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semascot.bsky.social
Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics
@semascot.bsky.social
1.5K followers 730 following 580 posts
We strive to improve understanding of being autistic from the various communities of the Global Majority. www.sema.scot
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · Apr 14
Thank you to everyone who has walked with us, shared their stories, trusted us, challenged us, and believed that being radically inclusive isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Please vote for us here: www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/awards-2025/...

#NDA25
Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA)
I have been voted for an Award at The National Diversity Awards 2025 in association with @itvnews. Please vote for me #NDA25 #Nominate #VotingNowOpen
www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk
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semascot.bsky.social
Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 2d
You can see the artwork at Forth Valley Royal Hospital this week, at the Bellfield Centre in Stirling next week, and then at the Spiers Centre in Alloa from 20th October.

You can read our stories in our e-books, available on our website under Projects.
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 2d
As part of the Forth Valley Black History Month celebrations, we were invited to share our stories as Black Autistics, since our project heard from the majority of Scottish Black Autistics earlier this year.
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 2d
We are delighted to share that our original artwork from the "Our Lived Experiences" project, funded by the Autistic Adult Support Fund, is on display this month around the Forth Valley.

#BlackHistoryMonth #BlackWhileAutistic #OurStories #LivedExperience #ForthValley
Poster for “Travelling Creations”, a mobile art exhibition celebrating Black History Month 2025 across Forth Valley. The poster has a black background with three photos: one of an artwork displayed in a library, one showing three people standing behind framed artworks, and one of a person standing between two stone columns. Exhibition dates and locations are listed: FVRH, Falkirk: 6th–10th October Bellfield Centre, Stirling: 13th–17th October Spiers Centre, Alloa: 20th–24th October Text below reads: “A vibrant, mobile art exhibition celebrating Black History Month 2025, that will travel across Forth Valley throughout October. ‘Standing firm in power & pride.’” At the bottom are logos for Artlink Central and Black History Month Forth Valley, along with a QR code.
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 4d
You can read our joint report here 🔗 arghighland.co.uk/new-disgnosi...

#AutismInScotland
#AutisticRights
#NeurodivergentScotland
#DisabilityJustice
#SEMA
New Report Highlights Urgent Need for Change in Autism Assessment Services Across Scotland – ARGH
arghighland.co.uk
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 4d
We are glad that Parliament and the Minister are interested in hearing from us, but we are also more interested in what action will be taken to improve our lives.

Many thanks to Leo from AMASE for coming along to support Sofia! It was their first time meeting in real life!
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 4d
Instead of improving pathways as the understanding of Autism improves in our society, we have seen closure of pathways, continued gatekeeping and limited access to support.
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 4d
On the 24th, I had the opportunity to present the findings of a survey on autism assessment experiences—a vital research piece that brought together Scottish Autism, ARGH, AMASE, and SEMA.

Although the research was conducted in 2023, the situation has actually declined for Autistics in Scotland.
A collage showing highlights from the SPICe Committee morning briefing on “Experiences of Autism Assessment and Diagnosis in Scotland.” The top section features the Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA) logo and event title. Below, there are photos of Sofia Farzana from SEMA and Leo from AMASE smiling together, Sofia’s nameplate on the conference table, and slides displaying the joint research by SEMA, ARGH, AMASE, and Scottish Autism. The final image shows Sofia presenting at the podium alongside other speakers in a parliamentary setting.
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 6d
▪ We host events and webinars where Autistic voices of olour are amplified and placed at the centre.

Non-violence for us is active. It means dismantling inequity and creating environments where racialised Autistic people are respected, included, and valued.

#InternationalDayOfNonViolence
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 6d
▪ We deliver training and consultancy that help organisations confront bias and create safer spaces.

▪ We run a support group for Black, Brown & Asian Autistic adults, offering a safe space to connect, share, and be understood.
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 6d
(see post shared from Asiatu Lawoyin)

At SEMA, we are doing our best to challenge this, and we are always working to do more.

▪ We asked for the Different Minds Autism Myth-Busting booklets be translated in nine languages, challenging stigma and sparking conversations in minority communities.
asiatu.coach
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 6d
2 October marks the International Day of Non-Violence, a reminder that peace is not only the absence of conflict but the presence of dignity, justice, and respect.

Violence is not always physical. It shows up as systemic exclusion, cultural stigma, and barriers to access.
Graphic for International Day of Non-Violence, 2nd October 2025, created by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA). The image features a quote by Cesar Chavez: 'Nonviolence is not inaction. It is not discussion. It is not for the timid or weak... Nonviolence is hard work. It is the willingness to sacrifice. It is the patience to win.' The SEMA logo is displayed at the top.
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 8d
Join us by
▪ Sharing our multilingual resources with your networks
▪ Partnering with us to expand access and reach new communities
▪ Encouraging stories of neurodiversity in every language

In language, we find connection. In translation, we find inclusion.

#SEMA
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 8d
Translation matters because autism is understood differently across cultures. Without accessible resources, stigma and misinformation thrive. Our work shows what is possible when inclusion speaks every language.
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 8d
▪︎ Our current EMDF project (funded by National lottery Community fund Scotland) will produce more translated resources on topics like PDA, monotropism, accessing work & transitions.
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 8d
▪ We deliver webinars that tackle myths, rights, support, and anti-racism in ways that connect with minority communities.

▪ We use a neuro-affirming framing of Autistic experiences, shared in multiple languages, to build dialogue across cultures.
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 8d
On our website, you’ll find how we put this into practice:

🔗 sema.scot/autism/

▪ Our Autism Myth Busting booklets are available in Arabic, Gaelic, Polish, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Urdu, Bengali, Hindi, and English- part of the Different Minds Campaign by Scot Gov
Autism - SEMA.Scot
Autism Translated information on autism Autism is a neurotype that has many different meanings in different cultures. The neuro-affirming way to understand autism is to balance the strengths and diffi...
sema.scot
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 8d
30 September marks #InternationalTranslationDay, a celebration of the bridges language creates. At Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA), translation is more than words. It is about ensuring autistic people from all communities can access respect, dignity, and understanding.
Promotional graphic by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA) for International Translation Day. The text reads: ‘INTERNATIONAL TRANSLATION DAY – Sharing autism stories worldwide.’ The SEMA logo is at the top. The centre features a poster titled ‘Autism Myth Busting’ with an illustration of a person surrounded by colourful flowing shapes. Around it are translated materials in multiple languages, including Urdu, Arabic, Gaelic, Polish, and Punjabi. The materials promote autism myth-busting, rights, support for autistic loved ones, and anti-racism. Logos for SEMA, BEMIS Scotland, and the Scottish Government are included.
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 24d
If you work in education, healthcare, or support services, we hope you will read, share and talk to us. These are the conversations that can save lives.

#AutismAcceptance
#RejectionSensitivity
#SuicideAwareness
#Neurodiversity
#SEMAScotland
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 24d
🧠 Read the full piece on
Rejection Sensitivity, Elopement and Suicide – How They Are Connected here:

👉 sema.scot/rejection-sensitivity-elopement-and-suicide-how-they-are-connected/
Rejection Sensitivity, Elopement, and Suicide- How They Are Connected - SEMA.Scot
This week has been Suicide Prevention Week. It’s not the awareness of suicides happening around that we need. It’s the causes and what we can do to stem them. It […]
sema.scot
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 24d
At SEMA, we look into the links between Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria, elopement, and suicidal ideation, particularly in the lives of racialised neurodivergent people. This is not just about awareness. It is about safety, dignity, and survival.
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 24d
When we actually listen to lived experience, we begin to see the reality. A reality shaped by pain, fear, and unmet needs. One where support systems are missing or not made for us. Where masking becomes a form of survival, and burnout can lead to withdrawal or worse.
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 24d
“They’ll be fine.”
But what if they’re not?

Some of the most misunderstood experiences for Autistic people, especially racialised Autistics, are rejection sensitivity, elopement, and suicidality.

These are often dismissed or mislabelled as misbehaviour, defiance, or attention-seeking.
Graphic for World Suicide Prevention Month by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA). The top features the SEMA logo. Below, bold text reads 'WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH.' In the center is a social media post by Pat Radical Therapist that says: 'Suicide Awareness that ignores poverty, prisons, racism, ableism, transphobia & systemic oppression isn’t complete awareness. People don’t just die ONLY because of mental illness. They die because systems make life unbearable.' The post shows 6.4k likes, 59 comments, and 1.3k shares. At the bottom, there is the National Suicide Prevention Month logo with a teal and purple ribbon.
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 25d
We need to reframe perceptions around emotions & push back this misconception.

Anger, especially, is pathologised to control the narrative of Racialised people, especially Black people, to paint us as aggressive, even when we are the ones being victimised.

#AutisticEmotions #RacialisedAutistics
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 25d
If a racialised Autistic, with a nervous system which is likely to be more sensitive and responsive due to multiple layers of trauma were to react like this, they are automatically seen as immature and therefore unreliable, or perhaps even dangerous.
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · 25d
As Black and Brown people, we are not afforded the same empathy when we feel overwhelmed - our emotions are seen as dramatisation or aggression.

Autistics of all races say when they feel any strong emotion - fear, love, excitement, anxiety, injustice, joy - that they react with tears.
Graphic with the SEMA (Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics) logo at the top. Below, bold black text reads: 'They told us being emotional meant weakness. But what if emotional just means human?' Followed by lines: 'Tears are not failure. Anger is not disobedience. Overwhelm is not immaturity. It’s not that we feel too much. It’s that the world allows too little. Reclaim your emotions. Honour your feelings. Being emotional is not the problem. The systems that punish it are.' At the bottom, bold text states: 'Ignoring our emotions is not maturity, its capitalism and part of colonialism.' Background shows a partially visible person with curly hair wearing a pink top.
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