Dr Aimee Fletcher (@aimee_speaks)
@aimeespeaks.bsky.social
Autistic autism researcher, passionate about making museums (and all of society) accessible. Lover of photography, stained glass window making, and music.
Participation Coordinator at Scottish Autism. Working to ensure all autistic people are listened to.
Participation Coordinator at Scottish Autism. Working to ensure all autistic people are listened to.
Today's Monday Joys ✨️
- Celebrating my partner's birthday
- Going to good comedy nights, supporting my partner and friends
- Finally getting the glass all cut for my current glass piece
- Rewatching highlights from Autism Europe
- First academic journal article I'm a co-author on was accepted! 🥳
- Celebrating my partner's birthday
- Going to good comedy nights, supporting my partner and friends
- Finally getting the glass all cut for my current glass piece
- Rewatching highlights from Autism Europe
- First academic journal article I'm a co-author on was accepted! 🥳
November 10, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Today's Monday Joys ✨️
- Celebrating my partner's birthday
- Going to good comedy nights, supporting my partner and friends
- Finally getting the glass all cut for my current glass piece
- Rewatching highlights from Autism Europe
- First academic journal article I'm a co-author on was accepted! 🥳
- Celebrating my partner's birthday
- Going to good comedy nights, supporting my partner and friends
- Finally getting the glass all cut for my current glass piece
- Rewatching highlights from Autism Europe
- First academic journal article I'm a co-author on was accepted! 🥳
Today's Monday Joys ✨️
- Positive feedback from presenting at an important meeting
- Making progress on a tricky stained glass piece
- Spending time with friends and exploring familiar places together
- Embracing autumn time
- Making research progress on a project started last year
- Pacing myself.
- Positive feedback from presenting at an important meeting
- Making progress on a tricky stained glass piece
- Spending time with friends and exploring familiar places together
- Embracing autumn time
- Making research progress on a project started last year
- Pacing myself.
November 3, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Today's Monday Joys ✨️
- Positive feedback from presenting at an important meeting
- Making progress on a tricky stained glass piece
- Spending time with friends and exploring familiar places together
- Embracing autumn time
- Making research progress on a project started last year
- Pacing myself.
- Positive feedback from presenting at an important meeting
- Making progress on a tricky stained glass piece
- Spending time with friends and exploring familiar places together
- Embracing autumn time
- Making research progress on a project started last year
- Pacing myself.
That feeling when you can *finally* spend time doing data work & analysis on a research project you started a year ago.
To say a weight has been lifted (as I've wanted to do it, I just haven't had the capacity to do it justice while so busy) and I'm excited to keep working on the next steps of it!
To say a weight has been lifted (as I've wanted to do it, I just haven't had the capacity to do it justice while so busy) and I'm excited to keep working on the next steps of it!
October 26, 2025 at 3:03 PM
That feeling when you can *finally* spend time doing data work & analysis on a research project you started a year ago.
To say a weight has been lifted (as I've wanted to do it, I just haven't had the capacity to do it justice while so busy) and I'm excited to keep working on the next steps of it!
To say a weight has been lifted (as I've wanted to do it, I just haven't had the capacity to do it justice while so busy) and I'm excited to keep working on the next steps of it!
Reposted by Dr Aimee Fletcher (@aimee_speaks)
Two of our founders worked on a pair of affirming animations for @thrivingautistic.bsky.social, introducing key ideas.
The first is Discovering You're Autistic, basically giving people the messages we most needed to hear when we were first realising we're Autistic...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eDv...
The first is Discovering You're Autistic, basically giving people the messages we most needed to hear when we were first realising we're Autistic...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eDv...
Discovering You're Autistic
YouTube video by Thriving Autistic
www.youtube.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Two of our founders worked on a pair of affirming animations for @thrivingautistic.bsky.social, introducing key ideas.
The first is Discovering You're Autistic, basically giving people the messages we most needed to hear when we were first realising we're Autistic...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eDv...
The first is Discovering You're Autistic, basically giving people the messages we most needed to hear when we were first realising we're Autistic...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eDv...
Today's Monday Joy's ✨️
- Catching up with friends in a different city
- Enjoying the autumnal weather on a walk with a friend
- Sharing my PhD research findings with a really nice group
- Hearing that a journal article I've co-authored has been accepted
- Spending time in a new-to-me museum
- Catching up with friends in a different city
- Enjoying the autumnal weather on a walk with a friend
- Sharing my PhD research findings with a really nice group
- Hearing that a journal article I've co-authored has been accepted
- Spending time in a new-to-me museum
October 20, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Today's Monday Joy's ✨️
- Catching up with friends in a different city
- Enjoying the autumnal weather on a walk with a friend
- Sharing my PhD research findings with a really nice group
- Hearing that a journal article I've co-authored has been accepted
- Spending time in a new-to-me museum
- Catching up with friends in a different city
- Enjoying the autumnal weather on a walk with a friend
- Sharing my PhD research findings with a really nice group
- Hearing that a journal article I've co-authored has been accepted
- Spending time in a new-to-me museum
Today's Monday Joy's ✨️
- Speaking on a panel at a Fringe event at the SNP conference & being listened to by a full room of engaged politicians
- Receiving really positive feedback about my speech
- Positive meeting with a new colleague
- Catching up with family & friend while visiting the city 😁
- Speaking on a panel at a Fringe event at the SNP conference & being listened to by a full room of engaged politicians
- Receiving really positive feedback about my speech
- Positive meeting with a new colleague
- Catching up with family & friend while visiting the city 😁
October 13, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Today's Monday Joy's ✨️
- Speaking on a panel at a Fringe event at the SNP conference & being listened to by a full room of engaged politicians
- Receiving really positive feedback about my speech
- Positive meeting with a new colleague
- Catching up with family & friend while visiting the city 😁
- Speaking on a panel at a Fringe event at the SNP conference & being listened to by a full room of engaged politicians
- Receiving really positive feedback about my speech
- Positive meeting with a new colleague
- Catching up with family & friend while visiting the city 😁
I am excited to share that I will be speaking at the SNP conference as part of their Fringe event on the LDAN Bill & the growing accountability gap.
I will be there representing Scottish Autism professionally & the ND community personally. My talk speaks of system failures & the need for action now
I will be there representing Scottish Autism professionally & the ND community personally. My talk speaks of system failures & the need for action now
October 11, 2025 at 9:01 AM
I am excited to share that I will be speaking at the SNP conference as part of their Fringe event on the LDAN Bill & the growing accountability gap.
I will be there representing Scottish Autism professionally & the ND community personally. My talk speaks of system failures & the need for action now
I will be there representing Scottish Autism professionally & the ND community personally. My talk speaks of system failures & the need for action now
Nearly 9 months into my role, and now (somehow) a full year since I submitted my thesis, I felt I should update that I'm at a stage of feeling settled in my role.
Adjusting to a different way of working, not being in academia & full-time in a role that involves quite a bit of travel, took time.
Adjusting to a different way of working, not being in academia & full-time in a role that involves quite a bit of travel, took time.
October 10, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Nearly 9 months into my role, and now (somehow) a full year since I submitted my thesis, I felt I should update that I'm at a stage of feeling settled in my role.
Adjusting to a different way of working, not being in academia & full-time in a role that involves quite a bit of travel, took time.
Adjusting to a different way of working, not being in academia & full-time in a role that involves quite a bit of travel, took time.
Today's Monday Joys ✨️
- Meeting and sharing ideas with others that has inspired new ideas
- Cheering for two friends as they completed a half marathon (then celebrating together)
- Making progress in a project I have been working on
- Hearing good news about an article
- Spending time with family
- Meeting and sharing ideas with others that has inspired new ideas
- Cheering for two friends as they completed a half marathon (then celebrating together)
- Making progress in a project I have been working on
- Hearing good news about an article
- Spending time with family
October 6, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Today's Monday Joys ✨️
- Meeting and sharing ideas with others that has inspired new ideas
- Cheering for two friends as they completed a half marathon (then celebrating together)
- Making progress in a project I have been working on
- Hearing good news about an article
- Spending time with family
- Meeting and sharing ideas with others that has inspired new ideas
- Cheering for two friends as they completed a half marathon (then celebrating together)
- Making progress in a project I have been working on
- Hearing good news about an article
- Spending time with family
Today's Monday Joys: Birthday edition! ✨️
- Having most of the last 2 weeks off to spend time with a friend visiting from the US
- Celebrating a milestone birthday with a trip & afternoon tea with important people in my life
- Smiling and creating new special memories
- Feeling appreciated and loved
- Having most of the last 2 weeks off to spend time with a friend visiting from the US
- Celebrating a milestone birthday with a trip & afternoon tea with important people in my life
- Smiling and creating new special memories
- Feeling appreciated and loved
September 29, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Today's Monday Joys: Birthday edition! ✨️
- Having most of the last 2 weeks off to spend time with a friend visiting from the US
- Celebrating a milestone birthday with a trip & afternoon tea with important people in my life
- Smiling and creating new special memories
- Feeling appreciated and loved
- Having most of the last 2 weeks off to spend time with a friend visiting from the US
- Celebrating a milestone birthday with a trip & afternoon tea with important people in my life
- Smiling and creating new special memories
- Feeling appreciated and loved
There were no Monday Joys yesterday, not because there weren't any - but because there were so many over #AECONGRESS2025 that I'm still resting up.
Oh, and my wonderful friend from my masters has also arrived for a visit so we spent time having afternoon tea.
I'm filled with a lot of joy currently
Oh, and my wonderful friend from my masters has also arrived for a visit so we spent time having afternoon tea.
I'm filled with a lot of joy currently
September 16, 2025 at 7:47 AM
There were no Monday Joys yesterday, not because there weren't any - but because there were so many over #AECONGRESS2025 that I'm still resting up.
Oh, and my wonderful friend from my masters has also arrived for a visit so we spent time having afternoon tea.
I'm filled with a lot of joy currently
Oh, and my wonderful friend from my masters has also arrived for a visit so we spent time having afternoon tea.
I'm filled with a lot of joy currently
About to check out from my hotel for #AECONGRESS2025.
Every morning the same Irish lady who has worked there for over 40 years has run the breakfast.
Today was the first time I was the only one there. She came back out the kitchen to say "are you Irish?"
I'm not, but she said she's been convinced
Every morning the same Irish lady who has worked there for over 40 years has run the breakfast.
Today was the first time I was the only one there. She came back out the kitchen to say "are you Irish?"
I'm not, but she said she's been convinced
September 14, 2025 at 7:50 AM
About to check out from my hotel for #AECONGRESS2025.
Every morning the same Irish lady who has worked there for over 40 years has run the breakfast.
Today was the first time I was the only one there. She came back out the kitchen to say "are you Irish?"
I'm not, but she said she's been convinced
Every morning the same Irish lady who has worked there for over 40 years has run the breakfast.
Today was the first time I was the only one there. She came back out the kitchen to say "are you Irish?"
I'm not, but she said she's been convinced
First invited speakers today are the incredible Wenn Lawson and Peter Vermeulen.
Their talk is on compassion and self-compassion. It looks at autistic and non-autistic self-compassion.
#AECONGRESS2025
Their talk is on compassion and self-compassion. It looks at autistic and non-autistic self-compassion.
#AECONGRESS2025
September 13, 2025 at 8:07 AM
First invited speakers today are the incredible Wenn Lawson and Peter Vermeulen.
Their talk is on compassion and self-compassion. It looks at autistic and non-autistic self-compassion.
#AECONGRESS2025
Their talk is on compassion and self-compassion. It looks at autistic and non-autistic self-compassion.
#AECONGRESS2025
Reposted by Dr Aimee Fletcher (@aimee_speaks)
#AECongress25 attendees: here's some Autism Research Starter Packs, where I've tried to collate BlueSky accounts from those who do/support/facilitate autism research. Let me know if I've missed anyone!
1. go.bsky.app/B9XV8UA
2. go.bsky.app/Pfbbvot
3. go.bsky.app/DWvXhk6
1. go.bsky.app/B9XV8UA
2. go.bsky.app/Pfbbvot
3. go.bsky.app/DWvXhk6
September 13, 2025 at 7:07 AM
#AECongress25 attendees: here's some Autism Research Starter Packs, where I've tried to collate BlueSky accounts from those who do/support/facilitate autism research. Let me know if I've missed anyone!
1. go.bsky.app/B9XV8UA
2. go.bsky.app/Pfbbvot
3. go.bsky.app/DWvXhk6
1. go.bsky.app/B9XV8UA
2. go.bsky.app/Pfbbvot
3. go.bsky.app/DWvXhk6
Final morning of #AECONGRESS2025!
Apologies for not keeping up with posting yesterday, after my own talk it took quite a bit of time to regain energy.
I went to a few presentations, but equally I had a wonderful time of running into & catching up with people I've missed & meeting new friends.
Apologies for not keeping up with posting yesterday, after my own talk it took quite a bit of time to regain energy.
I went to a few presentations, but equally I had a wonderful time of running into & catching up with people I've missed & meeting new friends.
September 13, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Final morning of #AECONGRESS2025!
Apologies for not keeping up with posting yesterday, after my own talk it took quite a bit of time to regain energy.
I went to a few presentations, but equally I had a wonderful time of running into & catching up with people I've missed & meeting new friends.
Apologies for not keeping up with posting yesterday, after my own talk it took quite a bit of time to regain energy.
I went to a few presentations, but equally I had a wonderful time of running into & catching up with people I've missed & meeting new friends.
Now listening to Wenn Lawson speaking on Special Interests.
Wenn is currently sharing about Monotropism - sharing the website www.monotropism.org and the Monotropism Questionnaire.
Lawson shares about autistic experiences of finding connection in different ways.
#AECONGRESS2025
Wenn is currently sharing about Monotropism - sharing the website www.monotropism.org and the Monotropism Questionnaire.
Lawson shares about autistic experiences of finding connection in different ways.
#AECONGRESS2025
Monotropism
the mind as an interest system
www.monotropism.org
September 12, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Now listening to Wenn Lawson speaking on Special Interests.
Wenn is currently sharing about Monotropism - sharing the website www.monotropism.org and the Monotropism Questionnaire.
Lawson shares about autistic experiences of finding connection in different ways.
#AECONGRESS2025
Wenn is currently sharing about Monotropism - sharing the website www.monotropism.org and the Monotropism Questionnaire.
Lawson shares about autistic experiences of finding connection in different ways.
#AECONGRESS2025
The talk went well! Massive thanks to everyone for coming along (super full room!)
Massive thanks to everyone who asked questions & came up to speak to me afterwards - 30 mins of wonderful questions, observations and tips.
I know it clashed with other fab talks - so do reach out!
#AECONGRESS2025
Massive thanks to everyone who asked questions & came up to speak to me afterwards - 30 mins of wonderful questions, observations and tips.
I know it clashed with other fab talks - so do reach out!
#AECONGRESS2025
September 12, 2025 at 11:42 AM
The talk went well! Massive thanks to everyone for coming along (super full room!)
Massive thanks to everyone who asked questions & came up to speak to me afterwards - 30 mins of wonderful questions, observations and tips.
I know it clashed with other fab talks - so do reach out!
#AECONGRESS2025
Massive thanks to everyone who asked questions & came up to speak to me afterwards - 30 mins of wonderful questions, observations and tips.
I know it clashed with other fab talks - so do reach out!
#AECONGRESS2025
Good morning #AECONGRESS2025!
I won't be live posting this morning as I prepare for my own oral presentation as part of the Creating Safe and Autism Friendly Environments 1 panel between 10-11am. My talk is at 10:45, & it is on my PhD research.
I am wearing my teal suit (pictured, no tie). Say hi!
I won't be live posting this morning as I prepare for my own oral presentation as part of the Creating Safe and Autism Friendly Environments 1 panel between 10-11am. My talk is at 10:45, & it is on my PhD research.
I am wearing my teal suit (pictured, no tie). Say hi!
September 12, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Good morning #AECONGRESS2025!
I won't be live posting this morning as I prepare for my own oral presentation as part of the Creating Safe and Autism Friendly Environments 1 panel between 10-11am. My talk is at 10:45, & it is on my PhD research.
I am wearing my teal suit (pictured, no tie). Say hi!
I won't be live posting this morning as I prepare for my own oral presentation as part of the Creating Safe and Autism Friendly Environments 1 panel between 10-11am. My talk is at 10:45, & it is on my PhD research.
I am wearing my teal suit (pictured, no tie). Say hi!
After a quick break to get my slides to the Speaker Ready area (eek & yay, first time doing this), I'm delighted to attend Kate Cooper and Leon Allain presenting on Autism Transition to Adulthood Groups (ATAG), discussing peer-group to support successful transitions to Adulthood
#AECONGRESS2025
#AECONGRESS2025
September 11, 2025 at 4:17 PM
After a quick break to get my slides to the Speaker Ready area (eek & yay, first time doing this), I'm delighted to attend Kate Cooper and Leon Allain presenting on Autism Transition to Adulthood Groups (ATAG), discussing peer-group to support successful transitions to Adulthood
#AECONGRESS2025
#AECONGRESS2025
Now attending "Advancing Rights: From Advocacy and Activism to Policy Changes 2"
On this panel are Tara O'Donnell-Killen, Chloë Keegan, Laura Crane & Monique Botha.
#AECONGRESS2025
On this panel are Tara O'Donnell-Killen, Chloë Keegan, Laura Crane & Monique Botha.
#AECONGRESS2025
September 11, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Now attending "Advancing Rights: From Advocacy and Activism to Policy Changes 2"
On this panel are Tara O'Donnell-Killen, Chloë Keegan, Laura Crane & Monique Botha.
#AECONGRESS2025
On this panel are Tara O'Donnell-Killen, Chloë Keegan, Laura Crane & Monique Botha.
#AECONGRESS2025
Post lunch, it is time for our invited speaker number 3, @suereviews.bsky.social!
This talk is on neurodiversity, neuro-inclusion and liberation. It includes neurodiversity, collective liberation & power.
Sue opens by saying thank you to the many people who have shaped her work.
#AECONGRESS2025
This talk is on neurodiversity, neuro-inclusion and liberation. It includes neurodiversity, collective liberation & power.
Sue opens by saying thank you to the many people who have shaped her work.
#AECONGRESS2025
September 11, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Post lunch, it is time for our invited speaker number 3, @suereviews.bsky.social!
This talk is on neurodiversity, neuro-inclusion and liberation. It includes neurodiversity, collective liberation & power.
Sue opens by saying thank you to the many people who have shaped her work.
#AECONGRESS2025
This talk is on neurodiversity, neuro-inclusion and liberation. It includes neurodiversity, collective liberation & power.
Sue opens by saying thank you to the many people who have shaped her work.
#AECONGRESS2025
Utterly excited to hear the incredible TC Waisman present:
"Beacons in a volatile world: how research, policy and practice have become beacons."
TC opens by sharing her Fiji roots & leadership.
"The thing about leadership in the village is if you lead you are a leader
#AECONGRESS2025
"Beacons in a volatile world: how research, policy and practice have become beacons."
TC opens by sharing her Fiji roots & leadership.
"The thing about leadership in the village is if you lead you are a leader
#AECONGRESS2025
September 11, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Utterly excited to hear the incredible TC Waisman present:
"Beacons in a volatile world: how research, policy and practice have become beacons."
TC opens by sharing her Fiji roots & leadership.
"The thing about leadership in the village is if you lead you are a leader
#AECONGRESS2025
"Beacons in a volatile world: how research, policy and practice have become beacons."
TC opens by sharing her Fiji roots & leadership.
"The thing about leadership in the village is if you lead you are a leader
#AECONGRESS2025
Reposted by Dr Aimee Fletcher (@aimee_speaks)
This sounds like just the kind of thing we need in Scotland!
I wonder if anyone from the Scottish Government is listening?
@naitscotland.bsky.social are any of you there?
I wonder if anyone from the Scottish Government is listening?
@naitscotland.bsky.social are any of you there?
Naughton explains the "Autism Innovation Strategy", which includes 83 actions developed with autistic people and the people in their lives.
This includes neuro-affirming training, education, employment & access to AAC for anyone who need it. 1 year in & change started.
#AECONGRESS2025
This includes neuro-affirming training, education, employment & access to AAC for anyone who need it. 1 year in & change started.
#AECONGRESS2025
September 11, 2025 at 10:27 AM
This sounds like just the kind of thing we need in Scotland!
I wonder if anyone from the Scottish Government is listening?
@naitscotland.bsky.social are any of you there?
I wonder if anyone from the Scottish Government is listening?
@naitscotland.bsky.social are any of you there?
Reposted by Dr Aimee Fletcher (@aimee_speaks)
How do we raise Autistic peoples QOL
Listen to our narratives
Ask us what we need
Stop oppression
Stop NT privilege of ‘we know best’
Involve not include us
Believe us
Stop traumatising us
Pick us up when we fall
Help us feel we truly belong
so we don’t leave
#AECongress2025 #AsIAm #AutismEurope
Listen to our narratives
Ask us what we need
Stop oppression
Stop NT privilege of ‘we know best’
Involve not include us
Believe us
Stop traumatising us
Pick us up when we fall
Help us feel we truly belong
so we don’t leave
#AECongress2025 #AsIAm #AutismEurope
*Autistic-led organisation.
A fantastic organisation doing incredible work in Ireland to influence change to make Ireland a more accessible society.
Dublin's Mayor concludes the Welcome Address, with a personal thank you to Adam Harris.
#AECONGRESS2025.
A fantastic organisation doing incredible work in Ireland to influence change to make Ireland a more accessible society.
Dublin's Mayor concludes the Welcome Address, with a personal thank you to Adam Harris.
#AECONGRESS2025.
September 11, 2025 at 9:03 AM
How do we raise Autistic peoples QOL
Listen to our narratives
Ask us what we need
Stop oppression
Stop NT privilege of ‘we know best’
Involve not include us
Believe us
Stop traumatising us
Pick us up when we fall
Help us feel we truly belong
so we don’t leave
#AECongress2025 #AsIAm #AutismEurope
Listen to our narratives
Ask us what we need
Stop oppression
Stop NT privilege of ‘we know best’
Involve not include us
Believe us
Stop traumatising us
Pick us up when we fall
Help us feel we truly belong
so we don’t leave
#AECongress2025 #AsIAm #AutismEurope
First invited speaker of Autism Europe is Maja Toudal speaking on neurodiversity-affirming stress management and burnout prevention.
Toudal introduces a 8yo girl experiencing stress, overwhelm & meltdown. She introduces 2 scenarios: 1. Expected to go to school & not recovered.
#AECONGRESS2025
Toudal introduces a 8yo girl experiencing stress, overwhelm & meltdown. She introduces 2 scenarios: 1. Expected to go to school & not recovered.
#AECONGRESS2025
September 11, 2025 at 9:09 AM
First invited speaker of Autism Europe is Maja Toudal speaking on neurodiversity-affirming stress management and burnout prevention.
Toudal introduces a 8yo girl experiencing stress, overwhelm & meltdown. She introduces 2 scenarios: 1. Expected to go to school & not recovered.
#AECONGRESS2025
Toudal introduces a 8yo girl experiencing stress, overwhelm & meltdown. She introduces 2 scenarios: 1. Expected to go to school & not recovered.
#AECONGRESS2025