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MSc Psychology and Learning Disability

@uoppald.bsky.social

60 followers 73 following 25 posts

Two-year part-time online MSc course in Psychology and Learning Disability at the University of Portsmouth - core subjects, research methods, thesis! #LD #autism #ND

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MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · Feb 23

Hello, we are a 2-year part-time (can work alongside) online ("live" *options*; costs the same, can study from everywhere) MSc course on learning/intellectual disability, autism, and neurodiversity. Students have own tutor. We are recruiting for September. To learn more: port.ac.uk/study/course...

Psychology and Learning Disability

Learn how to make a positive difference in the lives of people with learning disabilities, as well as their families and supporters, on our MSc Psychology and Learning Disability course. This 2 year, ...

port.ac.uk

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MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · 20d

Hi! We are a part-time (can work alongside) online ("live" *options*; costs the same in/outside the UK, can study from everywhere) MSc course on learning/intellectual disability, autism, and neurodiversity. Students have own tutor. We are recruiting for this term:
www.port.ac.uk/study/course...

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MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · Jun 30

Thank you Chloe! We understand difficulties with health and disability - hence the unintentional delay in seeing and responding to your message. We hope you are enjoying your well-earned summer break.

Reposted by MSc Psychology and Learning Disability

Chloe (she/her) @chloeapter.bsky.social · May 31

I have officially finished the first year of my MSc despite chronic illness flare-ups around *practically every deadline*.

For anyone interested in learning disability, autism, & neurodivergence, @uoppald.bsky.social is utterly wonderful with the most supportive tutors - do check the course out!

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Reposted by MSc Psychology and Learning Disability

Centre for Interaction, Development and Diversity @uopcidd.bsky.social · Jun 30

In case you missed it, a presentation by our Director Beatriz López. @drstevenkapp.bsky.social, and @eminegurbuz.bsky.social delivered a good practice research showcase on Creating an inclusive research culture for neurodivergent researchers, as part of the Uni's Research Culture Connect-Fest.

University of Portsmouth Centre for Interaction, Development and Diversity Director Beatriz López presents on her talk with Steven Kapp and Emine Gurbuz at the UoP Research Culture Connect-Fest, with the slide reading Good Practice Showcase 1: Creating an inclusive research culture for neurodivergent researchers.

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MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · May 29

Please consider taking part in this quick online study about how people form first impressions in social interaction, using AI avatars, by our student @valrentinaolivieri.bsky.social. The study also presents an opportunity to give feedback about the AI-generated scenarios. To participate, see below.

Steven Kapp @drstevenkapp.bsky.social · May 29

Please help my student @valrentinaolivieri.bsky.social with her study on first impressions using AI avatars.
✅ 2 short scenarios
📷 Quick questions (~15 mins)
📷18+ with internet and a device
To participate: research.sc/participant/...
Visit this site or scan the QR code on poster
Please reskeet 🙏

CALL FOR RESPONDENTS!
For study on Social Interaction and First Impression formation.
QUALIFICATIONS:
If you are:
- Interested in taking part in a scenariobased
game featuring AI-generated avatars
and an interactive virtual world.
- Have access to an internet connection and
a device (laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc.) to
use to access two scenarios and answer a
couple of questionnaires.
THEN YOU ARE QUALIFIED TO
PARTICIPATE!
To participate, simply go here: https://research.sc/participant/login/dynamic/D7CABF64-D335-400D-90FD-368DE41AF496 or
scan the OR code!

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Reposted by MSc Psychology and Learning Disability

Centre for Interaction, Development and Diversity @uopcidd.bsky.social · May 20

Today our own Alessandra Fasulo co-authored presentation on Improving prosocial behaviour in the primary school classroom through a school-based mindfulness programme, & @drstevenkapp.bsky.social presented on paper below on experience of autistic ppl AFAB, at Childhood & Youth Symposium. See thread:

MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · May 20

@drstevenkapp.bsky.social presented on behalf of supervisee Bethany Fearon regarding her @uoppald.bsky.social MSc-turned-paper w/ @dramypearson.bsky.social on autistic ppl assigned female at birth's experiences of puberty & adolescence (free copy here): researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/publicati... 1/

Exploring the social and emotional impact of puberty and adolescence on autistic people assigned female at birth

researchportal.port.ac.uk

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MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · May 20

Accentuated emotional, social harms (eg self-sexualisation, camouflaging, menstruation). Some experienced gender dysphoria. Increased risk of bullying, violence - need for relationship education (eg on grooming). Parents, friends (online, in person) provided support - more research needed. 9/

MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · May 20

Participants experienced verbal, physical bullying, especially at school. They felt pressured by friends to socially conform. Several described unhealthy romantic, sexual relationships and manipulation, coercion, exploitation (eg grooming by older man who "shared me with his friends": Gabby). 8/

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MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · May 20

Many participants had support from mothers or friends (from hygiene to contraception, flirting) - novel finding that parents actively supported sexual, romantic development (maybe b/c prior to autism diagnosis?). Some lacked support but wish they had "guidance" (Maggie), eg with managing emotions 7/

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MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · May 20

Participants struggled to come to terms w/ being different. Later diagnosis or finding similar others helped.
Some coped w/ interest-based activities. Other behaviours harmful, risky - extreme masking, identity confusion; underage drinking, illegal drugs; self-injury: cutting, making self sick. 6/

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MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · May 20

Puberty often precious or delayed; onset distressing regardless. Body changes were uncomfortable for participants across gender ID (eg Lola "never wanted breasts at all"; "becoming curvier" was "real issue" (Karla); Ruby was being treated like an adult but still felt like & was "legally a child". 5/

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MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · May 20

Thematic analysis generated 3 themes of puberty, adolescence for autistics AFAB: overwhelming nature of puberty (distressing body changes, sensory impact of adolescence), navigating adolescent world (feeling different, finding ways to cope, finding & receiving support) & victimisation experiences 4/

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MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · May 20

17 participants via social media (thank you!) & word of mouth. Adults (ages 19-50) via recall (14 Zoom calls, 3 email). Mostly women (13) but also not comfortable w/ binary (4), White (16), British (13), diagnosed (16, 1 awaiting assessment) in adulthood (12, as young as 9; several recent years). 3/

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MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · May 20

No prior study broadly on autistic adolescents' lived experience of puberty. Limited lit suggests emotional, sensory impacts of menstruation. Little lit on sexual & romantic development even though autistic adolescents assigned female at birth often camouflage, high risk of sexual victimisation. 2/

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MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · May 20

Exploring the social and emotional impact of puberty and adolescence on autistic people assigned female at birth

researchportal.port.ac.uk

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MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · May 9

Have 15 minutes for a study on interactive AI-generated avatars, to inform understanding of first impressions and social interactions? This is for @valrentinaolivieri.bsky.social's MSc, supervised by @drstevenkapp.bsky.social.
Link (or use the QR code on poster below):
research.sc/participant/...

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MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · May 4

@drstevenkapp.bsky.social's panel at International Society for Autism Research on Neurodivergence-affirming research practices for autistic people w/ high support needs illustrates relevance of neurodiversity framework for people w/ significant disabilities - an important principle of our MSc course

Hannah Morton @hannahmorton.bsky.social · May 3

As an autism community we should be coming together to defend and support the services and supports that allow autistic people to live a life of their choosing
- @drstevenkapp.bsky.social

Thank you Dr. Kapp for your continued leadership and advocacy at #INSAR2025 and beyond

Steven Kapp presenting at a podium at INSAR

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Reposted by MSc Psychology and Learning Disability

Steven Kapp @drstevenkapp.bsky.social · Apr 25

Following public false claims on autism causation and attacks on science, INSAR has released a statement that people are “born with autism”
www.autism-insar.org/page/insarst.... Autism as innate and lifelong is the focus my new free paper (long thread incoming): www.frontiersin.org/journals/int...

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MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · Apr 25

@drstevenkapp.bsky.social has timely new paper (w/ 600+ sources) on autism as a lifelong neurodivergence underpinned by sensory+ differences prior to & if applicable even after meeting criteria. It deconstructs "autistic regression” & challenges outgrowing autism:
www.frontiersin.org/journals/int...

Frontiers | Sensory–movement underpinnings of lifelong neurodivergence: getting a grip on autism

www.frontiersin.org

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MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · Apr 22

New papers on autistic ppl's experiences by our graduates from their @uoppald.bsky.social dissertations are temporarily free. See Beth Fearon's on puberty and adolescence (free this month) www.liebertpub.com/doi/pdf/10.1089/aut.2024.0298 & below thread for @addiebabe.bsky.social's on mental health.

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Reposted by MSc Psychology and Learning Disability

Steven Kapp @drstevenkapp.bsky.social · Apr 1

Not April Fools: @uopcidd.bsky.social has worked w/ neurodivergent ppl & local partners to co-design profiling tools. 3 temporary research assistant positions to create a website to centralise & disseminate tools+, create & maintain a database to evidence impact of benefit from tools, lead project

Centre for Interaction, Development and Diversity @uopcidd.bsky.social · Apr 1

3 temporary UK only research assistant positions, for creating & monitoring database, designing & updating website, & project lead, for profiling neurodivergent needs in school, uni & employment. CV & short expression of interest due to @eminegurbuz.bsky.social ([email protected]) by 10 April

CIDD
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR 3 RESEARCH ASSISTANT TEMPORARY POSITIONS (3 MONTHS)
Start date: 28th of April - End date 31st of July, 2025
Roles:
1. Grade 4 Research Assistant (240 hours; in total £5,460 before tax)
Creation and monitoring of database
2. Grade 4 Research Assistant (180 hours; in total £4,095 before tax)
Design and updates of the website/platform
3. Grade 5 Research Associate (120 hours; in total £3,049 before tax) -
Project lead. Postgraduate qualification (Masters) is required.
There is flexibility in how you distribute the working hours within the week over the period of employment, however your commitment will not be shorter than the duration of the project (i.e. end of July). You are welcome to apply for more than one role if you have the skills required. Please indicate this in your application. Work for all positions can be carried out online.
Project description:
Creation of a website to centralise and disseminate co-produced profiling tools, training, and open resources. A database will be created to register evidence of impact: who is benefiting from the tools hosted in this platform.

Skills required:
Role 1: Research Assistant to create and monitor databases
● Creating online questionnaires
● Analysing qualitative and quantitative data
Role 2: Research Assistant to design and update the website/platform
● IT and website developing skills
● Familiarity with programming languages
Role 3: Research Lead to liaise with the research team
● Project management skills
● Experience in carrying out empirical research projects
● Communication and team working skills

How to apply:
Please email your CV and a short Expression of Interest (one-page max) depicting how your experience and skills match with the role(s). Email both to emine.gurbuz@port.ac.uk by the 10th of April. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview on the week of 14-18th of April. Please indicate your availability for that week when you submit your application.

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MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · Mar 25

Edward Fisher is recruiting autistic adults who have been assessed by the ADOS for his @uoppald.bsky.social project, to share experiences and views. The ADOS could have been anytime (even as children) and does not need to have resulted in diagnosis. Participation options include video, audio & email

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MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · Mar 21

In honour of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, a paper accepted in Neurodiversity co-authored by our Neurodiversity Studies module coordinator
@drstevenkapp.bsky.social on neurodivergent researchers' views on what the neurodiversity movement is and what it should do free here:
oro.open.ac.uk/101508/

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MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · Mar 21

As we close Neurodiversity Celebration Week, let's observe World Down Syndrome Day 2025 with this short video, NO DECISION WITHOUT US:
youtube.com/watch?v=xRIQ...
#EndtheStereotypes
#NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek #worlddownsyndromeday2025

NO DECISION WITHOUT US | World Down Syndrome Day 2025

YouTube video by CoorDown

youtube.com

MSc Psychology and Learning Disability @uoppald.bsky.social · Mar 21

New @autisminadulthood.bsky.social paper: social and emotional impact of puberty and adolescence on autistic people assigned female at birth. Beth Fearon's @uoppald.bsky.social MSc thesis supervised by @drstevenkapp.bsky.social with @dramypearson.bsky.social.
Free: www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/...

Exploring the Social and Emotional Impact of Puberty and Adolescence on Autistic People Assigned Female at Birth | Autism in Adulthood

Background: Emerging research suggests that puberty and adolescence may be particularly difficult for autistic people assigned female at birth (AFAB), but there is currently very little exploration of...

www.liebertpub.com

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