David Gray-Hammond (He/Him)
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emergentdivergence.com
David Gray-Hammond (He/Him)
@emergentdivergence.com
4.7K followers 1.6K following 740 posts
Independent Researcher focused on autism and substance use, neuroqueer theory, reframing neurofuturism, and systemic oppression.

Author with enough neurodivergent labels to make the system nervous.

Apostate of Normativity.
Posts Replies Media Videos
emergentdivergence.com
I'm just going to jump in there now and tell you that announcing your Autistic child as Autistic when knocking on strangers doors is not a safe thing to do.

#Halloween #AllHallowsEve #ActuallyAutistic #Autism #Autistic
Text reads: Halloween It's nearly here No blue buckets for autism (an arrow points to a blue pumpkin with a threatening face that has been crossed out with a read cross) Don't announced your child's needs an vulnerabilities to strangers. Stay safe on Halloween There are cob webs in the bottom right and top left corner, with an orange pumpkin in the top right.
October 4, 2025 at 10:23 AM
emergentdivergence.com
Just started my 4 and a half hour journey to Liverpool for the National Diversity Awards award ceremony tonight!

I am a finalist for the Positive Role Model Award in the disability category!
September 19, 2025 at 10:58 AM
emergentdivergence.com
Please remember the neurodivergent kids getting GCSE results that do not make them feel good about themselves.

The results they get today do not have to be a defining moment in their life.

#GCSEresults #School #SENreform #SEND #EHCP #ActuallyAutistic #autism #ADHD #AuDHD
If You Didn't Get The GCSE Results You Wanted Today - I was where you are today. - I see you. - I know how hard you tried. - Grades do not define our value or our ability. - They reflect the quality of education we were provided. Keep going. You'll be okay
August 21, 2025 at 8:43 AM
emergentdivergence.com
You've got less than 6 days until the Autistic Mental Health Conference in Brighton!

You can attend in-person, or virtually through zoom!

Tickets-

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/autistic-m...

#ActuallyAutistic #AutisticMentalHealthConference #AutisticMentalHealth #MentalHealth #neuroaffirmingpractice
Conference Itinerary 12:00pm-12:15pm Emma Dalmayne- Introducing Conference 12:20pm-13:20 Katie Munday Autistic and living the dream - Transgender and Gender Diverse Autistic Adults’ Experience Of (Un)belonging 13:25-14:25 Tanya Adkin ND Social Care & Family Services - Creating Autistic Suffering: Language, Survival, And The Work Of Change 14:25-14:45- Break 14:45- 15:45 Priscilla Eyles- Systems Of Inequity To Cult Abuse- A Pipeline 15:50- 16:50 Ed Shearer Neurodivergent Joy - Fighting A Broken System As A Neurodivergent Person And Effecting Change 16:55- 17:55 Amanda Hind - RSD, Intersectionality, And Me 17:55- 18:10 Break 18:10- 19:10 Nikki Smith- The Power Of Early Intervention And Timely Diagnosis 19:15- 20:15 David Gray-Hammond- How Psychiatric Systems Hold Power In Autistic Lives Conference Itinerary 12:00pm-12:15pm Emma Dalmayne- Introducing Conference 12:20pm-13:20 Katie Munday Autistic and living the dream - Transgender and Gender Diverse Autistic Adults’ Experience Of (Un)belonging 13:25-14:25 Tanya Adkin ND Social Care & Family Services - Creating Autistic Suffering: Language, Survival, And The Work Of Change 14:25-14:45- Break 14:45- 15:45 Priscilla Eyles- Systems Of Inequity To Cult Abuse- A Pipeline 15:50- 16:50 Ed Shearer Neurodivergent Joy - Fighting A Broken System As A Neurodivergent Person And Effecting Change 16:55- 17:55 Amanda Hind - RSD, Intersectionality, And Me 17:55- 18:10 Break 18:10- 19:10 Nikki Smith- The Power Of Early Intervention And Timely Diagnosis 19:15- 20:15 David Gray-Hammond- How Psychiatric Systems Hold Power In Autistic Lives
August 10, 2025 at 9:47 PM
emergentdivergence.com
My talk at the Autistic Mental Health Conference will be on how the psychiatric system impacts Autistic wellbeing!

If you want to listen to this talk please do register for the conference

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/autistic-m...

#AutisticMentalHealthConference #ActuallyAutistic #autism #MentalHealth
Text reads David Gray-Hammond How Psychiatric Systems Impact Autistic Wellbeing -A look at how modern framing of autiam.and madness by psychiatry has further marginalised Autistic people
August 7, 2025 at 9:45 AM
emergentdivergence.com
Nikki Smith - The Power of Early Intervention and Timely Diagnosis

#AutisticMentalHealth #MentalHealth #ActuallyAutistic #autism #AutisticRights
Title as in main post, further text reads - looking at how timely diagnosis and support can empower neurodivergent learners
August 4, 2025 at 9:12 AM
emergentdivergence.com
Priscilla Eyles - Systems of Inequity to Cult Abuse - A Pipeline

@priscillaeyles.bsky.social

#AutisticMentalHealth #MentalHealth #ActuallyAutistic #autism #AutisticRights
Title as in main post, further text reads - How a pack of systemic support and trauma-informed care leaves Autistic people susceptible to Cult Abuse and coercive control
August 4, 2025 at 9:12 AM
emergentdivergence.com
Katie Munday - Transgender and gender diverse Autistic adults’ experiences of (un)belonging

@kmunday.bsky.social

#AutisticMentalHealth #MentalHealth #ActuallyAutistic #autism #AutisticRights
Title as in main post, further text reads - a look at how belonging and human connection impacts the lives of Trans and Gender Diverse Autistic Adults.
August 4, 2025 at 9:12 AM
emergentdivergence.com
Ed Shearer - Fighting a broken system as a neurodivergent person and effecting change

@neurodivergentjoy1.bsky.social

#AutisticMentalHealth #MentalHealth #ActuallyAutistic #autism #AutisticRights
Title as in main post, further text reads - Being Autistic and Fighting to change a system that causes Autistic people harm
August 4, 2025 at 9:12 AM
emergentdivergence.com
They can stay away from my DNA
Text reads "the look you give when neurotypical researchers start asking for Autistic people's DNA" Image shows David, a larger Mediterranean man from the shoulders up giving a disappointed and judgemental side look against a great back ground.
July 18, 2025 at 2:59 PM
emergentdivergence.com
Pre-order for my new book about #AutisticPride! There will be a paperback too but there's no pre-orders for that!

Pre-order is for kindle only at the moment. This is a short book (print version is about 90 pages) laid out in larger font + double spaced for accessibility.

mybook.to/unashamed-au...
Unashamed Autistic A new book from David Gray-Hammond about Autistic Pride, advocacy, and building a better world for all Autistics. A short read with accessible text (double-spaced with larger font) Releases July 31st 2025 Kindle Pre-Order Available Now!
July 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
emergentdivergence.com
If you didn't know, I wrote a book about my personal and professional experiences of psychosis and autism. The book seems to have really resonated with people and even people with no experience of psychosis have found it helpful.

mybook.to/autpsychosis...

#ActuallyAutistic #MentalHealth #ADHD
Autism and Psychosis go together more often than professional admit. For more information, grab: A Guide To Autism And Psychosis By David Gray-Hammond Available in paperback and on kindle Link in post
June 12, 2025 at 2:21 PM
emergentdivergence.com
Following on from my writing yesterday, please sign this petition to block the temporary policy to refuse ADHD referrals for adults over 25 years old in Coventry and Warwickshire.

www.change.org/cwicbadhddia...

#ADHD #AuDHD #NHS #Healthcare #ADHDdiagnosis
June 7, 2025 at 3:52 PM
emergentdivergence.com
Have you been through Autism or ADHD assessment in England? Your voice matters. Help us understand the system by sharing your experience in this quick, anonymous survey:

forms.gle/wrhf5B9i2fvJ... 🧠💬

#Autism #ADHD #NeurodivergentVoices #AssessmentInsights
June 5, 2025 at 9:41 PM
emergentdivergence.com
Survey to collect data on experiences of autism and ADHD assessment in England using NHS and Right To Choose services.

All responses are anonymous.

forms.gle/Xnon2j7U1Dgp...

#AutismDiagnosis #AutismAssessment #ADHDdiagnosis #ADHDassessment #ActuallyAutistic
have you been assessed for autism and/or ADHD in England? If you have been assessed for autism and/or ADHD in England using NHS or Right To Choose services, please fill out this survey. The aim of this survey is to create data that can help improve service accessibility.
May 26, 2025 at 8:05 AM
emergentdivergence.com
Whether you're an Autistic person, researcher, support worker, family member, or just curious. A Guide To Autism And Psychosis will give you insight into the world of psychotic experiences for Autistic people

mybook.to/autpsychosis...

#ActuallyAutistic #autism #ADHD #MentalHealth
autism and Psychosis go together more often than professionals admit. for more information, grab a cope of a guide to autism and Psychosis. available in paperback and on kindle.
May 25, 2025 at 8:05 AM
emergentdivergence.com
I am heat sensitive and don't often notice thirst. Summer is not a comfortable time of year for me.

Check on your Autistic friends in the summer.

We are not okay.

#ActuallyAutistic #autism #SensoryDifferences #Summer #Neurodiversity
May 21, 2025 at 8:19 AM
emergentdivergence.com
Seriously, you aren't going to make it any easier to support a child into school by bullying their parents. This approach represents everything that is wrong with the education system.

#ActuallyAutistic #School #Education #EHCP
Punishing parents when a child struggles to access your school does nothing but make the situation worse. Children don't struggle with school because it's fun to do.
May 15, 2025 at 4:21 PM
emergentdivergence.com
Empowering Advocacy: Neuro-Affirming Support for Your Autistic Young Person at School

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/neuro-affi...

#ActuallyAutistic #SpecialEducationalNeeds #School #neurodiversity
image advertising a webinar about supporting your Autistic young person in school. the webinar is in June and details can be found through the accompanying post.
May 15, 2025 at 12:14 PM
emergentdivergence.com
You can support my work with a paid subscription to my substack. This gives access to some exclusive content including my "Autistic Storytime" podcast.

Get half off the first year here www.davidgrayhammond.co.uk/50off

#ActuallyAutistic #ADHD #AuDHD #neurodiversity #neurodivergent
Support my work with a paid subscription to my substack. Paid subscribers get full access to my "Autistic Storytime" podcast as well as exclusive blog posts. Subscriptions are available as both monthly and annually. Subscribing helps keep my content creation and online advocacy viable.
May 13, 2025 at 12:25 PM
emergentdivergence.com
Want to know why Autistic people might experience substance use differently? Come along to our Webinar on Monday evening!

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/autism-and...

#ActuallyAutistic #ADHD #SuhstanceUse #MentalHealth
May 8, 2025 at 2:19 PM
emergentdivergence.com
Got this wonderful note from a new subscriber!

Subscribe here- davidgrayhammond.co.uk/subscribe

#ActuallyAutistic #ADHD #MentalHealth #neurodiversity
"I support David because of all the support he tirelessly and selflessly gives to myself and others of his in-depth knowledge in neurodivergencies to support and educate and he is such a great speaker! I am continually leaning from him and view him in high regard over the..." Note from new paid subscriber
April 30, 2025 at 2:19 PM
emergentdivergence.com
How neuroqueer theory has supported my mental health recovery process

www.davidgrayhammond.co.uk/p/managing-f...

#NeuroqueerTheory #neuroqueering #ActuallyAutistic #MentalHealth
Managing Fear & Anxiety With Neuroqueer Resistance My Journey From Avoidance To Resistance In the background is the article cover picture with the same words
April 30, 2025 at 8:05 AM
emergentdivergence.com
Don't forget about my new book "The Little Book Of Madness" which contains personal essays about my experiences of madness and neurodiversity!

author.to/madness

#ActuallyAutistic #MadPride #neurodiversity
April 29, 2025 at 11:54 AM
emergentdivergence.com
New podcast episode looking at how fighting quackery led me to a lifelong interest in autism and neurodiversity and self-acceptance!

www.davidgrayhammond.co.uk/p/autistic-s...

#ActuallyAutistic #autism #neurodiversity
Cover image for Autistic Storytime with David featuring David Gray-Hammond. He is a bald Mediterranean man wearing dark glasses, a suit jacket and a white shirt. He has a beard and a lip piercing.
April 28, 2025 at 6:01 PM