Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics
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semascot.bsky.social
Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics
@semascot.bsky.social
1.5K followers 740 following 770 posts
We strive to improve understanding of being autistic from the various communities of the Global Majority.

www.sema.scot
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semascot.bsky.social
Today is World Cancer Day and at SEMA we cannot ignore who is being left behind. For Autistic people and those with learning disabilities, cancer care comes with extra barriers.

#WorldCancerDay #UnitedByUnique #Neurodiversity #LearningDisabilities #CancerAwareness #SEMA
A cream-coloured poster from SEMA (Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics) marking World Cancer Day, 4th Feb 2026. A purple cancer awareness ribbon is shown in front of a small globe at the centre. In the softly blurred background, two people are smiling together. The poster includes text explaining that people with learning disabilities are about half as likely to be referred for urgent cancer investigation even when showing red-flag symptoms, leading to later diagnosis and poorer outcomes, with many people with severe learning disabilities or Down syndrome dying within four years of diagnosis compared to nine years for others. The poster ends with the hashtag #ChangeNeedsAllOfUs and the website sema.scot.
February 4, 2026 at 2:30 PM
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At SEMA, we see how racism intersects with neurodivergence, culture, and faith. It shapes what people feel safe to say, how they are treated at work, and whether they are included in services, schools, or community spaces.

#ChangeNeedsAllOfUs
#RaceEqualityWeek
#SEMA
#RacialisedAutistics
#Scotland
A poster by SEMA (Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics) for Race Equality Week 2026, dated 2–8 February 2026. The background shows a diverse group of smiling people in soft focus. Overlaid text explains that being the only racialised autistic person in a room can risk dignity, safety, and employment, that daily microaggressions cause burnout and withdrawal, and that job security should mean respect, belief, and protection. It states that the harm is real and that the problem is systems protecting power rather than people. The poster ends with the message “racialised Autistic lives deserve better,” the hashtag “#ChangeNeedsAllOfUs,” and the website “sema.scot.”
February 3, 2026 at 2:31 PM
semascot.bsky.social
Last month, I ran a training with Rainbow Muslim Women Group, and going through the session afterwards some things really stuck with me.

Watch complete video here for my reflections: www.instagram.com/p/DULkR_mlJoz/

- @thendeducator.bsky.social

#DestigmatiseAutism #AutisticTrainer #Autism
sema.scot on Instagram: "Last month, I ran a training with Rainbow Muslim Women Group , and going through the session afterwards some things really stuck wi…"
Last month, I ran a training with Rainbow Muslim Women Group , and going through the session afterwards some things really stuck with me.• I felt appreciated and welcomed• I challenged them to Rethink what we call ‘normal’• There were moments of empathy and self-reflection• I Challenged the language we often take for granted• And hearing clearly that people want moreIt made me feel grateful and encouraged; grateful for everyone who showed up and shared honestly, and encouraged that these conversations really matter. It reminded me why I do this work and made me excited for what’s next.- Sofia#CommunityLearning #DestigmatiseAutism #AutisticTrainer #Autism
www.instagram.com
January 31, 2026 at 4:24 PM
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I delivered the introduction to community training sessions on 26th Dec and 7th Dec with two ladies' groups at Rainbow Muslim Women's Group, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
January 16, 2026 at 2:43 PM
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Everyone has been talking about the new Barbie this week.

Normally, when topics go viral, I avoid adding my 2 pence.

However, my ADHD brain was buzzing last night after continuously reading reviews, criticisms and welcomes to the doll collection. 👇🧵

@thendeducator.bsky.social
Photo shared by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics with brown background, SEMA logo, Title saying "Autistic Barbie" and a picture of brown barbie.
January 14, 2026 at 4:09 PM
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On 5th Dec, I went to the Boots and Beards office to deliver the first part of the Community Ambassador Training to some of the male South Asian carers at Coalition of Carers.

@thendeducator.bsky.social
Poster for SEMA (Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics) featuring logos of Coalition of Carers in Scotland and Boots & Beards. Two photos show a mixed group of adults seated around tables during a training session, with a facilitator standing and presenting. Text on the poster quotes positive feedback about the training, describing good vibes, shared lived experiences, enjoyment, and enthusiasm. Community Fund logo and website “sema.scot” appear at the bottom.
January 8, 2026 at 1:18 PM
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The new year has always been something I’ve always looked forward to. The madness dies down a bit, and you can tuck yourself in at home and reflect on what has been in the previous year.

#SEMA
#NewYearReflections
#AutisticVoices
#NeurodivergentCommunity
#AutisticAdults
#AutisticJoy
SEMA Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics graphic with the title “Reflections on hope, loss, and being yourself in 2026.” Below the title is an illustrated scene of a desk by a window with sunlight, plants, notebooks, pens, and an open sketchbook filled with red scribbled circles, suggesting reflection and emotional processing. Text at the bottom reads “By Husna Hussain” and “sema.scot.”
January 7, 2026 at 3:13 PM
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As we step into 2026, we pause to honour the courage, resilience, and stories that make our community so extraordinary. Every voice shared, every act of kindness, and every moment of understanding has shaped a world where people feel seen, valued, and supported.
Open notebook with a handwritten New Year message reading “Happy 2026 New Year.” The page is dated 01.01.2026 and includes a reflective message about pausing, understanding, connection, hope, courage, and gratitude for community journeys and resilience. At the bottom it is signed “with love Team SEMA” with a heart. A taped card on the page displays the SEMA logo and the text “Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics,” in warm neutral tones.
January 1, 2026 at 2:07 AM
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We are deeply thankful to Corporate Vision for the Small Business Awards 2025 in the Neurodiversity & Equity Excellence – UK category. 🏆

This recognition reflects the dedication, resilience, and passion of our community — the people, families, and supporters who walk alongside us every day.
Graphic announcing that Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA) has won the Neurodiversity & Equity Excellence Award at the Small Business Awards 2025 in the UK. The SEMA logo appears at the top, followed by award text. A Corporate Vision banner confirms the Small Business Awards 2025 recognition. The website sema.scot is shown at the bottom.
December 27, 2025 at 8:45 AM
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Merry Christmas from SEMA 🎄

This Christmas, we pause to reflect on the power of kindness, connection, and compassion. It is a time to celebrate the moments that bring warmth to our hearts, the people who lift us up, and the courage it takes to face challenges with hope.
Festive illustrated Christmas card with a warm, painterly background. Two lit candles in blue holders sit on a table with greenery and fairy lights. At the top is the SEMA logo with the text “SEMA – Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics.” Large white text reads “Merry Christmas,” and handwritten text at the bottom says “Love, Team SEMA.”
December 25, 2025 at 8:40 AM
semascot.bsky.social
#InternationalHumanSolidarityDay is observed on 20 December. It reminds us that solidarity is not charity or sympathy. It is a shared responsibility to challenge poverty, inequality and social exclusion through collective action.

#RacialisedAutistics
SEMA logo above the text ‘International Human Solidarity Day, 20th December’. Below, several hands of different skin tones are gently holding each other, symbolising unity and solidarity, with a subtle globe graphic in the background on a warm beige gradient.
December 20, 2025 at 11:46 AM
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#InternationalMigrantsDay: My great story is a shared one

International Migrants Day is observed on 18 December. It recognises migration as a defining force of our time and calls for safer, fairer and more inclusive systems that reflect real lives, not stereotypes.
Poster for International Migrants Day on 18 December by SEMA (Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics), featuring silhouettes of a diverse family standing on a globe, with the theme “My Great Story: Cultures and Development” and the message honoring the courage, strength, and resilience of migrants around the world.
December 18, 2025 at 10:44 AM
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@thendeducator.bsky.social from Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics will join Rainbow Muslim Women's Group to discuss the understanding of autism and neurodivergency.

Please join us to help tackle stigma around neurodivergence, disability and different ways of being.
Poster promoting an event titled “Introduction to SEMA & Understanding Autism.” Logos for Rainbow Muslim Women’s Group and SEMA, Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics, appear at the top. Text explains that Sofia from Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics will discuss what autism is, myths, sensory differences, co occurring conditions, and supporting a loved one. An illustration shows a Black Muslim woman holding books and a box labelled “feelings,” surrounded by hanging lanterns and words representing sensory and emotional experiences. Event details read Friday 26th December, 6.15 to 8.15 pm, at Thornhill Community Centre. Website sema.scot and Community Fund logo appear at the bottom.
December 15, 2025 at 4:39 PM
semascot.bsky.social
Hanukkah is a celebration of light, resilience and the right to practise faith without fear. It marks a history of survival, cultural continuity and the refusal to have identity erased.
A warm toned graphic from SEMA (Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics) wishing “Happy Hannukah.” The SEMA logo appears at the top, followed by the message “May your days be filled with light, peace, and meaningful moments.” At the bottom, a row of lit Hanukkah candles in glass holders glows softly against a light gradient background.
December 14, 2025 at 12:54 PM
semascot.bsky.social
It's the International Day of the Disabled Person tomorrow, and so we thought we would commemorate it by talking about what doesn't get much attention.

Knowing how your body and mind work is key to well-being, but most of us lack the information relevant to our specific needs.
Logos: SEDSConnective, ARGH, SEMA Text: Live Discussion: Neurodivergence & Connective Tissues. Join us on SEMA’s YouTube channel as we commemorate International Day of the Disabled Person. 7 pm Wednesday 3rd December. Profile pictures and names of Jane Green SEDSConnective, Kabie Brook, ARGH Scotland and Sofia Farzana, Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics. Logos: YouTube, Live Streaming
December 2, 2025 at 4:06 PM
semascot.bsky.social
Today is the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.

This day is not only about past atrocities. It is about recognising how systems of exploitation continue. Modern slavery includes forced labour, domestic servitude, trafficking, debt bondage and coercive exploitation.
Poster for SEMA with logo and title International Day for the Abolition of Slavery and text 50 million people are living in modern slavery globally (ILO, 2022) 1 in 4 are children (ILO, 2022) An estimated 136,000 people are in modern slavery in the UK (Global Slavery Index, 2023) Migrants and those with communication barriers face increased risk (Anti-Slavery International)
December 2, 2025 at 10:20 AM
semascot.bsky.social
Gender-based violence does not occur in isolation. For racialised Autistic women, non-binary people and gender-diverse people, experiences of harm are often shaped by cultural stigma, ableism, assumptions about communication, and how safety is defined.
A graphic from Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA) for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, taking place from November 25 to December 10. The background shows a close-up of a woman’s face with a serious expression. Text on the graphic reads: “Every 10 minutes, partners and family members killed a woman or a girl intentionally. The crisis of gender-based violence is urgent. There is #NoExcuse for violence against women and girls.”
November 27, 2025 at 2:11 PM
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Mental health must be spoken about honestly

Across the UK, men are facing a mental health crisis that is rarely acknowledged with the seriousness it deserves.

• In the UK, around 75% of people who die by suicide are men
(Source: Samaritans, 2023)
A graphic for Men's Health Awareness Month by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA). The background shows a group of men in conversation. At the top is the SEMA logo. Below it, text reads “Men’s Health Awareness Month.” A green awareness ribbon wraps around the words “Mental health matters.” At the bottom, a white text box states: “In Scotland, around 74 percent of suicide deaths are among men, particularly those aged 25 to 54, showing how deeply men are hurting and how rarely that pain is heard.”
November 26, 2025 at 12:08 PM
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#IslamophobiaAwarenessMonth: Flip the script

Islamophobia is often discussed as a matter of “misunderstanding” or “lack of awareness.” But Autistic Muslims are not misunderstood. They are unheard.
A graphic by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA) for Islamophobia Awareness Month. The top shows the SEMA logo against a light mosque interior background. Below it, large text reads “Flip the Script: Islamophobia Awareness Month.” A box with rounded corners contains guidance titled “How to support Autistic Muslims in your space,” followed by bullet points about avoiding assumptions, recognising sensory needs, respecting prayer times, allowing movement and stimming, and asking individuals what safety and comfort mean for them.
November 24, 2025 at 12:19 PM
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We decided that we will donate to @medicalaidpal.bsky.social. Sign up for our webinar on Eventbrite #colonialism #palestine #actuallyautistic
semascot.bsky.social Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · Nov 10
The Impact of Colonialism on Autistic People
Tuesday 25 November, 7-9PM.

I’ll be speaking in a webinar by Viv Dawes Autistic Advocate and Autistic Burnout Network alongside Claire Betson and Viv Dawes.

#AutisticInclusion
#RacialisedAutisticVoices
#ColonialismAndDisability
#AutisticBurnoutNetwork
Promotional poster for an online event titled “The Impact of Colonialism on Autistic People.” At the top are three organisation logos: SEMA (Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics), Neuro By Nature Therapy, and Autistic Burnout Network. Below the title, the event details read: “Tues Nov 25th 2025, 7–9PM, £10 per person.” Three speaker headshots are displayed in a row. Under each photo, their names and affiliations are written: “Sofia Farzana – SEMA” “Claire Betson – Neuro By Nature” “Viv Dawes – Autistic Burnout Network.” At the bottom, a note reads: “A percentage of ticket sales will be donated to charities working in Gaza. Recordings will be available for all ticket holders after the event.” The background is a soft beige gradient.
November 20, 2025 at 7:19 PM
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International Men’s Day: Seeing what is often unseen

International Men’s Day is a moment to recognise the experiences of men whose struggles are often hidden, dismissed or misunderstood.
A SEMA (Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics) graphic for International Men’s Day on 19 November. The top features the SEMA logo. Below, a background photo shows four men standing on a pier at sunset, with one man holding a fishing rod. In the foreground, a rounded white text box contains a message about men being taught to stay silent and the importance of creating environments where they do not have to hide their pain.
November 19, 2025 at 1:04 PM
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This week marks Transgender Awareness Week, a time to honour trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people, and to commit to meaningful change. For racialised Autistic individuals who are also trans, the layers of exclusion can be compounded: gender identity, neurodivergence, race, faith, culture.
A graphic for SEMA (Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics) promoting Transgender Awareness Week, dated 13th–19th November. The top features the SEMA logo. Below, two illustrated faces appear: the first has warm brown skin with a large cluster of bright pink flowers covering part of the face; the second shows similar facial features decorated with soft blue and pink makeup and white sparkling star shapes. The background has a smooth gradient of beige, orange, and pink tones.
November 19, 2025 at 12:52 PM
semascot.bsky.social
Islamophobia does not only appear in headlines. It shows up in schools, workplaces, services, and community spaces. For Autistic Muslims, this often means navigating both Islamophobia and ableism at the same time. In recent years, the UK has witnessed a deeply troubling rise in #Islamophobia.
A graphic for Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA) featuring the SEMA logo at the top. Below it, large text reads “Flip the Script: Islamophobia Awareness Month” with the phrase mirrored upside down beneath it. At the bottom, a white rounded box contains the message: “Islamophobia is not misunderstanding. It is a pattern of exclusion built into our institutions. Flipping the script means addressing the system, not the stereotype.” The background is a soft gradient of warm beige and orange tones.
November 16, 2025 at 2:59 PM
semascot.bsky.social
This week is Inter Faith Week: a chance to recognise, respect and build connection across belief systems.

For Autistic people from racialised faith communities, meaningful inter-faith inclusion means more than tolerance.

#Interfaithweek
Social media graphic for SEMA, Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics, marking Interfaith Week from 9 to 16 November. The background shows a diverse group of people with raised hands in a worship or community setting. The text reads: 'We do not need to make Autistic people fit faith spaces. We need to reshape faith spaces so Autistic people feel safe in them.'
November 13, 2025 at 3:18 PM
semascot.bsky.social
It's #ScottishCareersWeek - theme is Shape the Future

For Autistic individuals from racialised and faith-diverse communities, career journeys often involve navigating additional barriers – from workplace culture and recruitment practices to accessibility, faith accommodation & spoken/unspoken bias
A graphic by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA) for Career Week Scotland, taking place from 10th to 14th November 2025. The image shows small figurines of people standing on wooden blocks representing career steps. The centre features the “Scottish Careers Week: Shape the Future” logo in bright colours. Below, a message reads: “Career inclusion is not about helping Autistic people adapt to workplaces. It is about reshaping workplaces so Autistic people are respected and understood.” The overall tone is professional and inclusive.
November 12, 2025 at 1:07 PM