & dying. The death toll from genocide will grow as famine & disease murder more. Donate:
Gaza Crisis Appeal
Families in Gaza are attempting to rebuild their lives. With your donations, Concern, through its trusted partner, can provide vital emergency supplies.
www.concern.net
July 27, 2025 at 1:56 PM
180y ago, the Great Hunger killed over a million people in Ireland as the Great Powers stood by & ignored the horrific suffering of children.
Famine stalks Gaza, babies are arriving at the makeshift triage & dying. The death toll from genocide will grow as famine & disease murder more. Donate:
Famine stalks Gaza, babies are arriving at the makeshift triage & dying. The death toll from genocide will grow as famine & disease murder more. Donate:
Reposted by Karen Melvin
Ireland aiming to lure those wanting to escape the academic hellscapes of US / UK / Aus academia … We have currently a ‘Global Talent’ initiative for both mid career and senior academics. Informal expressions of interest to UCC (a.forde@ucc.ie) by end of July. www.researchireland.ie/funding/glob...
Global Talent Ireland - Research Ireland
Global Talent Ireland aims to attract exceptional mid-career and established researchers from across the globe to Ireland. Researchers funded through this programme are required to transfer their rese...
www.researchireland.ie
July 25, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Ireland aiming to lure those wanting to escape the academic hellscapes of US / UK / Aus academia … We have currently a ‘Global Talent’ initiative for both mid career and senior academics. Informal expressions of interest to UCC (a.forde@ucc.ie) by end of July. www.researchireland.ie/funding/glob...
Reposted by Karen Melvin
This is going to be excellent.
PUBLIC LECTURE:
My end of @leverhulme.ac.uk fellowship lecture is on the 24th of September! It will be in person at @durhampsych.bsky.social and also streamed online. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/centre-for...
My end of @leverhulme.ac.uk fellowship lecture is on the 24th of September! It will be in person at @durhampsych.bsky.social and also streamed online. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/centre-for...
Centre for Neurodiversity and Development Public Lecture
Why autism isn't what you think it is (and why that matters) - end of fellowship Public Lecture by Dr Monique Botha
www.eventbrite.co.uk
July 18, 2025 at 6:18 AM
This is going to be excellent.
Reposted by Karen Melvin
More than three months in prison in harsh conditions.
Why would anyone travel to the US?
Why would anyone travel to the US?
Irish tourist jailed by Ice for months after overstaying US visit by three days: ‘Nobody is safe’
Exclusive: For roughly 100 days, Thomas says he faced harsh detention conditions, despite agreeing to deportation
www.theguardian.com
July 15, 2025 at 11:12 AM
More than three months in prison in harsh conditions.
Why would anyone travel to the US?
Why would anyone travel to the US?
Where is the Leder report?? asks @georgejulian.bsky.social
"I don't think a clearer message could be sent to learning disabled & autistic people that their health, life's & death dont matter"
#Learning Disability #Autism
"I don't think a clearer message could be sent to learning disabled & autistic people that their health, life's & death dont matter"
#Learning Disability #Autism
georgejulian.co.uk » Disappeared in plain sight: the lives and deaths of learning disabled and autistic people
Does anyone actually care? Is anyone out there? Is anyone reading? Almost two months ago on 12 May I wrote Disappearing in plain sight – the lives and deaths of learning disabled and autistic people about the missing LEDER report. On the 18 June Still disappearing in plain sight – the lives and deaths of […]
www.georgejulian.co.uk
July 10, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Where is the Leder report?? asks @georgejulian.bsky.social
"I don't think a clearer message could be sent to learning disabled & autistic people that their health, life's & death dont matter"
#Learning Disability #Autism
"I don't think a clearer message could be sent to learning disabled & autistic people that their health, life's & death dont matter"
#Learning Disability #Autism
Reposted by Karen Melvin
"The idea of independence is a myth that serves to uphold ableism & other oppressions. The reality […] is that every person is interdependent. We are all part of a human ecosystem, a vast network of give and take, and need and support" @endeverstar.bsky.social:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Speech is exhausting
This paper focuses on my meaningful participation in society as a semispeaking AAC user, the importance of self-determination and interdependence, and the critical role of participatory research. H...
www.tandfonline.com
July 5, 2025 at 7:52 PM
"The idea of independence is a myth that serves to uphold ableism & other oppressions. The reality […] is that every person is interdependent. We are all part of a human ecosystem, a vast network of give and take, and need and support" @endeverstar.bsky.social:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Karen Melvin
Disabled people receiving care were ‘ignored by design’ during the pandemic, #Covid inquiry hears
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/disabled-peo...
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/disabled-peo...
Disabled people receiving care were ‘ignored by design’ during the pandemic, Covid inquiry hears
Four national disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) have told the Covid inquiry that people who receive care and support were “ignored by design” during the pandemic. The inquiry heard on Monday t…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
July 3, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Disabled people receiving care were ‘ignored by design’ during the pandemic, #Covid inquiry hears
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/disabled-peo...
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/disabled-peo...