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Richard Mills @richardmills18.bsky.social · 12h

#AutismArtofThePossible

Richard Mills @richardmills18.bsky.social · 12h

Good to see this. Thanks Michelle. Still a significant barrier for so many #autistic children and adults - and widely misunderstood.

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Reposted by Richard Mills

Michelle Dawson @autismcrisis.bsky.social · 20h

"clothing-related tactile sensitivity has significant, widespread effects on autistic adults’ lives including their appearance satisfaction, self-esteem, and their clothing options and choices"? journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/... based on online survey results, mixed methods study, free

Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.

journals.sagepub.com

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Richard Mills @richardmills18.bsky.social · 12h

fake

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Richard Mills @richardmills18.bsky.social · 18h

What a day this was! Excellently Chaired by Ruth and Nicki, faultless organisation by Jacky and the AT-Autism team and with brilliant speakers and audience. Memorable, authentic, inspiring. #AutismTheArtOfThePossible

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Reposted by Richard Mills

AT-Autism @at-autism.bsky.social · 9d

In-person tickets for Autism: The Art of the Possible are SOLD OUT!

BUT, you can still join us online:

🎥 Livestream on the day
▶️ Or watch on demand afterwards

📅 Wed 8 Oct
🎟️ Book your online place: www.atautism.org/at-autism-co...

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Richard Mills @richardmills18.bsky.social · 18h

hear hear- wonderful! Thank you Ann

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Reposted by Richard Mills

AT-Autism @at-autism.bsky.social · 1d

Many thanks to @annmemmott.bsky.social for sharing her reflections on our conference today.
#AutismArtOfThePossible

Ann Memmott @annmemmott.bsky.social · 1d

Thread on the #AutismArtOfThePossible conference held 8 October 2025 in Westminster by the fabulous team at @at-autism.bsky.social
@drruthmoyse.bsky.social is opening the autism conference, with Nicola Martin. Making clear this is based on a strengths-based, 'universal design' approach to change/

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Reposted by Richard Mills

AT-Autism @at-autism.bsky.social · 23h

We work with organisations to design and improve services that truly meet autistic people’s needs.

We offer expert guidance on inclusive practice, service development and organisational change – grounded in both evidence and lived experience.

Learn more: www.atautism.org/services/aut...

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Richard Mills @richardmills18.bsky.social · 18h

should have gone to specsavers?

Richard Mills @richardmills18.bsky.social · 18h

a likely story

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Richard Mills @richardmills18.bsky.social · 18h

#AutismtheArtOfThePossible confirmed to me that In-person events still have a critical role. Watching the interactions, the networking, the informal chats, the fun, the love and the joy of having people who share a common cause, together in the same safe space was immense. @at-autism.bsky.social

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Richard Mills @richardmills18.bsky.social · 18h

but do they fit or suit you Dave?

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Richard Mills @richardmills18.bsky.social · 18h

Do we detect a warming to #Trump by the mainstream media and a willingness to gloss over previous indiscretions? What's the endgame here?

Richard Mills @richardmills18.bsky.social · 18h

a slippery slope if ever I saw one!

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Reposted by Richard Mills

Ann Memmott @annmemmott.bsky.social · 1d

Zahilah talks us through the SPELL framework which is making such a difference to so many autistic children and families.
It's a practical, human framework that is rooted in empathy and respect.
www.atautism.org/spell-framew... gives more information on this/

Spell Framework - AT-Autism

www.atautism.org

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Richard Mills @richardmills18.bsky.social · 18h

A moving and eye-opening presentation about how #SPELL transformed the lives of so many families in Papua New Guinea. 'Lack of resources' is often the excuse for not doing anything - Try PNG! Changing minds costs little. Practical, ethical, accessible help is what families need. SPELL does that.

Reposted by Richard Mills

Ann Memmott @annmemmott.bsky.social · 1d

Next thread on #AutismArtOfThePossible, with speaker Zahilah Filzah, who worked as a consultant paediatrician and advisor to the Court for Children in Malaysia.

She is the founder of The Ark Autism Centre, which supports autistic individuals and their families from low-income communities/

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Reposted by Richard Mills

Ann Memmott @annmemmott.bsky.social · 1d

It's about gradual acceptance of yourself, & encouraging others within the Psychiatric profession & allied professionals to recognise their own neurodivergence/that of their colleagues.

(My note: challenging assumption on wards that e.g. autism is something to fix, that's only 'in the patients')/

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Reposted by Richard Mills

Ann Memmott @annmemmott.bsky.social · 1d

Catherine also talks about the traumatising impact of the inpatient environments and procedures. (My note: so many people go in to get worse, not better, in too many cases).

So, what do we do?
It starts with self-reflection, and about being humble & authentic. A journey of discovery/

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Reposted by Richard Mills

Ann Memmott @annmemmott.bsky.social · 1d

Catherine quotes from actual conversation: "She can't be autistic - she has friends and a job." (!)
The impact of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis leads to poor and devastating outcomes.
Same with focusing just on e.g. depression and ignoring autism diagnosis/

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Reposted by Richard Mills

Ann Memmott @annmemmott.bsky.social · 1d

Now Catherine Dakin speaking at #AutismArtOfThePossible. Late dx Neurodivergent (Autistic, ADHD) parent, and Autism Specialist Consultant Psychiatrist, Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust.
Catherine talks about her own past, a lifetime of self-criticism rather than self-understanding/

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Reposted by Richard Mills

Ann Memmott @annmemmott.bsky.social · 1d

Catherine is part of Autistic Doctors International, who are doing such fantastic work to raise standards and understanding.

So... why do we need to change the minds of Psychiatrists, and how on earth do we do that?
Catherine talks us through the harms done by some current mindsets/

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Reposted by Richard Mills

Ann Memmott @annmemmott.bsky.social · 1d

This is a graphic showing the SPELL framework, from the AT-Autism link above.
It's about making the world more enjoyable, meaningful & accessible, for autistic individuals.
Developing empathy, joy, development, and opportunity/

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Reposted by Richard Mills

Ann Memmott @annmemmott.bsky.social · 1d

My note: Hurrah, because I'm jolly fed up with reading paper after paper from the Dental professionals, explaining how to restrain autistic children. There's no need for this, if we understand what we're doing and truly understand autistic people and sensory needs etc.
/

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