Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar)
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autisticrealms.bsky.social
Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar)
@autisticrealms.bsky.social
8.8K followers 8.2K following 2.4K posts
💜 ♾️ AuDHD | Monotropic | Neuro-affirming Autism advocate & consultant.
Interests: monotropism, flow, burnout & neuroqueer theory.
Writer • Trainer • Resource Creator | Former SEND EY/Primary teacher ♾️ 💜
https://www.autisticrealms.com/
Posts Replies Media Videos
autisticrealms.bsky.social
Toward Neurodiversity-Affirming Language for ADHD

@ejfriedel.bsky.social & team what a super paper with wonderful suggestions for thinking about language and tables to explain everything!
I love this, thank you!

PsyArXiv. doi.org/10.31234/osf...
A promotional graphic with a split background: the top half is light pink and the bottom half is muted green. The top section contains bold black text that reads, “Fabulous New Research! (Pre-Print) Autistic Realms Recommended Reading!” The lower section features the title in large bold text: “Toward Neurodiversity-Affirming Language for ADHD.” Beneath the title is a citation listing the authors Friedel, Staniland, Baker, Koperska, Mathy, Ramji, Dwyer, and Zaneva, dated November 14, 2025, followed by the PsyArXiv DOI link.
November 17, 2025 at 10:41 PM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
Honouring the life and work of Alice Wong.

Her reminder that “community is magic, power, and resistance” must continue to guide & inspire disability justice movements.

May her memory be a revolution.

In solidarity with @stimpunks.org and our wider disabled community.
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ALT This image is a tribute to Alice Wong, with a soft sunset sky in pink, purple, and orange tones as the background. Centered across the image is a quote in bold black text: “What I have always been hoping to accomplish is the creation of community. Community is magic. Community is power. Community is resistance.” — Alice Wong Below the quote, there is a memorial line that reads: “May her memory be a revolution (March 27, 1974 – November 14, 2025)” In the bottom-right corner is the Stimpunks logo, which includes an umbrella symbol.
November 15, 2025 at 6:35 PM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
Inclusion means recognising differences, not pretending they aren’t there.
Read more:

https://autisticrealms.com/inclusion-needs-recognition-not-erasure-a-neurodiversity-affirming-approach/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
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November 9, 2025 at 4:35 PM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
Sharing an upcoming publication with the chapter I co-authored with @fergus.oolong.co.uk

Embracing Monotropism and Flow

It Takes All Kinds of Minds: Fostering Neurodivergent Thriving at School
Ed. Rachael Davis @claruineill.bsky.social & @suereviews.bsky.social

www.routledge.com/It-Takes-All...
the image shows the cover of It Takes All Kinds of Minds: Fostering Neurodivergent Thriving at School, edited by Rachael Davis, Claire O’Neill, and Sue Fletcher-Watson. Beneath it is a section introducing the chapter: Chapter: Embracing Monotropism and Flow By Fergus Murray and Helen Edgar This chapter discusses the benefits of embracing the theory of monotropism (Murray et al., 2005) and the associated phenomenon of flow for Autistic and ADHD young people in educational settings. It highlights why reframing the narrative around autism is crucial. A deeper understanding of monotropism can support the wellbeing of young people and improve educational outcomes by creating radically inclusive learning environments and fostering collaborative approaches. Available for pre-order on December 5, 2025 https://www.routledge.com/It-Takes-All-Kinds-of-Minds-Fostering-Neurodivergent-Thriving-at-School/Davis-ONeill-Fletcher-Watson/p/book/9781032796222
November 9, 2025 at 3:19 PM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
A poem about monotropism for young people, families & educators to open conversations about Autistic/ADHD experiences.

https://autisticrealms.com/monotropism-a-poem/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
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November 4, 2025 at 5:01 PM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
Are you an Autistic adult or parent/carer to an Autistic child?
Would you or they like to contribute to a free booklet for Autistic children and young people that @gr0ve.bsky.social are creating?
Here is my contribution:
SUBMISSIONS forms.office.com/e/6Lg2Zx3g3N
By 23/11/25
Constellation galaxy background. Poem Reads: Monotropism My mind likes to wander and follow what’s true, One focus at a time helps me see what I do. Not everyone’s rhythm will feel quite like mine, Observing the details can make my world shine. Taking my time when things feel too bright, Resting and stimming help me feel right. Open to learning in ways that feel kind, Play helps me share what’s inside my mind. I connect through interests, through passions, through flow, Safe spaces that welcome, help me to grow. My monotropic mind, full of tunnels that glow, shining with wonder wherever I go. Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms, 2025)
November 4, 2025 at 9:16 AM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
This open-access book marks the first historical overview of the autism rights branch of the neurodiversity movement, describing the activities & rationales of key leaders in their own words.
Edited by @drstevenkapp.bsky.social
link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
Book cover of Autistic Community and the Neurodiversity Movement: Stories from the Frontline, edited by Steven K. Kapp. The artwork shows a bright, glowing sun above a vivid landscape of rolling green hills. A large rainbow arcs across the sky, filled with colorful stars. Below, a long procession of diverse people moves forward along a winding path through the hills, symbolizing community and collective movement. The cover features an open access label and the Palgrave Macmillan logo.
November 3, 2025 at 10:44 AM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
Support Autistic people through better understanding of communication, sensory needs & double empathy. Free Resources

https://autisticrealms.com/understanding-the-double-empathy-problem-a-guide-for-autistic-families/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
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October 31, 2025 at 11:04 AM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
FREE Neuro-Affirming Communication & Sensory Passport + training
Support Autistic people through better understanding of communication, sensory needs &…

https://autisticrealms.com/understanding-the-double-empathy-problem-a-guide-for-autistic-families/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
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October 31, 2025 at 8:15 AM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
Constantly overwhelmed and desperate for help”: Parents’ experiences of supporting their autistic child with mental health difficulties in the United Kingdom. Ashworth E, et al. (2025)
Deteriorating parental wellbeing
The knock-on effect on the whole family
A lack of support
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
Screenshot of a research article titled: “Constantly overwhelmed and desperate for help”: Parents’ experiences of supporting their autistic child with mental health difficulties in the United Kingdom. The authors listed are Emma Ashworth, Lucy Bray, Claire Hanlon, Georgia Pavlopoulou, David Moore, Bethany Donaghy, Elizabeth Coen, Harvey Stanway, and Ellen Firth. It shows the publication date as September 22, 2025, with a DOI link. Beneath the text is a photograph of a woman sitting indoors, looking distressed and exhausted. She is pinching the bridge of her nose with one hand while holding her glasses in the other. The background is softly lit with a lamp and blurred household objects, conveying stress and emotional overwhelm.
October 28, 2025 at 11:30 AM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
If presuming competence is applied without nuance & without adopting a neuro-affirming approach, it becomes a harmful ableist assumption.

https://autisticrealms.com/presuming-competence-a-neuro-affirming-reframe-to-support-autistic-people/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
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October 25, 2025 at 6:52 PM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
More new research!

Challenges, Strengths, and Joys of Autistic Parents: An abductive qualitative content analysis of parent interviews. Thom-Jones, S., Brownlow, C., & Abel, S. (2025).https://doi.org/10.1177/25739581251385735
A rectangular infographic titled “Challenges, Strengths, and Joys of Autistic Parents: An Abductive Qualitative Content Analysis of Parent Interviews” by Thom-Jones, Brownlow, and Abel (2025). The background is a muted green with a white rounded rectangle in the center containing text. The infographic highlights that major challenges for Autistic parents are external, including lack of access to appropriate supports, inappropriate supports, and discrimination from professionals and service providers. It notes feelings of not being good enough or failing as a parent. It also states that some participants reported joy in parenting and strengths such as egalitarian parenting, open and honest communication, and insight and understanding. The bottom includes a formal citation and a small circular Autistic Realms logo with the words “Neurodiversity Affirming.
October 25, 2025 at 3:27 PM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
Reclaiming Rest: Autistic Burnout, Monotropism, and Resistance
Free training resource slide deck in blog.

https://autisticrealms.com/reclaiming-rest-autistic-burnout-monotropism-and-resistance/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
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October 25, 2025 at 8:36 AM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
Behaviourism and Neuro-Affirming Practice: A Clash of Paradigms
Read more....

https://autisticrealms.com/protecting-the-meaning-of-neuro-affirming-practice/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
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October 21, 2025 at 7:11 AM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
Urgent need for trauma-informed care for Autistic adults:
• 72% experienced sexual or physical assault in research
• 44% met criteria for PTSD
• 93% reported high levels of mind-based dissociation
Trauma among autistic adults is widespread & under-recognised.
Read: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36605371/
A square infographic with the title “Autistic Adults and PTSD.” Inside a mauve rounded rectangle, text reads: “93% reported high levels of mind-based dissociation.” “72% reported having experienced sexual assault, another unwanted sexual experience, or physical assault.” “44% met the criteria for PTSD.” “32% reported high levels of body-based dissociation.” Below the box, small text reads: “Data from: Reuben KE, Stanzione CM, Singleton JL. Interpersonal Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress in Autistic Adults. Autism Adulthood. 2021 Sep 1;3(3):247–256. doi:10.1089/aut.2020.0073. Epub 2021 Sep 2. PMID: 36605371; PMCID: PMC8992908.” In the bottom right corner is a circular logo with the text: “Autistic Realms – Neurodiversity Affirming
October 19, 2025 at 12:38 PM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
The Neuro-Affirming Wheel of Life & Journal. Designed for neurodivergent & disabled people. Reflect on your energy, flow, sensory needs &…

https://autisticrealms.com/neuro-affirming-neurodivergent-disabled-wheel-of-life-reclaiming-flow-on-our-own-terms/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
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October 18, 2025 at 8:01 AM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
Autistic Burnout - Supporting Young People At Home & School. Neuroaffirming ways to spot the signs, reduce demands & offer support.

Read more:
autisticrealms.com/autistic-bur...
A graphic titled “Feedback” in pink script font. Below, a testimonial reads: “This updated piece ‘Autistic Burnout – Supporting Young People At Home & School’ from Autistic Realms is one of the clearest and most compassionate explanations I’ve seen of what autistic burnout actually is and how it can look when children become home-based or can’t manage school or everyday outings. It explores how social and sensory demands can exceed capacity, leading to exhaustion, withdrawal, and a deep need for safety and recovery, and how what’s often seen as ‘refusal’ is in fact a child protecting their overwhelmed nervous system. It also offers clear, practical guidance on low-demand, neuroaffirming support and on recognising burnout before it becomes a full crisis. Highly recommend this read for any parent, carer, educator, or professional wanting to understand what’s really happening beneath ‘attendance difficulties.’ 💛” — Canary SEND, Oct 2025 At the bottom left is the yellow Canary SEND logo with text: “Action. Change. SEND Rights. Neuroaffirmative, trauma-informed SEND support and advocacy in Brighton & Sussex. Canary SEND helps families with school refusal, emotionally based school avoidance, and SEND rights.” In the lower right corner is the Autistic Realms circular logo with the words “Autistic Realms: Neurodiversity Affirming.”
October 17, 2025 at 8:30 PM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
Supporting pupils through Autistic Burnout (Neuro-Affirming Teacher Guide). Free Training from myself and Viv Dawes ABN

https://autisticrealms.com/supporting-pupils-through-autistic-burnout-teacher-guide/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
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October 17, 2025 at 10:09 AM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
Autistic Burnout - Supporting Young People At Home & School. Neuroaffirming ways to spot the signs, reduce demands & support. Free Training by myself and Viv Dawes

🔗…

https://autisticrealms.com/autistic-burnout-supporting-young-people-at-home-school-3/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
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October 17, 2025 at 10:05 AM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
What a fabulous conference.
Honoured to have been able to present at The Gestalt Language Processors Conference 2025 today with @thespeechden.bsky.social about:Child-Led Play and Monotropism in GLPs: A Journey of Re-Learning.
Thank you to all that joined us
Find out more: thespeechden.com/training/
Slides from the Gestalt Language Processors Conference 2025 presentation “Child-Led Play and Monotropism in GLPs: A Journey of Re-Learning.” Helen Edgar and Cathy Shilling discuss monotropism and deep focus, with slides showing “Monotropism” and “GLPs: Deep Focus & Intense Interests.” Logos for The Speech Den and Autistic Realms appear below. Slides from the Gestalt Language Processors Conference 2025 presentation “Child-Led Play and Monotropism in GLPs: A Journey of Re-Learning.” Helen Edgar and Cathy Shilling discuss gestalts, attention, and relational flow, with slides titled “Gestalts Anchored in Attention” and “Scripts as Connections in Shared Flow.” Slides from the Gestalt Language Processors Conference 2025 presentation “Child-Led Play and Monotropism in GLPs: A Journey of Re-Learning.” Cathy Shilling and Helen Edgar explore language, interests, and autonomy through slides titled “Language Tied to Interests” and “What Is Child-Led Play? A Journey of Unlearning.” Slides from the Gestalt Language Processors Conference 2025 presentation “Child-Led Play and Monotropism in GLPs: A Journey of Re-Learning.” Helen Edgar and Cathy Shilling present on play schemas, sensory needs, and affirming Autistic focus, with slides titled “Play Schemas, Monotropism & Sensory Needs” and “Minimize Disruptions to the Attention Tunnel & Be Neuro-Affirming.”
October 14, 2025 at 9:57 AM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
ThalloMinds  has kindly translated The Map of Monotropic…

https://autisticrealms.com/%cf%87%ce%ac%cf%81%cf%84%ce%b7%cf%82-%ce%bc%ce%bf%ce%bd%ce%bf%cf%84%cf%81%ce%bf%cf%80%ce%b9%ce%ba%cf%8e%ce%bd-%ce%b5%ce%bc%cf%80%ce%b5%ce%b9%cf%81%ce%b9%cf%8e%ce%bd/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
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October 13, 2025 at 2:59 PM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
I am presenting at The Gestalt Language Processors Conference 2025 with Cathy Shilling from The Speech Den this week. We will be exploring all things GLP and Monotropism related. This is one of our summary slides.
Find out more: registration.glpconference.co.uk/glp25
Infographic titled “Supporting Gestalt Language Processors Through the Lens of Monotropism.” Five green-grey boxes list supportive, neuroaffirming strategies: Validate scripting and use as building blocks Follow interests and join their flow – allow silence and child-led direction Avoid direct prompting – reduce questions and redirecting Model language from the child’s perspective (examples: “I love…”, “Let’s try…”, “How about…”) Respect sensory needs, bodily autonomy, and allow processing time Decorative pink hearts and infinity symbols appear along the sides. At the bottom, text reads: Find out more & join Cathy Shilling & Helen Edgar – Gestalt Language Processors Conference 2025. Logos for The Speech Den and Autistic Realms – Neurodiversity Affirming appear in the lower corners.
October 12, 2025 at 7:34 PM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
I am presenting at The Gestalt Language Processors Conference 2025 with Cathy Shilling from The Speech Den this week. We will be exploring all things GLP and Monotropism related. This is one of our summary slides.
Find out more: registration.glpconference.co.uk/glp25
Infographic titled “Gestalt Language Processing Reframed: Monotropism, Interests & Connection.” It contrasts a Deficit View of GLPs & Autism (left column, red boxes) with a Monotropism Informed Neuroaffirming Reframe (right column, green boxes), using arrows to show each shift in understanding: Deficit View: Echolalia = lack of intent or understanding and meaningless repetition Reframe: Echolalia = communication, grounded in deep attentional and emotional resonance Deficit View: Scripts are rigid or blocking progress Reframe: Scripts are anchors from which meaningful communication can emerge Deficit View: GLPs have delayed or disordered language Reframe: GLPs uniquely acquire language deeply and relationally through attentional processing Deficit View: Structured analytic interventions needed to fix and cure Reframe: Trust and connection support shared flow and communication Deficit View: Redirecting attention and distractions help Reframe: Allowing time and space for passions and processing is regulating At the bottom, it says: Find out more & join Cathy Shilling & Helen Edgar – Gestalt Language Processors Conference 2025. Logos for The Speech Den and Autistic Realms – Neurodiversity Affirming appear in the corners.
October 12, 2025 at 7:34 PM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
Being “interest-led” isn’t enough.
Monotropism means honouring deep attention, autonomy & sensory safety, not weaponising interests for compliance.

https://autisticrealms.com/why-interest-led-isnt-enough-embracing-monotropism-neuro-affirming-practice/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
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October 12, 2025 at 9:21 AM
autisticrealms.bsky.social
Created by Laura Hellfeld to support PANS/PANDAS Conference 2025 our new templates help families, schools & clinicians understand the overlap between neurodivergence & PANS/PANDAS.

https://autisticrealms.com/navigating-pans-pandas-neurodivergence/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
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October 6, 2025 at 1:45 PM