Scott Neilson (Autistically Scott)
LightNews LightNews
banner
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
Scott Neilson (Autistically Scott)
@autisticallyscott.bsky.social
1K followers 160 following 96 posts
Autistic Trainer, Mentor, Consultant and Co-author based in Lanarkshire, Scotland. PGCert Autism. https://linktr.ee/autisticallyscott
Posts Replies Media Videos
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
Looking forward to myself and @laurahellfeld.bsky.social having this interview in October with @autangel.bsky.social on ‘Creating a Safe Autistic Space’. Further information below on how to join. 😊
Creating a Safe Autistic Space In conversation with Laura Hellfeld and Scott Neilson Monday 6th October 18:30 - 19:30 AutAngel
September 10, 2025 at 1:50 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
Last week I delivered a session to teachers who are involved with North Lanarkshire Council’s Active Schools programme. Thank you to Active Schools for inviting me back for the 3rd year in a row! 😊
Picture of Scott’s laptop on a stand and desk. The PowerPoint cover slide with a beige colored background on the screen features texts that states: Autistic Information Session NLC Active Schools Scott’s gold, blue and green Autistically Scott logo is displayed on a banner image on the slide. Training, Mentoring & Consultancy Helping Autistics Thrive Autistically
September 8, 2025 at 1:43 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
Thank you to @jadefarrington.bsky.social for asking me to contribute to their spotlight series with an article on creating safe spaces for Autistic and otherwise Neurodivergent people. 🙂 You can read this on Jade’s Substack.
Spotlight on Creating Safe Spaces with Scott Neilson of Autistically Scott How to build safe environments for Autistic and otherwise Neurodiverhent people JadeFarrington.substack.com
August 11, 2025 at 1:27 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
This wonderful eBook was created to support Palestine. This can be accessed via providing donations to charities that are supporting the people of Gaza. An audio version of the eBook is also available. Further details below on how to donate.
‘Ways of Being, Knowing & Doing An Anthology for Neurodivergent-informed Practice Send proof of donation to NDebooklet@outlook.com’ The eBook is highlighted in the centre of the graphic. Various charities supporting Gaza are listed with QR codes underneath them.
July 30, 2025 at 1:38 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
Below is some feedback that I have received from my training sessions this year. I’m very privileged to work with a variety of organisations and I’m excited for what’s coming up in the second half of the year. :)
Training Feedback 2025 “Scott was exceptional and in making the material relative to everyone in the room, to help them speak about their own experiences to help build on understanding.” “I really enjoyed all aspects of the course, very informative. Scott was great and very approachable and helped me understand.” Training Feedback 2025 “Thank you so much for your time, care, and energy in delivering the training to all of us. You were always so thoughtful, supportive, and insightful in your responses and prompts to us. I'm very grateful for having had the opportunity to train with you.” “This has been so informative and amazing!!! I’ve taken loads away from this.” Training Feedback 2025 “Scott is a fantastic facilitator and describes and explains things in a way that is easy to understand. He is so inclusive of parents, children and staff. He is approachable and takes time to listen. I couldn't think of anyone better to deliver this training so thank you Scott.” Training Feedback 2025 “Thank you for running this session. It has been the most positive and informative learning I’ve attended since our son was identified as being autistic. I now feel confident that our son will thrive.” “This session was as great and helpful as the last one about Autistic Burnout!”
June 26, 2025 at 9:41 AM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
Wonderful first session of the BEING ME groups with GROVE on Saturday. We hope that this has helped the young people to begin exploring their own subjective Autistic experience! 😊

Also myself and Jess unexpectedly matched with our T-shirt colours for the session!

@gr0ve.bsky.social
Image of Scott and Jess in a Teams call before the BEING ME group started. Both wearing orange T-shirts with their GROVE background displayed on their screens. The caption says “Scott and I accidentally twinning our t-shirts”.
June 10, 2025 at 11:31 AM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
We’re thrilled about the boost that ‘Creating Safe Spaces’ has had recently. This has been our highest month of sales since September! For anyone who hasn’t done so yet, leaving a review would greatly help the book’s reach. We so appreciate everyone who has gotten a copy and read the book. :)
Call for Reviews For Creating Safe Spaces for Autistic People Scott Neilson & Laura Hellfeld Image of a megaphone signalling the call for reviews, featuring the cover of the safe spaces book. Purple and beige colours are displayed on the graphic.
May 26, 2025 at 12:14 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
I was invited onto the latest episode of the SEND, Loud and Proud podcast. Thank you to Adam for having me on! :)
ID: Blue background featuring images of Scott and Adam, as well as text and some conversation bubbles shapes. ‘A conversation with Scott Neilson Out now SEND, LOUD & PROUD’
May 19, 2025 at 4:34 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
Earlier this week I delivered an online session on Autistic experiences of trauma to the parents/carers at the Dixon Community. We discussed the importance of any support or approach being led by the Autistic person and for it to focus on changing the environment rather than promoting compliance.
Image of Scott’s laptop m displaying a slide of questions for attendees on the session. ‘Considerations Is the approach/therapy adapted to suit the wellbeing of the Autistic person? Does it focus on any goals or motivations that the person has? Does the approach/therapy focus more on compliance rather than changing the environment?’
May 1, 2025 at 2:22 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
What an amazing experience last week at the Minding Autistic Minds conference. It was great to present 4 workshops over the 2 days and spend time with so many wonderful people.

Such a welcoming, emotional and healing neuro-affirming space to be in. Very privileged to have been a part of it! :)
Image of Siobhan, Pete, Gillian, Scott and Grainne on the stage at the AUsome conference for a Q&A panel. Scott, Maqqi and Evaleen at the Osprey hotel lounge. Heading slide of creating safe spaces for autistic children workshop held in one of the hotel conference rooms Image of Scott delivering the workshop on creating safe spaces for autistic adults to conference attendees.
April 29, 2025 at 3:02 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
Day 1 of the Minding Autistic Minds conference. Very grateful to be here!
Image of a lanyard sitting on a desk with the AUsome Training logo that states ‘Guest presenter Minding Autistic Minds conference’
April 25, 2025 at 11:54 AM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
It’s such a privilege to be presenting at the Minding Autistic Minds conference this week. Only 3 days to go!

Tickets are still available to join in-person or online.
Minding Autistic Minds Presenter Profiles Creating Safe Spaces for Autistic People (Workshops) Scott is an Autistic Trainer, Mentor and Consultant based in Lanarkshire, Scotland who has delivered training sessions to hundreds of professionals, and also works with AUsome Training. They co-authored ‘Creating Safe Spaces for Autistic People’ which defined the principles, values and ethos required to design events accessible for Autistic people. They believe that helping Autistic people feel safe must be a core aspect of professional practice.
April 22, 2025 at 12:10 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
Happy to share that ‘Gabby’s Glimmers’ is now available in Ireland via Outside the Box.

They will also be selling copies at the AUsome Training conference this Friday and Saturday.
Cover of Gabby’s Glimmers book featuring various colors, such as purple, gold and pink. The title, subtitle and author names are displayed on the cover. Gabby’s Glimmers: An affirming story of an Autistic child and their favourite food Laura Hellfeld Alice McSweeney Scott Neilson Illustrated by Abby Lastowski
April 21, 2025 at 6:51 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
It has been a year since myself and @laurahellfeld.bsky.social published Creating Safe Spaces for Autistic People. To celebrate that, we are putting the book on sale through the next month. Huge thank you to everyone who has supported the book and found it useful!
Beige background with the creating safe spaces book in the centre. Scott and Laura’s multi-coloured logos are displayed at the bottom corners of the image. One year sale of Cresting Safe Spaces for Autistic People Paperback now £8 on Amazon through May Scott Neilson Laura Hellfeld
April 18, 2025 at 3:32 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
I am delighted to share that I have received a Postgraduate Certificate in Autism from Sheffield Hallam University. It was a wonderful experience to have the brilliant Dr Luke Beardon as my supervisor throughout this fantastic course! :)
Picture of Scott’s PGCert certificate placed on a desk within the red coloured handout package posted by the university. Sheffield Hallam University Scott William Neilson has been awarded the Postgraduate Certificate with Distinction having followed an approved programme in Autism 25 February 2025 Signatures of the chancellor and vice-chancellor are displayed at the bottom of the certificate.
April 8, 2025 at 1:16 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
Very excited (and slightly terrified) to be presenting at the Minding Autistic Minds conference in Ireland next month. I’ll be delivering workshops on creating safe spaces for children and adults over the 2 days.
Minding Autistic Minds Conference A vital hybrid conference on Autistic mental health Recording included with every ticket 25th & 26th April 2025 Osprey Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare & online
March 31, 2025 at 1:31 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
Fun day yesterday in Edinburgh catching up with the brazilliant Evaleen. :)
Picture of Evaleen from AUsome Training and Scott under an umbrella next to the Edinburgh Waverley Market
March 23, 2025 at 12:39 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
Yesterday I was invited to Kirknewton primary school to deliver assemblies as part of neurodiversity celebration week. Big thank you to the young people for their great questions and input throughout the afternoon!
Picture of Kirknewton primary school’s hall displaying a screen with a slide saying “Thank you for having me” with flappy hands icons on the slide.
March 18, 2025 at 7:16 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
Exploring how you learn can have a positive impact on your life All learning styles are valid. Our needs are fluid and change over time. Often our learning styles will change to reflect this. Ensuring that there are a variety of learning options available is key to meeting people’s needs. It might be that your learning style changes depending on the context. For example, there might be times when you prefer to learn through a visual or kinesthetic means, or you might be best learning in your own way (autodidactic). Alice “I have always been a very visual learner, at secondary school I would take my notes and textbook home with me and reteach myself. I would put the information given to me (that I couldn’t understand or retain in my lessons) and would break it down into colourful speech bubbles in spider diagrams. I have and continue to always learn and work best when I’m physically on my own sat in comfy clothing, on a sofa or bed with my duvet on my lap (my safe space)” Laura “I’m a doer. I have a hard time grasping a concept unless I actually have the tools in my hands or what I’m learning about in front of me. I think this naturally led me into healthcare as I much preferred actively doing what I was learning. That way I had context, built muscle memory & could take in all of the sensory information as well. It’s much easier for me to then remember. If I can’t be hands-on, I then have to pretend to teach the subject. Literally whisper it out loud and think of what questions might be asked based on what I said.” Scott “Understanding monotropism has been influential for me in recognising how I learn. If I am not given the opportunity to be in a flow state I can struggle to focus or take in any information, whether this be from reading a book, article or listening to a seminar. When allowing my monotropic brain the time and space to immerse myself in learning, I am far more productive. Whereas I recognise when juggling numerous topics or being pulled in other directions that it is impossible for me to process anything. Overall, I am still understanding my own learning style and what I need in my environment.”
March 4, 2025 at 2:15 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
Below are some graphics created with @laurahellfeld.bsky.social and @ndjourneys.bsky.social on learning styles. We hope that people find these useful!
Different learning styles The image displays the logos of Laura, Alice and Scott Different Learning Styles Auditory Visual Reading Autodidactic Kinesthetic Visual -requiring information in form of pictures, signs, demonstrations over just hearing words. Reading - processing information through words on a page, board or device. Auditory - learning through audio information, such as talks, podcasts or audiobooks. Kinesthetic - learning through body movements and being practical rather than sitting down at a desk Autodidactic - becoming self-taught in subjects that someone is naturally interested in. Logical/analytical - use logical and their reasoning to process information and understand concepts. They can often be pattern seekers and be effective at collecting data. Social/linguistic - learners who enjoy education when part of a group or working with their peers on projects and activities. Solitary - for individuals who are best learning on their own rather in groups. Nature learners - those who thrive when learning outdoors, such as within forest schools. Many neurodivergent people appear to thrive in these settings compared to traditional education.
March 4, 2025 at 2:14 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
Great to be back at Indigo Childcare in Garrowhill last night for a session with their staff and families. Over the next few weeks I’ll be delivering sessions at their nursery in Castlemilk. Thank you to Indigo for inviting me again. :)
Exterior of Indigo nursery in Garrowhill
February 26, 2025 at 1:26 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
Today was an eventful one! I started the morning with a training session on creating safety for Autistic pupils with the teaching staff at Pirie Park primary school. Then an afternoon session with the early years staff at Monkey Puzzle nursery in Glasgow central. :)

#ActuallyAutistic
Image from back centre of Pirie Park Primary school hall of Scott delivering a training session on their stage. Several dozen teaching staff are seated. Right angled shot of the Pirie Park Primary school hall of Scott delivering a training session on their stage. Several dozen teaching staff are seated. Exterior picture of the entrance to Monkey Puzzle Nursery based in Glasgow Central.
February 19, 2025 at 4:04 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
Yesterday I delivered an in-service day training session to a great team of teachers at Kirknewton Primary in West Lothian. We discussed various topics such as Autistic communication, sensory needs, monotropism and masking. Thank you to the school for inviting me. 🙂
Picture of Kirknewton Primary school taken across the road from the school. The entrance to the building is shown with the school name displayed above the door.
February 18, 2025 at 12:34 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
I finished a Train the Trainer cohort of Cothú yesterday. Now 5 more professionals will go on to deliver this fantastic course to parents of Autistic children.

For anyone interested in becoming a Cothú trainer, go to AUsome Training
An image of the happy parent toolkit featured in AUsome Training’s Cothú course. Cothú toolkit Happy parent Happy parent means a happy child Self care Remember your own needs Support Take support where it is helpful Acceptance Build a relationship with your child Self belief Trust your instincts Explore more Learn from the Autistic community
February 12, 2025 at 12:37 PM
autisticallyscott.bsky.social
Some lovely feedback for GROVE recently. I’m thrilled to be a part of this neuro-affirming organisation that provides mentoring to Autistic young people!

#ItsAutisticTime
Grove’s Individual Mentoring: We have availability, learn more on our website Feedback from our current and past Mentee’s parents/carers: “He has really enjoyed the mentoring sessions. He likes talking about his hobbies and used the phrase “You can leave the room now mum, it’s Autistic time.” All mentors are Autistic Online Relationship & connection focused
February 11, 2025 at 11:47 AM