@smiththejustin.bsky.social
Autistic. Occasional Football writer for FNSW. Sydney FC supporter. Tennis follower. Bird owner. Read a lot as well (particularly sci-fi and sports)
Reposted
The Nobel Prize committee should announce the World Cup winner tomorrow
December 6, 2025 at 4:29 AM
The Nobel Prize committee should announce the World Cup winner tomorrow
Reposted
If you read anything this weekend, make it this by @barneyronay.bsky.social - www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Silence over Sudan: why do Manchester City’s owners get away with so much?
Two midweek matches in England had a backdrop of war and geopolitics, but only one drew large protests
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:44 AM
If you read anything this weekend, make it this by @barneyronay.bsky.social - www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Reposted
Today in Hell Yes, research: Once again, the data show there is no such thing as an autism epidemic, just better detection. Anyone who claims otherwise—especially if positioning themselves as an a autism research advocate—deserves severe and profound side-eyes.
publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/is-ther...
publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/is-ther...
Is There an Autism Epidemic? | Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Autism diagnosis rates have risen over the past two decades—but why? An autism researcher explains what's behind the increase.
publichealth.jhu.edu
June 10, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Today in Hell Yes, research: Once again, the data show there is no such thing as an autism epidemic, just better detection. Anyone who claims otherwise—especially if positioning themselves as an a autism research advocate—deserves severe and profound side-eyes.
publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/is-ther...
publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/is-ther...
Reposted
Staple this to RFK Jr’s forehead.
April 19, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Staple this to RFK Jr’s forehead.
Reposted
Autism is not a disease.
April 15, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Autism is not a disease.
Reposted
WHAT A MATCH!
Alex De Minaur comes back from a break down in the 3rd set and defeats the sensational João Fonseca (and the very loud Brazilian crowd) 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 to reach the last 16 in Miami.
Great battle.
A match that tells you EVERYTHING you need to know about De Minaur.
Alex De Minaur comes back from a break down in the 3rd set and defeats the sensational João Fonseca (and the very loud Brazilian crowd) 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 to reach the last 16 in Miami.
Great battle.
A match that tells you EVERYTHING you need to know about De Minaur.
March 25, 2025 at 1:42 AM
WHAT A MATCH!
Alex De Minaur comes back from a break down in the 3rd set and defeats the sensational João Fonseca (and the very loud Brazilian crowd) 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 to reach the last 16 in Miami.
Great battle.
A match that tells you EVERYTHING you need to know about De Minaur.
Alex De Minaur comes back from a break down in the 3rd set and defeats the sensational João Fonseca (and the very loud Brazilian crowd) 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 to reach the last 16 in Miami.
Great battle.
A match that tells you EVERYTHING you need to know about De Minaur.
Reposted
🧵
As a fellow AuDHD-er, I love that calling neurodiversity a "superpower" has always been a powerful and often necessary act of rhetorical reclamation, given how inhospitable the world remains to neurodiverse people.
I must also say that being neurodiverse doesn't always feel like a superpower!
As a fellow AuDHD-er, I love that calling neurodiversity a "superpower" has always been a powerful and often necessary act of rhetorical reclamation, given how inhospitable the world remains to neurodiverse people.
I must also say that being neurodiverse doesn't always feel like a superpower!
Lucy Bronze opens up about how ADHD & autism are part of what makes her so successful at football 👏 💙
March 19, 2025 at 11:58 PM
🧵
As a fellow AuDHD-er, I love that calling neurodiversity a "superpower" has always been a powerful and often necessary act of rhetorical reclamation, given how inhospitable the world remains to neurodiverse people.
I must also say that being neurodiverse doesn't always feel like a superpower!
As a fellow AuDHD-er, I love that calling neurodiversity a "superpower" has always been a powerful and often necessary act of rhetorical reclamation, given how inhospitable the world remains to neurodiverse people.
I must also say that being neurodiverse doesn't always feel like a superpower!
Reposted
Why am I, in Britain, concerned about what's happening in the US?
It concerns everyone on the planet.
And, it concerns me because yesterday's speech from the US leader said, "...Not long ago ... 1 in 10,000 children had autism. Now it's 1 in 36. There's something wrong"
I just ...what?/
It concerns everyone on the planet.
And, it concerns me because yesterday's speech from the US leader said, "...Not long ago ... 1 in 10,000 children had autism. Now it's 1 in 36. There's something wrong"
I just ...what?/
March 5, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Why am I, in Britain, concerned about what's happening in the US?
It concerns everyone on the planet.
And, it concerns me because yesterday's speech from the US leader said, "...Not long ago ... 1 in 10,000 children had autism. Now it's 1 in 36. There's something wrong"
I just ...what?/
It concerns everyone on the planet.
And, it concerns me because yesterday's speech from the US leader said, "...Not long ago ... 1 in 10,000 children had autism. Now it's 1 in 36. There's something wrong"
I just ...what?/
Reposted
🎆WELCOME TO SAUDI! But not to the World Cup watch party!
Journalist @aselliaas.bsky.social and his colleague were subjected to absurd runarounds when they tried to get access to the tent where Saudi Arabia was presenting its bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034 👇
www.playthegame.org/news/welcome...
Journalist @aselliaas.bsky.social and his colleague were subjected to absurd runarounds when they tried to get access to the tent where Saudi Arabia was presenting its bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034 👇
www.playthegame.org/news/welcome...
Welcome to Saudi! But not to the World Cup watch party
During a visit to Saudi Arabia, journalist Andreas Selliaas and his colleague were subjected to absurd runarounds when they tried to obtain accreditation to the tent where Saudi Arabia was presenting ...
www.playthegame.org
February 7, 2025 at 8:03 AM
🎆WELCOME TO SAUDI! But not to the World Cup watch party!
Journalist @aselliaas.bsky.social and his colleague were subjected to absurd runarounds when they tried to get access to the tent where Saudi Arabia was presenting its bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034 👇
www.playthegame.org/news/welcome...
Journalist @aselliaas.bsky.social and his colleague were subjected to absurd runarounds when they tried to get access to the tent where Saudi Arabia was presenting its bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034 👇
www.playthegame.org/news/welcome...
Reposted
New at Bounces: An in-depth interview with the woman who broke the silence around Alexander Zverev during the #AusOpen trophy ceremony with five words:
"Australia believes Olya and Brenda"
Free to read for all, but please do subscribe:
www.benrothenberg.com/p/alexander-...
"Australia believes Olya and Brenda"
Free to read for all, but please do subscribe:
www.benrothenberg.com/p/alexander-...
Echoes of a Voice
An interview with the woman who broke the silence around Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open.
www.benrothenberg.com
January 28, 2025 at 7:40 AM
New at Bounces: An in-depth interview with the woman who broke the silence around Alexander Zverev during the #AusOpen trophy ceremony with five words:
"Australia believes Olya and Brenda"
Free to read for all, but please do subscribe:
www.benrothenberg.com/p/alexander-...
"Australia believes Olya and Brenda"
Free to read for all, but please do subscribe:
www.benrothenberg.com/p/alexander-...
Reposted
At Bounces overnight, I wrote about how many folks here at the #AusOpen —and many more at home—are left waiting to exhale as Alexander Zverev remains in contention.
www.benrothenberg.com/p/australian...
www.benrothenberg.com/p/australian...
January 25, 2025 at 2:28 AM
At Bounces overnight, I wrote about how many folks here at the #AusOpen —and many more at home—are left waiting to exhale as Alexander Zverev remains in contention.
www.benrothenberg.com/p/australian...
www.benrothenberg.com/p/australian...
Reposted
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
Only neurotypicals seem to say things like 'I can be a bit on the spectrum' as an excuse for bad conduct.
Besides, autists not being empathetic has been somewhat debunked. Studies show some autists simply don't know how to *express* the empathy they feel. Also: many autists suffer from hyper-empathy
Besides, autists not being empathetic has been somewhat debunked. Studies show some autists simply don't know how to *express* the empathy they feel. Also: many autists suffer from hyper-empathy
People SERIOUSLY need to stop using neurodivergence as an excuse for being a cunt. It's grotesque.
December 9, 2024 at 8:11 AM
Only neurotypicals seem to say things like 'I can be a bit on the spectrum' as an excuse for bad conduct.
Besides, autists not being empathetic has been somewhat debunked. Studies show some autists simply don't know how to *express* the empathy they feel. Also: many autists suffer from hyper-empathy
Besides, autists not being empathetic has been somewhat debunked. Studies show some autists simply don't know how to *express* the empathy they feel. Also: many autists suffer from hyper-empathy
I just finished reading this book. Beautiful tribute to a team I wish I saw and heard about from my two grandparents who were born in Manchester. Definitely recommend you give it a try
December 9, 2024 at 8:16 AM
I just finished reading this book. Beautiful tribute to a team I wish I saw and heard about from my two grandparents who were born in Manchester. Definitely recommend you give it a try
Reposted
FIFA release bid evaluation reports for 2030 & 2034 World Cup❗️
❇️Saudia Arabia’s 2034 bid with a score of 419.8/500
❇️ ‘medium risk’ on human rights - WC has to good potential to contribute to positive human rights impacts
❇️’low risk’ on sustainability commitment & environmental protection
❇️Saudia Arabia’s 2034 bid with a score of 419.8/500
❇️ ‘medium risk’ on human rights - WC has to good potential to contribute to positive human rights impacts
❇️’low risk’ on sustainability commitment & environmental protection
November 30, 2024 at 5:27 AM
FIFA release bid evaluation reports for 2030 & 2034 World Cup❗️
❇️Saudia Arabia’s 2034 bid with a score of 419.8/500
❇️ ‘medium risk’ on human rights - WC has to good potential to contribute to positive human rights impacts
❇️’low risk’ on sustainability commitment & environmental protection
❇️Saudia Arabia’s 2034 bid with a score of 419.8/500
❇️ ‘medium risk’ on human rights - WC has to good potential to contribute to positive human rights impacts
❇️’low risk’ on sustainability commitment & environmental protection
Reposted
BlueSky friends!
I'm giving away a signed copy of my new book 'GETTING OUT: The Ukrainian Cricket Team's Last Stand on the Front Lines of War' 🇺🇦🏏
For a chance to win:
– Repost this post;
– Follow me and @ukrainecricket.bsky.social.
I'll draw a winner on Sunday 1 December.
I'm giving away a signed copy of my new book 'GETTING OUT: The Ukrainian Cricket Team's Last Stand on the Front Lines of War' 🇺🇦🏏
For a chance to win:
– Repost this post;
– Follow me and @ukrainecricket.bsky.social.
I'll draw a winner on Sunday 1 December.
November 17, 2024 at 2:25 PM
BlueSky friends!
I'm giving away a signed copy of my new book 'GETTING OUT: The Ukrainian Cricket Team's Last Stand on the Front Lines of War' 🇺🇦🏏
For a chance to win:
– Repost this post;
– Follow me and @ukrainecricket.bsky.social.
I'll draw a winner on Sunday 1 December.
I'm giving away a signed copy of my new book 'GETTING OUT: The Ukrainian Cricket Team's Last Stand on the Front Lines of War' 🇺🇦🏏
For a chance to win:
– Repost this post;
– Follow me and @ukrainecricket.bsky.social.
I'll draw a winner on Sunday 1 December.
I am very much enjoying watching football as a fan again this A-League season.
Also big shoutout to the SCG trust/Sydney FC for having a sensory room at Allianz Stadium. Step in the right direction 👊
Also big shoutout to the SCG trust/Sydney FC for having a sensory room at Allianz Stadium. Step in the right direction 👊
November 24, 2024 at 2:20 AM
I am very much enjoying watching football as a fan again this A-League season.
Also big shoutout to the SCG trust/Sydney FC for having a sensory room at Allianz Stadium. Step in the right direction 👊
Also big shoutout to the SCG trust/Sydney FC for having a sensory room at Allianz Stadium. Step in the right direction 👊
Reposted
I spent most of 2024 traveling around the U.S. and Central America hanging out with gamblers, bookies, politicians, even CEOs and casino bosses, trying to learn about sports betting from every perspective. I wrote 10,000 words about it for Rolling Stone. www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
Is the $11 Billion Online Sportsbook Bubble About to Burst?
From Vegas to the black market, gambling companies have taken over sports. Inside a billion-dollar industry that could be on the bubble
www.rollingstone.com
November 18, 2024 at 3:18 PM
I spent most of 2024 traveling around the U.S. and Central America hanging out with gamblers, bookies, politicians, even CEOs and casino bosses, trying to learn about sports betting from every perspective. I wrote 10,000 words about it for Rolling Stone. www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
Reposted
With football Twitter rapidly reassembling here, one plea to help leave the toxicity behind: your football club is not a person. It doesn't have feelings, it doesn't experience disrespect. Love your club by all means, but recognise that it does not need you to fight for its honour on social media.
November 14, 2024 at 7:54 PM
With football Twitter rapidly reassembling here, one plea to help leave the toxicity behind: your football club is not a person. It doesn't have feelings, it doesn't experience disrespect. Love your club by all means, but recognise that it does not need you to fight for its honour on social media.