Helen Ellis
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hjellis.bsky.social
Helen Ellis
@hjellis.bsky.social
2.4K followers 390 following 430 posts
Autistic adult working for the National Autistic Society (UK) - posts/reposts my own opinions, not my employers.
Unapologetically loves Rugby Union!
📚💜 Autism & Masking (2021)
📚💜 Eat, Drink, Be Autistic & Merry - still writing!
Posts Replies Media Videos
hjellis.bsky.social
This being the last media response my brilliant colleague Tim did on our (NAS) behalf is both ridiculous and enraging.

We should not have to be talking about this kind of stuff in 2025!! You cannot armchair diagnose historical figures, especially through DNA and polygenic scores!!
The UK's National Autistic Society was quick to respond, calling the findings a "cheap stunt". "Even worse than the shoddy science, we're shocked at [the documentary's] callous disregard for autistic people's feelings," said Tim Nicholls, assistant director of research, in a strongly worded statement. "Autistic people deserve better than this."
November 15, 2025 at 10:00 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
The announcement of where the 15th Congress in 2028 is going to be . . . . Huge round of flappause to the words "Bilbao, Spain"!!!

Wooohooo, love a trip to Spain!!
😁☀️😎🇪🇸

#AECongress2025
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Photograph of a screen showing a presentation slide titled "15th Autism Europe International Congress 2028 Bilbao September 14 - 16"
September 13, 2025 at 4:11 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
I have no idea how @asiamireland.bsky.social CEO Adam is still going today, much less talking on stage right now!!

Its been a hectic, overwhelming, fun, tough, bonkers 3 days and the whole AsIAm team deserve a huge round of flappause for their efforts 👏🙌👋👍

#AECongress2025
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Photograph of a screen showing a white man in a dark blue suit delivering a speech
September 13, 2025 at 4:06 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
Wenn Lawson introducing Mary Doherty and Eva Loth who are going to have an on stage chat about their "Adventures in Co-Production: a conversation on Participatory Autism Research"

#AECongress2025
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Photograph of a stage - to the right, Wenn Lawson introducing a seated Mary Doherty (right) and Eva Loth (central) a screen behind displaying an image of a mountain with a winding path, titled "Adventures in Co-Production: a conversation on Participatory Autism Research"
September 13, 2025 at 2:37 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
"It is vital that autistic people, just like non-autistic people, should be able to be at least part author of their own life story"

Really important point from Liz Pellicano

#AECongress2025
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Photograph of a screen showing a presentation slide titled "The core of my argument" It is vital that autistic people - just like non-autistic people - should be able to be at least part author of their own life story Even if, perhaps especially if, they require lots of support from other people
September 13, 2025 at 1:40 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
Keynote from the fabulously dressed Liz Pellicano on "Autistic autonomy: independence, inter-dependence and flourishing lives"

#AECongress2025
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Photograph of a crowd watching 2 screens, one showing Liz Pellicano (short brunette hair, floral dress), the other showing a presentation slide titled "Autistic autonomy: independence, inter-dependence and flourishing lives"
September 13, 2025 at 1:36 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
When your two special interests collide!! Autistic joy (rugby union) meet autistic joy (autism conferences)!!
Loving that #AECongress2025 party is being held in the same hotel as the Cardiff team are staying, hence this photo of @sarahhdbristol.bsky.social with Welsh international Josh Adams!
💜♾️🏉🏟
Photograph of Josh Adams (tall rugby player in a dark tshirt) with Sarah (olive green top)
September 12, 2025 at 8:16 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
Alt text version
Photograph of a screen showing a presentation slide titled "Semester One" Training and Education * Students: DCU requires mandatory Autism Acceptance training for all clubs and societies. Peer training sessions also focus on how different neurotypes can work together effectively in group settings * Staff: all staff members are offered Autism Acceptance training on how to best support autistic employees Support and Resources * An Autism support officer and the DCU Neurodivergent Society * Monthly Autistic staff meet up and access to autism-informed counselling * DCU Autism and Uni toolkit which features testimonials and advice from students * Settle in week - meet peers and reinforce support services. Library tours specially for autistic students Autism-Friendly Events and Space * Events - major events like the Clubs and Societies Fair and DCU Culture Night are made autism-friendly with quiet times and spaces, and accommodations for sensory, physical, and communication needs Photograph of a screen showing a presentation slide titled "Semester 2" * DCU Neurodivergent Society helps students connect by hosting weekly "chill or chat" lunch sessions * Autism-Friendly graduations offer quiet spaces, communication/sensory support, clear event details, a 360 video of the venue, and reserved seating * The Graduate Careers Fair provides early access for autistic students, a pre-information session for students, and guidance for employers Photograph of a screen showing a presentation slide titled "Autism Summer Program" with an image of a classroom on the left * a three day programme that aims to bridge the gap between secondary and higher education by preparing students for the academic, social, and practical aspects of university life * the programme has seen a significant increase in participation: - July 2023: 12 Leaving Cert students - July 2024: 14 students, including 5th year and Further Education students - July 2025: 27 students * Four students from the 2024 program who went on to enrolled at DCU worked in the July 2025 summer programme and shared their experiences. Majority of guest species and worksop presenters are Autistic staff members at DCU Photograph of a screen showing a presentation slide titled "Tiered Approach and Impact" Image of an inverted three tier triangle Top tier (largest, light blue): Wider environment Middle tier (medium, blue): DCU environment Bottom tier (smallest, dark blue): 1:1
September 12, 2025 at 5:19 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
Some really good recommendations about supporting autistic students

Alt-text to follow
September 12, 2025 at 3:28 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
The problems that add to the stress the autistic students are already under and some ways to deliver effective neuroinclusive support

Alt-text to follow
September 12, 2025 at 3:25 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
Some really interesting quotes from participants in this study

Alt-text to follow

#AECongress2025
September 12, 2025 at 3:22 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
Next talk is from Liverpool John Moore university on "Understanding how autistic students perceive transition through Univeristy and the impact upon their mental health"

(Alt text to follow)
September 12, 2025 at 3:18 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
Lots of really good content, will try to add alt-text description posts later
September 12, 2025 at 3:14 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
Lots of really good content, will try to add alt-text description posts later
September 12, 2025 at 3:13 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
Photograph of a screen showing a presentation slide titled "why are we focusing on female and trans* students?" * gender bias in autism * few studies for on educational contexts (mostly schools) * girls and women are more often mis- or under-diagnosed * masking or camouflaging more common in girls and women * autistic people are more likely to identify as trans* compared to the general population
September 12, 2025 at 3:11 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
On to the next talk titled "autistic women's and trans* people's experiences in University- a participatory research project on their challenges and resources of participation and agency"
Photograph of a screen showing a presentation slide titled "autistic women's and trans* people's experiences in University- a participatory research project on their challenges and resources of participation and agency"
September 12, 2025 at 3:03 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
Other ideas for supporting autistic students and staff in universities
Photograph of a screen showing a presentation slide titled "other ideas" * educating staff and students * organising quiet spaces * setting a support/self-advocate group for students * setting up a neurodivergent network for employees Photograph on the right of an office space with soft chairs
September 12, 2025 at 3:01 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
Funding was reduced, so the peer mentoring got reduced
Photograph of a screen showing a presentation slide titled "simplified peer mentoring program" * department based (one mentor for all students) * diagnosis or referral not required * mainly informational support A photograph on the right of students with the "I heart UW" sign
September 12, 2025 at 2:58 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
A quick section on peer mentoring
Photograph of a screen showing a presentation slide titled "peer mentoring program" * student to student support * weekly meetings 1:1 * tailored support * psychological support A yellow quartered circle, the four sections labelled: Academic Organisational Social Spatial
September 12, 2025 at 2:57 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
Next talk is also very fast, this one looking at two universities in Europe (University of Warsaw and Utrecht University)
Photograph of a screen showing a presentation slide "participation barriers for autistic students" showing an image of 5 overlapping circles; Transition Access to support Academic Social Sensory
September 12, 2025 at 2:54 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
A whistle-stop talk going through the project, these images have no alt-text as I just can't type that fast to keep up!
September 12, 2025 at 2:51 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
A whistle-stop talk going through the project, these images have no alt-text as I just can't type that fast to keep up!
September 12, 2025 at 2:50 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
A whistle-stop talk going through the project, these images have no alt-text as I just can't type that fast to keep up!
September 12, 2025 at 2:49 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
The Dublin City University (DCU) autism friendly project

#AECongress2025
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Photograph of a screen showing a presentation slide titled "Background to DCU Autism Friendly Project" Numbers 1 to 4 in circles along a line, underneath are text boxes containing the following: 1 - In 2018 Dublin City University (DCU) launched its "Autism Friendly University" project after a report commissioned by AsIAm and DCU highlighted challenges for autistic students 2 - the report identified eight principles to address barriers for autistic students, including transitioning to college, the sensory environment and a lack of autism understanding amongst staff and peers 3 - a ninth principle was later added to support the growing number of autistic staff members, providing resources like Autism-informed counselling and manager training 4 - the principles are now a core part of the university's daily functions. They are changing the cultural, academic, and physical environment
September 12, 2025 at 2:48 PM
hjellis.bsky.social
Ready to go on this afternoon session on Accessing Learning Across the Lifespan

#AECongress2025
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Photograph of a screen showing a presentation slide titled "Accessing Learning Across the Lifespan 3" 4 talks: Making a Third Level Institution Autism Friendly Helping Autistic Students Thrive at University- lessons from two European Universities Autistic women and trans people's experience in University - a participatory reasech project on their wellbeing participation and agency Understanding how autistic students perceive transition through Univeristy and the impact upon their mental health
September 12, 2025 at 2:35 PM