With a focus on Peel Region (Ontario, Canada), PAR is an online resource providing information about autism, Special Education, government programs & community supports. Skeets are my own https://linktr.ee/Peel_Autism_Resource
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"Not unlike other forms of prejudice, ableism is deeply embedded in educational frameworks and practices...." Read "The Problem with Ableism" in @canteachmag.bsky.social (pages 16-17) canadianteachermagazine.com/issues/2022/... #OntEd #inclusion #autism #disability #neurodiversity
Textbooks tend to describe autism negatively, which is NOT GREAT as these books "often play a large part in shaping the perspectives & knowledge of future educators & practitioners." Time to re-evaluate such materials & create more inclusive, supportive environments. www.ualberta.ca/en/folio/202...
Latest in the blog: A list of upcoming virtual and in-person autism-related events in September for Peel region and GTA peelautismresourceblog.wordpress.com/2025/08/31/u... #autism #Mississauga #Brampton #PeelRegion #Ontario #OAP #workshops
What is #autism? Dr. Lucas Harrington shares his insights. #autismawareness #autismacceptance #specialeducation #inclusionmatters
"Functioning is fluid, and functioning labels harm Autistic people & promote ableism. They deny agency to those of us deemed low functioning & they deny support to those of us who are considered high functioning. THEY NEED TO GO" shorturl.at/r0SaO #autism #neurodiversity
C/W: abuse, death "We nonspeaking autistics are often treated as disposable pieces of humanity-people who, it is imagined, do not suffer like other human beings." #autism #neurodiversity #AutismAcceptance
After School Restraint Collapse happens because your child has been busy managing their emotions all day as they navigate the complexities of school Home is their safe space to let it all out shorturl.at/xnm7M #OntEd #autism #neurodiversity #parenting #childhood #ChildDevelopment #dysregulation
Autistic humans are tired of being called “inspirational” when we suffer or mask until we pass out, and “difficult” and “selfish” when we set limits and boundaries.
Watch the 5MM episode here. There are also links to supplemental resources fivemooreminutes.com/people-are-n... #OntEd #inclusion #autism #EduSky
".. it is essential to clarify that EAs themselves are not the support; rather, they can be supportive agents within the educational framework (Bennett et al., 2021; Gibson et al., 2015" If you don't do podcasts, can watch on YouTube here www.youtube.com/watch?v=882d... #OntEd #inclusion #autism
Less than 1% of autism research has focused on older autistic people.
The unique health problems that autistic people face as they age
Secluding autistic students isn't due to lack of therapy or lack of staff It's due to ableism It's due to not being trauma-informed & neuro-affirming It's an outdated, horrific practice that has no place in ON schools #OntEd #EduSky #autism #EndSeclusion
From PDA North America: PDA-related rticles and insights from various contributors from across the world pdanorthamerica.org/insights/5/ #PDA #autism
Parents of autistic/ND children - If you haven't already done so, make an "All About Me" for your child's teacher www.wondertreepractice.ca/post/all-abo... #OntEd #autism
"'Just try harder' ignores the mechanisms driving autistic inertia and leaves many feeling frustrated, misunderstood, and exhausted." www.psychologicalscience.org/publications... #autism #neurodiversity
Books about autism or with Autistic main characters, written by Autistic authors — published August 2025! 🧵 #AutismBooks #AutisticAuthor #Autism #Autistic #ActuallyAutistic #BookSky
SO MUCH needs to change. It's beyond just putting more money in. Need a paradigm shift Schools were not set up for inclusion long before Ford Training, class sizes, policies, guidelines, ATTITUDES, etc all have to change The SYSTEM needs a drastic overhaul 2/2 #OntEd #ONpoli #autism
Until ON schools become trauma-informed & neuro-affirming, autistic & ND students will struggle. No matter how many staff there are As long as seclusion & restraint are permitted, and guidelines/policies are based on outdated behaviourist methods, students aren't safe 1/2 #OntEd #ONpoli #autism
Exploring how monotropism shapes Autistic, ADHD & AuDHD attention. Dispelling myths, uncovering research & why neuroaffirming support matters for our wellbeing. https://autisticrealms.com/monotropism-vs-polytropism-adhd-audhd-autistic-attention/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
Autistic burnout is a whole-body state of collapse. It impairs executive function, motivation, memory, sensory tolerance, and communication. It is not “just exhaustion.” It is neurological depletion.
Not sure anything could be done since the system itself isn't neuro-affirming. Training & policies have to change drastically. School kept placing neurotypical expectations on him so he was forced to mask which led to burnout One time the VP told me his meltdown "inconvenienced" the other students
Perhaps all the school boards should be audited? But agree that removing trustees may be going too far Although, full disclosure, I removed my child from school a year ago due to ongoing issues. Never received a reply from our trustee when I reached out about the lack of support at school
Believe you're correct. No financial indiscretions but unable to balance their budget www.ontario.ca/page/toronto...
“We essentially want to soothe stress behaviour rather than punish it.” - Dr. Stuart Shanker & Co. 💝 #SelfReg [🔗 self-reg.ca]
This might be the reason why TVDSB was taken over. Can't speak to the other boards shorturl.at/mmUkG #OntEd #ONpoli
Building further on Tanya Adkins concept of lilipadding, here is an article on nesting as the physical architecture of lilipads. www.davidgrayhammond.co.uk/p/autistic-n... #ActuallyAutistic #autism #Autistic #lilipadding #AutisticBurnout
School attendance doesn't matter if safety & mental health are compromised Forcing autistic & ND kids to school thru coercion, bribes & rewards breaks trust They need gentle transitions & schools willing to meet them where they're at #OntEd #autism #neurodiversity #EduSky
Autistic kids "refusing" to go to school aren't seeking attention, manipulating you or throwing a tantrum Their nervous systems are overwhelmed & are telling them they're not safe They need support & understanding - not condemnation or discipline #autism #OntEd
Resources on how to talk to young people about Autism, neurodiversity and/or being Autistic in ways that are respectful and validating icannetwork.online/talking-abou... #autism #AutismAcceptance #neurodiversity
Being Black & autistic means your pain is dismissed, your needs are ignored & your meltdowns are criminalized. Intersectionality isn’t just theory… it’s lived in every diagnosis & every missed opportunity ✨
If your “accessible” shul says “if we make this accommodation for you, we’ll have to do it for everyone” - that’s not inclusion, it’s avoidance. Access isn’t about making exceptions. It’s about reshaping the space so everyone actually belongs.
It's feeling really rough out there at the moment, and advocacy feels like it's getting tougher every day. I wanted to share some love #FromTheArchives with all the online (and IRL) advocates. autisticltd.co.uk/2023/06/09/a...
A blog article I wrote up for my publisher on figuring out why my language development was different to other people. #Autistic blog.jkp.com/2025/08/auti...
Here's our Autism and Sleep Guide we created a year ago, and reviewed by @thesleepcharity.bsky.social ! drive.google.com/file/d/1MAP2...
My research, "‘It's Really Who They Are and What They Want’: Staff Perspectives on Supporting Autonomy for Autistic Adults With Intellectual Disabilities", has been published! Read it here: doi.org/10.1111/jar.... #publishedarticle @wileyinresearch
The criminalization Of Black Autistic Behavior 👨🏽🦱👩🏽🦱
PSA… Stimming and a preference for routine are NOT problematic behaviours They’re natural, valid ways that many neurodivergent people regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, and navigate a world that often feels overwhelming #AutismAwareness
This insightful post by @kieranrose.bsky.social is essential reading for anyone involved in supporting/researching eating or ARFID in autistic folk theautisticadvocate.com/reclaiming-a.... A reminder to challenge your own assumptions/values/biases + remain curious as to how others experience food.
There is a new life after Autistic Burnout, and this concept forms the framework on which we build our path there. Here is lilipadding for Autistic burnout. emergentdivergence.com/2025/08/27/l... #AutisticBurnout #lilipadding #AutisticBurnoutRecovery #MonotropicSplit #MentalHealth
New Blog & Free Download are Up! "When it comes to supporting a PDAer, traditional ideas around respect and authority often backfire. Because our traditional approach to ‘respect’ may be rooted in power and control, not connection." open.substack.com/pub/laurahel... #education #SEN #PDA
Navigating family messaging: Qualitative experiences of Black caregivers of children with autism
The questionable label #profoundAutism has "limited scientific validity and feasibility in everyday practice [as] the term describes autistics whose limited speech or verbal IQ has caused many to underestimate their communication & intelligence." www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13... #neurodiversity #autism
From Reframing Autism: an 'About Me' downloadable template for parents to complete for their child's new teacher Full blog post here tinyurl.com/35mtz5f2 #autism #OntEd #EduSky #BackToSchool
From @autsciperson.bsky.social A Guide to Understanding Your Autistic Child autisticscienceperson.com/2021/01/05/a... #autism #AutismAcceptance #neurodiversity
Explore my idea for SPACE-TIME, a neuroaffirming framework rooted in monotropism, for education, healthcare, and workplaces to open up community discussion about what Autistic care and support could look like. autisticrealms.com/space-time-a...
CJAE is seeking original artwork by Canadian autistic artists for the cover of its 2026 issue. Deadline: October 1, 2025 at 11:59 PM For more information : mulpress.mcmaster.ca/cjae/announc...
"While it’s undeniable that additional resources & staff would enhance our ability to support learning needs, the essence of inclusion often requires no financial investment at all" jennscharf.com/beyond-integ... #OntEd #EduSky #inclusion #autism #neurodiversity
#autism #AutismAcceptance #neurodiversity #disability #education #OntEd #school #pedagogy #EduSky #BackToSchool
It's vital that schools understand & accept that neurodiverse students need to move in order to focus; and to not place neurotypical expectations on them #OntEd #autism #neurodiversity
Educators! Children do when they can No one chooses to meltdown. It's a neurological response to stress & overwhelm. The solution should not be to punish or exclude. Have to figure out what supports the child needs #autism #OntEd #OAP #EduSky #ONpoli
'Over time, the effort of masking can accumulate, leading to a state of emotional and physical exhaustion known as "restraint collapse."' Read more here www.neurodivergentconsultant.org/blog/inllk12... #autism #neurodiversity
Brain wirings + operating systems on the Substack today: occuplaytionaltherapist.substack.com/p/apple-andr...
‘School distress’ describes the extreme emotional turmoil of children who struggle to attend school researchfeatures.com/children-fro... #autism #neurodiversity #OntEd #EduSky
Parents - Diagnosis alone does not indicate needs Diagnosis alone doesn't merit EA support When speaking to the school about possible accommodations, be specific about your child's needs & abilities #OntEd #autism #neurodiversity #disability
"There is an ever-growing need to support neurodivergent drivers through fleet strategy. Teodora Byrne, fines executive at Fleet Service GB – and founder of SENDwise Hub – explains why." fleetworld.co.uk/think-outsid... #neurodiversity #autism
In this week’s edition of Update Friday, explore our Special Education Guide, learn about 'The Truths of Institutionalization,' and more. Read the full edition: bit.ly/UF-Aug-29-2025 Sign up to our newsletter: bit.ly/3iTcwDX
Did you know that Lexi Jones is autistic? “I recently saw an autism evaluator and received a formal diagnosis. […] Hearing that out loud did not change who I am. It gave me a name to the experience I have spent my whole life trying to understand.” www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-bo... #neurodiversity
Ok! However someone just recently told me on another post not to put FB links because the reason they're on Bluesky is because they left FB So I can share links from your IG instead then, if that's alright?
Misreading autism as aggression gets Black people hurt 😞 a meltdown isn’t a threat, stimming isn’t defiance but for Black autistic people, these can trigger restraint, arrest or worse MURDER we need to protect Black autistic lives ♾️
Functioning labels, like mild/moderate/severe, or low and high functioning are not helpful What to do instead? ⭐ Normalise support needs ⭐ Stop arguing about who is Autistic enough to need support ⭐ Be mindful that support needs may change over time #autism #OntEd #EduSky #neurodiversity
"I wish someone had explained that when Mike was making loud noises or moving his body in ways that looked disruptive, his nervous system was telling me something crucial about his regulation state." shorturl.at/DPvrt #autism #OntEd #EduSky
Teachers - ▶️Presume competence ▶️Recognize stimming as regulation not a behaviour to stop ▶️Honour all forms of communication ▶️Adapt the environment to meet sensory needs ▶️Never force eye contact ▶️Encourage autonomy through choice ▶️Celebrate deep interests ▶️Learn from autistic voices #OntEd #autism
Misbehaviour or stress behaviour? 🤔 Reframing helps us tell the difference—and respond with insight, not instinct. Get the visual breakdown in the infographic and download it here: buff.ly/Gy8gVUa ✨
Non-autistics, please allow autistics "sufficient processing time for both comprehension and production, respect communication preferences (e.g., for written communication), & trust their words even when their nonverbals appear to be sending a conflicting signal." journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
Worth noting... autistic people can get more rigid about their likes and preferences over time as they learn and figure out that the things they don't "like" actually cause them distress. This includes people, btw.
Ways to remove barriers for your autistic students( hint: their autism is not the barrier) #EduSky
![Against a purple background with colourful Reframing Autism knotwork logos in the top left and bottom righthand corners there is a text box titled Supporting Autistic Learners. Beneath are two columns. Under the one titled 'What I find hard' are bullet points listing: * Feeling disconnected from or criticised by my teacher * Being rushed to finish my work or not finishing * Being asked a question and put on the spot to reply * Having my questions dismissed or shut down * Being given work that is above or below my capability * Unfair expectations and no accommodations * Having my focus disrupted by students talking * Overwhelming sensory or emotional experiences. Beneath a column titled 'What can help' are bullet points listing: * Feeling safe, connected and supported * Time to finish my work before I move on * Extra time to process information and respond * Being able to ask lots of questions as they arise * Using technology to support my learning * Having regular one-on-one check-ins * Having step-by-step instructions in view * Knowing the real-world relevance of content * Being given the reason for unexpected changes * Learning that draws on my passions * Sudden changes with no obvious reason for them. The Reframing Autism logo is on bottom left.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:75lgjpsne4ryhfwdbu4zt47h/bafkreibhsusj3hqdsaiz2bmfsvvobxs6lsgejmoy62oc4e23ipxzxmjqae@jpeg "Click to view full size")
Blanket behavior policies don’t ‘manage’ behavior—they erase disabled children’s needs. Children deserve equity, not restraint and seclusion. It’s time to dismantle policies that harm. #AgainstRestraint
Tips for Online Meetings with AAC Users, by AAC users from @communicationfirst.bsky.social Make a difference and support so everyone's voice can be heard @communicationfirst.bsky.social communicationfirst.org/best-practic...
Blasko, Light, McNaughton, Williams & Zimmerman: "people who need or use AAC must be leaders and co-creators in all activities that are about them or impact them" Free at AAC journal doi.org/10.1080/0743... @communicationfirst.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social
On our blog, Lucy Powrie reflects on growing up without seeing herself in stories, the challenges she faced, & how writing became both healing & empowering. Her new book, "Real When I'm With You", gives autistic girls the representation she wished she’d had. https://bit.ly/LPblogpost
From @blueskylearning.bsky.social: "Navigating Back to School as a Neurodivergent Student" www.blueskylearning.ca/post/navigat... #OntEd #EduSky #autism #neurodiversity
IS AUTISTIC SELF-IDENTIFICATION VALID? I just finished my dissertation comparing autistic traits in medically diagnosed vs. self-identified autistic adults. The result: no difference. Quelle surprise! But along the way, something MUCH more interesting happened... open.substack.com/pub/autistic...
Saw a mom blogger just comment in a thread that she's worked with "neuro-affirming & trauma informed BCBAs" who "did not use archaic compliance-based methods"🤔
Been in the Emergency Department for 12+ hours and I genuinely wish a neurotypical person could experience this - even just for a few hours It’s sensory hell: unpredictable machine beeping, bright lighting, noise from all directions… There has to be a better way for autistic people to access care
ndconnection.co.uk/blog/autism-... This month's research roundup, covering some of the most important/debate-worthy new research on autism, ADHD, dyslexia & dyspraxia etc. This monthly series is available from the website if you miss any, & supplements the research done elsewhere for Clinical teams.
NEW article: Dr Joanna Grace of The Sensory Projects explores the intersection of autism and profound & multiple learning disabilities, and explains why attempts to separate the spectrum can undermine everyone. jadefarrington.substack.com/p/spotlight-...
People seem to think that if an autistic person can speak, they must just be "quirky" or "socially anxious" We can still have violent meltdowns We can experience autistic burnout We can have shutdowns and struggle/lose the ability to speak What you see on the surface is just that - the surface
If you think an autistic person is "dense" because they asked you clarifying questions, I hate to break it to you, but they needed to ask follow up questions because you didn't explain yourself well enough. Not because they have comprehension issues. Hope that helps 🙃
Sitting still & making eye contact are not prerequisites to learning #OntEd #autism #neurodiversity #PresumeCompetence
"It's for their safety" "This wouldn't happen if they had access to therapy" "It's because we don't have the staff" None of these things justify the mistreatment of students #EndSeclusion #OntEd #autism
It is horrific how disabled, autistic and neurodivergent students are treated in school #OntEd #autism #disability #neurodiversity
📰 New #openaccess autism research "Many people suggested that mental health professionals need more training about autism, and that better funding is needed to help Autistic people access appropriate support." journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Autistic Burnout isn’t regression. It’s the bodymind slamming the brakes. It’s not failure. It’s refusal. A reset, a warning sign - stop, listen. The real danger isn’t burnout itself - it’s being forced back into the same conditions that caused it, or pushing ourselves there.
Further reading from @chrisbonnello.bsky.social: autisticnotweird.com/teaching/ autisticnotweird.com/building-rel... #OntEd #autism #SpecEd #EduSky
"Autistic students are not a problem to be fixed, but while deficit-based theories and methodologies dictate school practices, these students continue to have their identity suppressed and are unlikely to thrive." #autism #EduSky #OntEd #neurodiversity #inclusion
acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... Very useful but sobering new research by this fine team, on the upsetting experiences that autistic and ADHD young people endure in e.g. schools...and why the resulting distress/dysregulation isn't because of autism/ADHD.
Autism is not a behavioural disorder "The behaviour-centric view of autism is a root cause for much of, if not most of, the inaccessibility that plagues schools around the world for autistic students." speakingofautismcom.wordpress.com/2021/06/02/s... #OntEd #autism
"For a child who masks in school every demand will shake the metaphorical coke bottle...when the child is back in their safe space or even as soon as they leave the school environment the lid comes off & everything that was inside fizzes out sometimes quite explosively" shorturl.at/tHuWI #autism
From @doctormarcia.bsky.social "For most autistic children, school can be a toxic environment." www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ever... #OntEd #EduSky #autism
Seclusion shouldn't be permitted. It's outdated and traumatic There's so much ableism in Ontario schools #OntEd #autism #disability #neurodiversity
The week before school = peak stress. 😵💫📚 But what if we focused on co-regulation instead of chaos? This blog explores how small moments of support can make a big difference for educators and students alike: self-reg.ca/the-week-bef... 🚸💡 #BackToSchool #| SelfReg
RFK Jr. vowed to find environmental causes of autism, then ended research trying to do just that lailluminator.com/2025/08/20/a...
"For autistic people who are nonspeaking or have intermittent, unreliable, or insufficient speech, being denied access to augmentative & alternative communication (AAC) tools and supports that work for them results in a kind of complex trauma in & of itself." autismspectrumnews.org/can-being-de...
I appreciate your work very much and just want to make sure so that I can share it properly in the future.
FYI... Autistic people tend to think in complexities. Someone can ask us to do something seemingly straightforward, but our brains will often make it into something extremely complex and nuanced. We ask questions to untangle our thoughts.
Hi! My apologies. Do you mean not share the graphic? Just the FB link to the original post?
When "challenging behaviours" occur schools are quick to discipline even though they're the result of unmet needs Autistic students are not being difficult. They're having a difficult time But when it's framed as "violence" it implies the child has to change - not the environment they're in #OntEd
With practice, adults can become powerful co-regulators - helping children to eventually learn how to regulate their own emotions. It's a process. And there are many, many, many steps to this process. shorturl.at/xFmFE #SelfReg #CoRegulation #autism #neurodiversity
Neurodiversity-Affirming Approaches autismlittlelearners.com/neurodiversi... #autism #neurodiversity #OntEd
