Ashley de Marchena ☕️
@ashleydemarchena.bsky.social
Faculty @ AJ Drexel Autism Institute | Communication researcher | Early autism diagnosis clinician and researcher | Parent | Philadelphian | Cheese lover
“It is impossible to say just what I mean!” -The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock (TS Elliot)
“It is impossible to say just what I mean!” -The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock (TS Elliot)
Reposted by Ashley de Marchena ☕️
CDC’s New Autism Webpage Distorts Science and Rejects Decades of Evidence on Vaccine Safety autismsciencefoundation.org/press_releas...
CDC’s New Autism Webpage Distorts Science and Rejects Decades of Evidence on Vaccine Safety - Autism Science Foundation
NEW YORK, NY (November 20, 2025) We are appalled to find that the content on the CDC webpage “Autism and Vaccines” has been changed and distorted, and is now filled with anti-vaccine rhetoric and outr...
autismsciencefoundation.org
November 20, 2025 at 10:41 PM
CDC’s New Autism Webpage Distorts Science and Rejects Decades of Evidence on Vaccine Safety autismsciencefoundation.org/press_releas...
Reposted by Ashley de Marchena ☕️
"If he had so little ability to distance himself from Jeffrey Epstein even after all that was publicly known about Epstein's sex offenses involving underage girls, then Summers cannot… teach a generation of students at Harvard or anywhere else." - @warren.senate.gov
www.cnn.com/2025/11/17/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/17/p...
November 18, 2025 at 4:32 AM
"If he had so little ability to distance himself from Jeffrey Epstein even after all that was publicly known about Epstein's sex offenses involving underage girls, then Summers cannot… teach a generation of students at Harvard or anywhere else." - @warren.senate.gov
www.cnn.com/2025/11/17/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/17/p...
I'm surprised at how many people in my network don't know about the case of Robert Roberson, an autistic father scheduled to be executed next week for a crime that never happened. Please join me in speaking up against this. It's not too late to exonerate him! innocenceproject.org/cases/robert...
Robert Roberson - Innocence Project
Robert Roberson faces execution on Oct. 16, 2025 for a crime he did not commit. Read key facts about the case and act to stop this injustice.
innocenceproject.org
October 9, 2025 at 12:26 PM
I'm surprised at how many people in my network don't know about the case of Robert Roberson, an autistic father scheduled to be executed next week for a crime that never happened. Please join me in speaking up against this. It's not too late to exonerate him! innocenceproject.org/cases/robert...
Reposted by Ashley de Marchena ☕️
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
nyti.ms
October 8, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
Reposted by Ashley de Marchena ☕️
I have been trying to get this published as an op-ed, but I am going to post it here since I think it is timely in light of the "consent" extortion events.
Deafening Quiet from the Scientific Establishment
jeremymberg.github.io/jeremyberg.g...
1/14
Deafening Quiet from the Scientific Establishment
jeremymberg.github.io/jeremyberg.g...
1/14
jeremymberg.github.io
October 6, 2025 at 11:28 PM
I have been trying to get this published as an op-ed, but I am going to post it here since I think it is timely in light of the "consent" extortion events.
Deafening Quiet from the Scientific Establishment
jeremymberg.github.io/jeremyberg.g...
1/14
Deafening Quiet from the Scientific Establishment
jeremymberg.github.io/jeremyberg.g...
1/14
Reposted by Ashley de Marchena ☕️
Shared how the greater shutdown of NIH science has been underway since January on @msnbc.com today.
We need Congress to stand firm to protect science, democracy and the American people.
www.msnbc.com/katy-tur/wat...
We need Congress to stand firm to protect science, democracy and the American people.
www.msnbc.com/katy-tur/wat...
Furloughed NIH worker: Left office with 'pit' in my stomach about future of our country
On day three of the government shutdown, around 750,000 federal employees are furloughed as the White House threatens mass firings as early as today. Furloughed NIH Program Director Jenna Norton joins...
www.msnbc.com
October 4, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Shared how the greater shutdown of NIH science has been underway since January on @msnbc.com today.
We need Congress to stand firm to protect science, democracy and the American people.
www.msnbc.com/katy-tur/wat...
We need Congress to stand firm to protect science, democracy and the American people.
www.msnbc.com/katy-tur/wat...
Reposted by Ashley de Marchena ☕️
General reminder that people who engage in political assassinations often have pretty muddled world views.
September 10, 2025 at 7:21 PM
General reminder that people who engage in political assassinations often have pretty muddled world views.
Reposted by Ashley de Marchena ☕️
BREAKING: Robert F. Kennedy Jr poised to surpass gun violence as leading cause of death among American children.
August 28, 2025 at 3:48 PM
BREAKING: Robert F. Kennedy Jr poised to surpass gun violence as leading cause of death among American children.
Reposted by Ashley de Marchena ☕️
The pretexts for these paramilitary takeovers don’t matter
They’re lies
Don’t buy into their narrative
They’re normalizing military takeovers
That should be the opposing narrative, not crime rates which let them steer the conversation
WE should steer it
What they’re doing is unacceptable
Period
They’re lies
Don’t buy into their narrative
They’re normalizing military takeovers
That should be the opposing narrative, not crime rates which let them steer the conversation
WE should steer it
What they’re doing is unacceptable
Period
August 16, 2025 at 9:40 PM
The pretexts for these paramilitary takeovers don’t matter
They’re lies
Don’t buy into their narrative
They’re normalizing military takeovers
That should be the opposing narrative, not crime rates which let them steer the conversation
WE should steer it
What they’re doing is unacceptable
Period
They’re lies
Don’t buy into their narrative
They’re normalizing military takeovers
That should be the opposing narrative, not crime rates which let them steer the conversation
WE should steer it
What they’re doing is unacceptable
Period
Want to be a better communication partner for the autistic adults in your life? Here are some of our top recommendations:
⏳ Allow time for processing.
🗣️ Focus on explicit communication.
🔍 Check in for understanding.
📏 Use direct, concrete language.
💬 Offer alternatives such as writing.
⏳ Allow time for processing.
🗣️ Focus on explicit communication.
🔍 Check in for understanding.
📏 Use direct, concrete language.
💬 Offer alternatives such as writing.
New Research Recommendations for Supporting Autistic Adults to Ensure Their Communication Success
To better understand the communication difficulties experienced by autistic adults and help the clinicians and researchers who have autistic people in their lives, researchers from Drexel University’s...
drexel.edu
August 15, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Want to be a better communication partner for the autistic adults in your life? Here are some of our top recommendations:
⏳ Allow time for processing.
🗣️ Focus on explicit communication.
🔍 Check in for understanding.
📏 Use direct, concrete language.
💬 Offer alternatives such as writing.
⏳ Allow time for processing.
🗣️ Focus on explicit communication.
🔍 Check in for understanding.
📏 Use direct, concrete language.
💬 Offer alternatives such as writing.
Reposted by Ashley de Marchena ☕️
IMPORTANT UPDATE IMPORTANT UPDATE
Regarding APHU/ACLU et al. vs. NIH Lawsuit
Regarding APHU/ACLU et al. vs. NIH Lawsuit
a cartoon of a man and a dog with the words now 's the time for action written on the bottom
ALT: a cartoon of a man and a dog with the words now 's the time for action written on the bottom
media.tenor.com
July 30, 2025 at 11:23 PM
IMPORTANT UPDATE IMPORTANT UPDATE
Regarding APHU/ACLU et al. vs. NIH Lawsuit
Regarding APHU/ACLU et al. vs. NIH Lawsuit
Thanks for sharing our work, @thinkingautism.com!
On communicating: Research shows it works best when EVERYONE is more considerate, for example sharing & accommodating communication modes even if alternative, and double-checking to see if a message was understood—instead of making assumptions. Holly Radford et al:
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
“There is just too much going on there”: Nonverbal communication experiences of autistic adults
Background Atypical nonverbal communication is required for a diagnosis of autism, yet little is known about how autistic adults use gestures, facial expressions, and other nonverbal behaviours in soc...
journals.plos.org
July 27, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Thanks for sharing our work, @thinkingautism.com!
@michaelhobbes.bsky.social @notalawyer.bsky.social @ifbookspod.bsky.social
My son turned 14 today so of course we had to gift him an AI-generated “we deserve this cheese” poster. AI was not especially cooperative, but that made it all the more enjoyable.
My son turned 14 today so of course we had to gift him an AI-generated “we deserve this cheese” poster. AI was not especially cooperative, but that made it all the more enjoyable.
July 16, 2025 at 12:26 PM
@michaelhobbes.bsky.social @notalawyer.bsky.social @ifbookspod.bsky.social
My son turned 14 today so of course we had to gift him an AI-generated “we deserve this cheese” poster. AI was not especially cooperative, but that made it all the more enjoyable.
My son turned 14 today so of course we had to gift him an AI-generated “we deserve this cheese” poster. AI was not especially cooperative, but that made it all the more enjoyable.
Thank you @thinkingautism.com for highlighting our new study on nonverbal communication experiences of autistic adults!
This one was an absolute treat to work on.
With Holly Radford, @drstevenkapp.bsky.social, and Bronte Reidinger
This one was an absolute treat to work on.
With Holly Radford, @drstevenkapp.bsky.social, and Bronte Reidinger
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 15, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Thank you @thinkingautism.com for highlighting our new study on nonverbal communication experiences of autistic adults!
This one was an absolute treat to work on.
With Holly Radford, @drstevenkapp.bsky.social, and Bronte Reidinger
This one was an absolute treat to work on.
With Holly Radford, @drstevenkapp.bsky.social, and Bronte Reidinger
@jamestrujillo.bsky.social took us on a post-conference joy ride around the canals of Utrecht! Way better than a Zoom meeting and especially great spending time together after catching up on all of his great work at @isgs2025.bsky.social!
A couple of days late to post this, but this is one of the great things about in person conferences: getting to hang out with people in very different, non-work settings! Had a great time on Sunday canoeing in Utrecht with @ashleydemarchena.bsky.social , who is normally only see on Zoom!
July 15, 2025 at 6:41 PM
@jamestrujillo.bsky.social took us on a post-conference joy ride around the canals of Utrecht! Way better than a Zoom meeting and especially great spending time together after catching up on all of his great work at @isgs2025.bsky.social!
Our new review explores how autistic adults experience & express communication – and how environments & partners shape that. We spotlight AAC, nonverbals, double empathy, & more. Plus: practical tips for clinicians & researchers to be better communication partners and allies.
#autism #research
#autism #research
Communication in Autistic Adults: An Action-Focused Review - Current Psychiatry Reports
Purpose of Review This review focuses on recent research (primarily published between 2020–2024) describing unique aspects of communication in autistic adults. We review research on communication-rela...
link.springer.com
June 23, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Reposted by Ashley de Marchena ☕️
A Dem lawmaker and her husband were killed by a guy for their political views and it’s already out of the news.
June 21, 2025 at 11:05 PM
A Dem lawmaker and her husband were killed by a guy for their political views and it’s already out of the news.
I signed!
What does 18,000+ brave signatories look like standing together in massive solidarity with the #NIH heroes of the historic Bethesda Declaration??...
Find out by adding YOUR NAME to our #NIHLove letter here! -
actionnetwork.org/forms/add-na...
#StandUpForScience
#BethesdaDeclaration
#StopTrump
Find out by adding YOUR NAME to our #NIHLove letter here! -
actionnetwork.org/forms/add-na...
#StandUpForScience
#BethesdaDeclaration
#StopTrump
ADD YOUR NAME: Sign the Open Letter in Support of NIH Staff
Join the courageous and committed National Institutes of Health (NIH) public servants by adding your name now.
actionnetwork.org
June 11, 2025 at 10:28 PM
I signed!
Reposted by Ashley de Marchena ☕️
Seems a good time to invite Sen Britt to watch an NIH review panel (aka study section) analyze piles of grants over several days to identify the <10% that win funding. Applications that scientists spent months preparing, whose peers spent weeks poring through in advance of review mtg at NIH.
Republican Senator Katie Britt: We need to create a system "where the beat idea wins... This is our opportunity to make a dollar go further and to make it have a greater impact."
(NIH already generates $2.56 for every $1 spent it spends on research.)
(NIH already generates $2.56 for every $1 spent it spends on research.)
June 10, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Seems a good time to invite Sen Britt to watch an NIH review panel (aka study section) analyze piles of grants over several days to identify the <10% that win funding. Applications that scientists spent months preparing, whose peers spent weeks poring through in advance of review mtg at NIH.
Reposted by Ashley de Marchena ☕️
So then Elon goes "Kill the Bill!" and Trump goes "Elon has TDS!" so Elon goes "I'm the reason Trump won!" so Trump goes "we waste billions on Elon!" so Elon goes "Epstein!" and a corpulent flunkie goes "Deport Elon!" and Elon goes "Impeach!"
And THAT'S why women are too emotional to be President.
And THAT'S why women are too emotional to be President.
June 6, 2025 at 3:33 AM
So then Elon goes "Kill the Bill!" and Trump goes "Elon has TDS!" so Elon goes "I'm the reason Trump won!" so Trump goes "we waste billions on Elon!" so Elon goes "Epstein!" and a corpulent flunkie goes "Deport Elon!" and Elon goes "Impeach!"
And THAT'S why women are too emotional to be President.
And THAT'S why women are too emotional to be President.
Reposted by Ashley de Marchena ☕️
We need 3.5% of the population to get and make their voices heard on June 14th. That’s 230,000 per state with CA and NY augmenting WY and the Dakotas. We can do this! PS. Canada, we need your help!!!!
June 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM
We need 3.5% of the population to get and make their voices heard on June 14th. That’s 230,000 per state with CA and NY augmenting WY and the Dakotas. We can do this! PS. Canada, we need your help!!!!
Scientist and science-loving friends: urgent call to action!
REMINDER.....REMINDER......REMINDER
3 DAYS LEFT TO COMMENT ON SCHEDULE F
1/n
3 DAYS LEFT TO COMMENT ON SCHEDULE F
1/n
gumball and anais from the amazing world of gumball are sitting at a table
ALT: gumball and anais from the amazing world of gumball are sitting at a table
media.tenor.com
May 21, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Scientist and science-loving friends: urgent call to action!
Reposted by Ashley de Marchena ☕️
Anyone who says they’re tough on crime but have no intention of being tough on poverty doesn’t really care about crime.
May 17, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Anyone who says they’re tough on crime but have no intention of being tough on poverty doesn’t really care about crime.
Same here - invested decades to become a high impact autism researcher and encouraged my husband’s career change into pediatric cancer biology… whoops.
Both the hubs & my work depend on gov't funding & will run out at the end of May. Neither of us are optimistic that our agencies will renew the previously allotted $$ under this admin. Never would I have thought that NASA engineer & NIH-funded physician-researcher would be bad career choices. Sigh.
May 8, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Same here - invested decades to become a high impact autism researcher and encouraged my husband’s career change into pediatric cancer biology… whoops.
Reposted by Ashley de Marchena ☕️
Both the hubs & my work depend on gov't funding & will run out at the end of May. Neither of us are optimistic that our agencies will renew the previously allotted $$ under this admin. Never would I have thought that NASA engineer & NIH-funded physician-researcher would be bad career choices. Sigh.
May 8, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Both the hubs & my work depend on gov't funding & will run out at the end of May. Neither of us are optimistic that our agencies will renew the previously allotted $$ under this admin. Never would I have thought that NASA engineer & NIH-funded physician-researcher would be bad career choices. Sigh.