Miriam O'Connor
@miroconnor.bsky.social
#Autistic #NeuroAffirmative
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
Delighted to see our new paper Autistic SPACE for Inclusive Education is out in @neurodiversityjrnl.bsky.social just in time for the new school year, with @aoifemunroe.bsky.social, Elaine McGoldrick, Rachel Ferguson & Carina Byrne.
📣Publication Announcement!
Our article 'Autistic SPACE for Inclusive Education' has been published open access with Neurodiversity Journal 📑
doi.org/10.1177/2754...
Our article 'Autistic SPACE for Inclusive Education' has been published open access with Neurodiversity Journal 📑
doi.org/10.1177/2754...
Autistic SPACE for Inclusive Education - Elaine McGoldrick, Aoife Munroe, Rachel Ferguson, Carina Byrne, Mary Doherty, 2025
The continuing policy commitment to Inclusive Education internationally requires the prioritisation of the creation of inclusive schools in practice. Research w...
doi.org
August 25, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Delighted to see our new paper Autistic SPACE for Inclusive Education is out in @neurodiversityjrnl.bsky.social just in time for the new school year, with @aoifemunroe.bsky.social, Elaine McGoldrick, Rachel Ferguson & Carina Byrne.
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
Not exactly surprising—but it's also always good to have research back up autistic wisdom: "Autistic burnout seems to be linked to the stress experienced by autistic people in their daily lives."
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1... #autism #autistic #neurodiversity #AutisticBurnout
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1... #autism #autistic #neurodiversity #AutisticBurnout
Towards the measurement of autistic burnout - Samuel RC Arnold, Julianne M Higgins, Janelle Weise, Aishani Desai, Elizabeth Pellicano, Julian N Trollor, 2023
Studies are emerging documenting the experience of fatigue, exhaustion and loss of functioning that has long been described by autistic adults as autistic burno...
journals.sagepub.com
July 26, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Not exactly surprising—but it's also always good to have research back up autistic wisdom: "Autistic burnout seems to be linked to the stress experienced by autistic people in their daily lives."
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1... #autism #autistic #neurodiversity #AutisticBurnout
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1... #autism #autistic #neurodiversity #AutisticBurnout
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
"Society may tell you that carrying a plush is “childish” or watching Disney movies makes you “immature,” but it doesn’t; it makes you human. Your humanity is joy. Even with all the hardships & struggles, your autistic and disabled body is an act of resistance."
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/07/ther...
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/07/ther...
There’s nothing wrong with you - Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Written by Jada Thompson for the Autistic Self Advocacy Network ⁂ Growing up as an autistic individual, I went through a lot of hardships. I was often pushed aside, dismissed, misunderstood – I felt l...
autisticadvocacy.org
July 25, 2025 at 4:51 AM
"Society may tell you that carrying a plush is “childish” or watching Disney movies makes you “immature,” but it doesn’t; it makes you human. Your humanity is joy. Even with all the hardships & struggles, your autistic and disabled body is an act of resistance."
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/07/ther...
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/07/ther...
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
Research Reshare!
Experience of Autistic Joy!
Embrace Monotropism!
4 Themes
Autistic sensorium as a source of joy
Importance of special interests
Things must be right
Other people need to change
Wassell, E. (2025). Experiences of autistic joy. Disability & Society, 1–26. doi.org/10.1080/0968...
Experience of Autistic Joy!
Embrace Monotropism!
4 Themes
Autistic sensorium as a source of joy
Importance of special interests
Things must be right
Other people need to change
Wassell, E. (2025). Experiences of autistic joy. Disability & Society, 1–26. doi.org/10.1080/0968...
July 24, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Research Reshare!
Experience of Autistic Joy!
Embrace Monotropism!
4 Themes
Autistic sensorium as a source of joy
Importance of special interests
Things must be right
Other people need to change
Wassell, E. (2025). Experiences of autistic joy. Disability & Society, 1–26. doi.org/10.1080/0968...
Experience of Autistic Joy!
Embrace Monotropism!
4 Themes
Autistic sensorium as a source of joy
Importance of special interests
Things must be right
Other people need to change
Wassell, E. (2025). Experiences of autistic joy. Disability & Society, 1–26. doi.org/10.1080/0968...
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
Want to do better by autistic people? OK:
1) Check how someone prefers to communicate
2) Allow more time to process responses
3) Avoid assumptions based on body language
4) Be open to written or direct communication when that works best
@drstevenkapp.bsky.social et al:
drexel.edu/dornsife/new...
1) Check how someone prefers to communicate
2) Allow more time to process responses
3) Avoid assumptions based on body language
4) Be open to written or direct communication when that works best
@drstevenkapp.bsky.social et al:
drexel.edu/dornsife/new...
* - Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health
drexel.edu
July 14, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Want to do better by autistic people? OK:
1) Check how someone prefers to communicate
2) Allow more time to process responses
3) Avoid assumptions based on body language
4) Be open to written or direct communication when that works best
@drstevenkapp.bsky.social et al:
drexel.edu/dornsife/new...
1) Check how someone prefers to communicate
2) Allow more time to process responses
3) Avoid assumptions based on body language
4) Be open to written or direct communication when that works best
@drstevenkapp.bsky.social et al:
drexel.edu/dornsife/new...
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
New webpage full of signposting to support those experiencing Autistic menopause/ perimenopause.
Including the fab work of @christineajenkins.bsky.social, @draimeegrant.bsky.social, @rosematthews.bsky.social and many others !
autisticrealms.com/autistic-men...
Including the fab work of @christineajenkins.bsky.social, @draimeegrant.bsky.social, @rosematthews.bsky.social and many others !
autisticrealms.com/autistic-men...
Autistic Menopause & Perimenopause Resources | Autistic Realms
A signposting resource to support Autistic people experiencing menopause/ perimenopause. What else would you recommend?Any other research/books/ blogs / You ...
autisticrealms.com
March 22, 2025 at 4:54 PM
New webpage full of signposting to support those experiencing Autistic menopause/ perimenopause.
Including the fab work of @christineajenkins.bsky.social, @draimeegrant.bsky.social, @rosematthews.bsky.social and many others !
autisticrealms.com/autistic-men...
Including the fab work of @christineajenkins.bsky.social, @draimeegrant.bsky.social, @rosematthews.bsky.social and many others !
autisticrealms.com/autistic-men...
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
Over 3400 views in 11 weeks of our latest #AutRes paper. #Menopause is finally getting attention. #EndTheStigma
Here’s a free PDF—
Original version below.
Here’s a free PDF—
Original version below.
“Struggling for Years” survey Autistic menopause Dec 2024 | Christine A Jenkins
The free PDF version of our Phase 3 research, the international survey of 508 people on Autistic menopause.
#AutRes #ResearchAutisticsWant #Menopause #AuDHD
www.linkedin.com
March 11, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Over 3400 views in 11 weeks of our latest #AutRes paper. #Menopause is finally getting attention. #EndTheStigma
Here’s a free PDF—
Original version below.
Here’s a free PDF—
Original version below.
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
New research - looks good!
Key Findings:
AQoL isn’t just about having basic needs met, it’s about self-determination, emotional well-being, and feeling like life is worth living.
Sensory-friendly spaces, connection with animals, and true societal acceptance
www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Key Findings:
AQoL isn’t just about having basic needs met, it’s about self-determination, emotional well-being, and feeling like life is worth living.
Sensory-friendly spaces, connection with animals, and true societal acceptance
www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Quality of Life Defined by Autistic People: A Thematic Analysis | Autism in Adulthood
Background: Autistic adults experience significantly lower quality of life (QoL) than non-Autistic adults. Accordingly, the autism community has identified QoL as a critical outcome for intervention r...
www.liebertpub.com
March 10, 2025 at 2:46 PM
New research - looks good!
Key Findings:
AQoL isn’t just about having basic needs met, it’s about self-determination, emotional well-being, and feeling like life is worth living.
Sensory-friendly spaces, connection with animals, and true societal acceptance
www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Key Findings:
AQoL isn’t just about having basic needs met, it’s about self-determination, emotional well-being, and feeling like life is worth living.
Sensory-friendly spaces, connection with animals, and true societal acceptance
www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
annsautism.blogspot.com/2019/01/auti... The research. Top teams, top Universities, top new findings.
Genuinely different, valid way of socialising, for example. We didn't know this until recently, because we kept Only Looking For Negatives.
What an error.
Genuinely different, valid way of socialising, for example. We didn't know this until recently, because we kept Only Looking For Negatives.
What an error.
Autism: Some Vital Research Links.
Updated July 2024 Autism. Here we are, 100 years on from the work of Sukhareva, and 80 years on from the original misunderstandings in ...
annsautism.blogspot.com
March 5, 2025 at 10:56 AM
annsautism.blogspot.com/2019/01/auti... The research. Top teams, top Universities, top new findings.
Genuinely different, valid way of socialising, for example. We didn't know this until recently, because we kept Only Looking For Negatives.
What an error.
Genuinely different, valid way of socialising, for example. We didn't know this until recently, because we kept Only Looking For Negatives.
What an error.
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
Some autism research reading for #InternationalWomensDay
"Autistic women were happier and more self-assured in their adult relationships than they remembered being in adolescence."
(Sedgewick et al 2019)
doi.org/10.1089/aut....
"Autistic women were happier and more self-assured in their adult relationships than they remembered being in adolescence."
(Sedgewick et al 2019)
doi.org/10.1089/aut....
Friends and Lovers: The Relationships of Autistic and Neurotypical Women | Autism in Adulthood
Abstract Background: Little is known about the friendships and relationships of autistic adults, despite decades of research evidence showing the benefits of close relationships for neurotypical ad...
doi.org
March 8, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Some autism research reading for #InternationalWomensDay
"Autistic women were happier and more self-assured in their adult relationships than they remembered being in adolescence."
(Sedgewick et al 2019)
doi.org/10.1089/aut....
"Autistic women were happier and more self-assured in their adult relationships than they remembered being in adolescence."
(Sedgewick et al 2019)
doi.org/10.1089/aut....
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
Changelog: Updated “Autistic Rapport” with selections from “Rapport in same and mixed neurotype groups of autistic and non-autistic adults - 2025”.
Autistic Rapport
Rapport is characterized by mutual feelings of positivity, attentiveness, affinity, and harmony within social interactions. Autistic people enjoy spending time with other autistic people and find…
stimpunks.org
February 27, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Changelog: Updated “Autistic Rapport” with selections from “Rapport in same and mixed neurotype groups of autistic and non-autistic adults - 2025”.
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
In this meta-analysis of 40 studies incl 5,619,584 participants we found that #autistic individuals are more than 2X likely to have had at least 1 adverse childhood experience, incl all types of abuse, neglect, violence, bullying etc., than a non-autistic person.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
February 4, 2025 at 11:24 PM
In this meta-analysis of 40 studies incl 5,619,584 participants we found that #autistic individuals are more than 2X likely to have had at least 1 adverse childhood experience, incl all types of abuse, neglect, violence, bullying etc., than a non-autistic person.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
If you’re scared, that means you care.
If you’re angry, that means you’re paying attention.
If you’re exhausted, that means you’ve been fighting.
And if you’re still here? That means you haven’t given up yet.
And I swear to you, neither have we. All over the world.
If you’re angry, that means you’re paying attention.
If you’re exhausted, that means you’ve been fighting.
And if you’re still here? That means you haven’t given up yet.
And I swear to you, neither have we. All over the world.
February 17, 2025 at 4:28 PM
If you’re scared, that means you care.
If you’re angry, that means you’re paying attention.
If you’re exhausted, that means you’ve been fighting.
And if you’re still here? That means you haven’t given up yet.
And I swear to you, neither have we. All over the world.
If you’re angry, that means you’re paying attention.
If you’re exhausted, that means you’ve been fighting.
And if you’re still here? That means you haven’t given up yet.
And I swear to you, neither have we. All over the world.
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
Possibly the best AAC post of all time: If you or your autistic person use AAC [alternative communication], don't forget to enable descriptions of personal boundaries—because everyone should be able to say "stop" and "F*** off". From Mel Baggs, RIP:
ballastexistenz.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/c...
ballastexistenz.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/c...
Communication page I used to handle that invasive woman I met.
It’s been quite some time since I posted my letter to the woman who accosted me on my way to the para transit van. But I wanted to update people on how I handled the situation when she approa…
ballastexistenz.wordpress.com
February 9, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Possibly the best AAC post of all time: If you or your autistic person use AAC [alternative communication], don't forget to enable descriptions of personal boundaries—because everyone should be able to say "stop" and "F*** off". From Mel Baggs, RIP:
ballastexistenz.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/c...
ballastexistenz.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/c...
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
I like this new research.
For decades, teams said that autistic people can't understand that people have minds & opinions of their own. ('Theory of Mind') (sigh).
There's been a lot of pushback about this e.g. Damian Milton's work.
Now, there's even more.
psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
For decades, teams said that autistic people can't understand that people have minds & opinions of their own. ('Theory of Mind') (sigh).
There's been a lot of pushback about this e.g. Damian Milton's work.
Now, there's even more.
psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
APA PsycNet
psycnet.apa.org
January 10, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I like this new research.
For decades, teams said that autistic people can't understand that people have minds & opinions of their own. ('Theory of Mind') (sigh).
There's been a lot of pushback about this e.g. Damian Milton's work.
Now, there's even more.
psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
For decades, teams said that autistic people can't understand that people have minds & opinions of their own. ('Theory of Mind') (sigh).
There's been a lot of pushback about this e.g. Damian Milton's work.
Now, there's even more.
psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
everydayfeminism.com/2015/12/tone... And, when we're in a mood to reflect on power and privilege, this is one of my all time favourite illustrations & messages.
Do autistic people have to perform being good little quiet nice people, to earn the right to advocate for life?
Whose power dictates this?
Do autistic people have to perform being good little quiet nice people, to earn the right to advocate for life?
Whose power dictates this?
No, We Won't Calm Down – Tone Policing Is Just Another Way to Protect Privilege - Everyday Feminism
“Calm down so we can discuss this like adults.” Ever said something like this in a conversation on oppression? Tone policing is no way to get justice, and this comic will help you understand exactly w...
everydayfeminism.com
December 31, 2024 at 1:00 PM
everydayfeminism.com/2015/12/tone... And, when we're in a mood to reflect on power and privilege, this is one of my all time favourite illustrations & messages.
Do autistic people have to perform being good little quiet nice people, to earn the right to advocate for life?
Whose power dictates this?
Do autistic people have to perform being good little quiet nice people, to earn the right to advocate for life?
Whose power dictates this?
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
annsautism.blogspot.com/2019/01/auti... and this blog serves as a list of some of the academic research which challenges the negative beliefs of some people about autism.
Again, academic science and study, not woo or 'uneducated people in the pub'.
Read widely. Think carefully.
Again, academic science and study, not woo or 'uneducated people in the pub'.
Read widely. Think carefully.
Autism: Some Vital Research Links.
Updated July 2024 Autism. Here we are, 100 years on from the work of Sukhareva, and 80 years on from the original misunderstandings in ...
annsautism.blogspot.com
December 31, 2024 at 10:16 AM
annsautism.blogspot.com/2019/01/auti... and this blog serves as a list of some of the academic research which challenges the negative beliefs of some people about autism.
Again, academic science and study, not woo or 'uneducated people in the pub'.
Read widely. Think carefully.
Again, academic science and study, not woo or 'uneducated people in the pub'.
Read widely. Think carefully.
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
📢Just published! Autistic people with intellectual disabilities are often excluded from research, leaving their needs overlooked. Our review found only 14 studies asking for their direct input, with few tools designed for them. We need to prioritise their voices.
www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/...
www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/...
Unheard Voices: A Systematic Literature Review of Studies Using Self-Report Methods to Gather the Perspectives of Autistic Adults with Intellectual Disability | Autism in Adulthood
Background: Autistic individuals with intellectual disability remain significantly underrepresented in research, particularly in studies that capture their lived experiences through self-report method...
www.liebertpub.com
December 10, 2024 at 9:15 PM
📢Just published! Autistic people with intellectual disabilities are often excluded from research, leaving their needs overlooked. Our review found only 14 studies asking for their direct input, with few tools designed for them. We need to prioritise their voices.
www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/...
www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/...
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
As a parent, this hits me in the heart: Autistic lives are marked by an often-astounding excess stress burden across the life span, and it's usually because of other people's behavior. Those of us who aren't autistic can do better. Research by Dr. Monique Botha:
www.frontiersin.org/journals/psy...
www.frontiersin.org/journals/psy...
December 5, 2024 at 1:33 AM
As a parent, this hits me in the heart: Autistic lives are marked by an often-astounding excess stress burden across the life span, and it's usually because of other people's behavior. Those of us who aren't autistic can do better. Research by Dr. Monique Botha:
www.frontiersin.org/journals/psy...
www.frontiersin.org/journals/psy...
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
New research.
Groups often offer 'social skills training' to allegedly 'improve' our social skills.
Does it work?
No.
We're just as autistic afterwards, & still use our own natural social skill set.
They recommend working with us, in future. What a good plan.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39690375/
Groups often offer 'social skills training' to allegedly 'improve' our social skills.
Does it work?
No.
We're just as autistic afterwards, & still use our own natural social skill set.
They recommend working with us, in future. What a good plan.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39690375/
A Systematic Review of Implicit Versus Explicit Social Skills Group Programs in Different Settings for School-Aged Autistic Children and Adolescents - PubMed
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify and evaluate the quality of randomised controlled trials (RCTs), assessing the efficacy of Social Skills Group Programs (SSGPs) for primary a...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
December 18, 2024 at 4:28 PM
New research.
Groups often offer 'social skills training' to allegedly 'improve' our social skills.
Does it work?
No.
We're just as autistic afterwards, & still use our own natural social skill set.
They recommend working with us, in future. What a good plan.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39690375/
Groups often offer 'social skills training' to allegedly 'improve' our social skills.
Does it work?
No.
We're just as autistic afterwards, & still use our own natural social skill set.
They recommend working with us, in future. What a good plan.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39690375/
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
So I’ve been obsessively doing origami for the last couple of weeks or so. I kind of hate origami but I also love it? Here’s a thread of things I’ve made:
Turtle
Turtle
December 19, 2024 at 5:31 PM
So I’ve been obsessively doing origami for the last couple of weeks or so. I kind of hate origami but I also love it? Here’s a thread of things I’ve made:
Turtle
Turtle
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
In today's 'Research that makes you want to make a nice mug of tea to get over reading it', this: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Now, for sure, we need teams to focus on improving the quality of life of autistic people in mental health settings.
But...
/thread...
Now, for sure, we need teams to focus on improving the quality of life of autistic people in mental health settings.
But...
/thread...
Secondary effects of dialectical behaviour therapy on social functioning, quality of life, and autism traits in autistic adults with suicidality - Anne Huntjens, LMC (Wies) van den Bosch, Bram Sizoo, ...
The effect of psychological treatment on social functioning, quality of life and autism traits in autistic people with suicidal behaviour remains largely unknow...
journals.sagepub.com
December 16, 2024 at 4:42 PM
In today's 'Research that makes you want to make a nice mug of tea to get over reading it', this: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Now, for sure, we need teams to focus on improving the quality of life of autistic people in mental health settings.
But...
/thread...
Now, for sure, we need teams to focus on improving the quality of life of autistic people in mental health settings.
But...
/thread...
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
Reading this fabulous paper on reporting qual research results by Braun and Clarke @ginnybraun.bsky.social @vicclarke.bsky.social and recommend you do too (it's also open access): www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reporting guidelines for qualitative research: a values-based approach
Evaluative tools for qualitative research need to be developed and designed in a way that allows them to be used by the research community to assess qualitative research on its own terms, and thus ...
www.tandfonline.com
December 14, 2024 at 8:51 PM
Reading this fabulous paper on reporting qual research results by Braun and Clarke @ginnybraun.bsky.social @vicclarke.bsky.social and recommend you do too (it's also open access): www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
New research explores "autistic flow"! ✨ It's about how we autistic folks get *super* focused & happy. Think "in the zone," but uniquely autistic. #AutisticFlow #AutRes
1/4
1/4
Autistic Flow theory 👇
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Towards autistic flow theory: A non‐pathologising conceptual approach
Flow states are heightened moments of concentration, motivation and enjoyment, leading to total absorption in the present moment. A striking parallel exists between flow states and phenomenological a....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
December 15, 2024 at 6:20 AM
New research explores "autistic flow"! ✨ It's about how we autistic folks get *super* focused & happy. Think "in the zone," but uniquely autistic. #AutisticFlow #AutRes
1/4
1/4
Reposted by Miriam O'Connor
I was reflecting recently on what made me realize I was Autistic.
It began with an illustration series by an Aut artist, called "The ABCs of Stimming."
I realized that lining toys up isn't quite allistic...
If you're curious if you're Autistic maybe this series will help you too!
bit.ly/3Zteu0q
It began with an illustration series by an Aut artist, called "The ABCs of Stimming."
I realized that lining toys up isn't quite allistic...
If you're curious if you're Autistic maybe this series will help you too!
bit.ly/3Zteu0q
“The ABCs of Stimming” - A Helpful Illustration Series of Autistic Stims
I first found this visual series of stims many, many years ago. It’s not only charming, but helped me solidify my own acceptance of being Autistic. While scrolling Tumblr one day, perhaps when I was about 16 years old, I happened upon a comic series. It described the many different kinds of stims an Autistic person can do. It was in a cute, "A is for... B is for..." format. I was intrigued. I thought I was neurotypical at the time. 100%. Despite being lonely, bullied, and mistreated because I wa
bit.ly
November 30, 2024 at 5:30 PM
I was reflecting recently on what made me realize I was Autistic.
It began with an illustration series by an Aut artist, called "The ABCs of Stimming."
I realized that lining toys up isn't quite allistic...
If you're curious if you're Autistic maybe this series will help you too!
bit.ly/3Zteu0q
It began with an illustration series by an Aut artist, called "The ABCs of Stimming."
I realized that lining toys up isn't quite allistic...
If you're curious if you're Autistic maybe this series will help you too!
bit.ly/3Zteu0q