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Autistic Realms News!

Autistic Realms

Helen Edgar
Autistic Advocate, Author & Consultant

Neurodiversity-Affirming Support
Supporting Autistic People Thrive And Grow

Welcome to Autistic Realms Newsletter!

I have two new blogs about monotropic time and how neurodivergent people may perceive time differently. Depending on how much time you have, there is a long version and a shorter version!

“For many of us who are Autistic, ADHD, or AuDHD, time is not a straight line. It spirals, loops, expands, contracts…..”


Last month I presented at the National Autistic Society Professional’s Conference alongside Tanya Adkin. Our blog is now published on their website with all other conference material for those who have tickets.

An edited version of our blog is available on Autistic Realms: Neuro-affirming research into practice – monotropism in the classroom and beyond.


Upcoming Webinars


Upcoming webinar with David Gray-Hammond and Tanya Adkin.
Autistic Wellbeing Series – Autism Awareness or Autism Acceptance?
16th April 6pm GMT.


What does it really mean to move from awareness to acceptance—and why does it matter?

We are offering a free wellbeing workbook to accompany the webinar and you will get a free ebook after the event too!

Tickets selling fast so please book yours now if you want to join us (recording available for ticket holders).

I will be facilitating a room in Thriving Autistic’s Monthly Meet-Ups for Autistic Adults.

Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2025
Time:19:00 – 20:15 BST

Topic: Navigating the barriers to education as an Autistic family, exploring monotropism and finding support.

A space to discuss why so many Autistic families like ours are struggling in the education system – burntout parents and burnout children. We will explore if an understanding of the theory of monotropism could help at home/school and share stories. I have lots of signposting and resources to share about this.(It has been inspired by last months new DFE campaign about school readiness and a new attendance campaign in UK but is relevant for all those outside of UK too.

In summary: We need to dismantle ableism and embrace neuro-affirming practice!)

Join our Thriving Autistic community for a relaxed monthly meet-up. Connect, share, and explore with Autistic professionals and peers!

National Neurodiversity Awards

It is soon time for the National Neurodiversity Awards. It is an honour to have been nominated for the second year. If you’d like to vote for me or anyone else please follow the link – many thanks!

Newly published research related to Autistic Experience (and some specifically related to Monotropism!)



Ansuini, A. (2025). Countering Compulsory Neurotypicality: How Online Communities Foster Creative Practice for Neurodivergent Youth. In: Castro, J.C., Black, J. (eds) Navigating the Online Networks of Young Creators. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-83541-4_7

Cook, B. (2025, April 9). Monotropism reflected in the communication style of artistic expression. Stimpunks Foundation. https://stimpunks.org/2025/04/09/monotropism-reflected-in-the-communication-style-of-artistic-expression/

Looking forward to sharing more blogs, resources, research and upcoming events soon!

If you find this news letter valuable please do share and encourage people to sign up and visit Autistic Realms.

Best Wishes,

Helen


Latest Posts

  • Autistic Burnout – Supporting Young People At Home & School

    Autistic Burnout – Supporting Young People At Home & School

    Autistic burnout in young people is real—and recovery starts with understanding. This post offers neuroaffirming ways to spot the signs, reduce demands, and truly support. 💛 #AutisticBurnout #Neuroaffirming #Monotropism #AutisticSupport


  • Monotropic Interests and Looping Thoughts

    Monotropic Interests and Looping Thoughts

    The theory of monotropism was developed by Murray, Lawson and Lesser in their article, Attention, monotropism and the diagnostic criteria for autism (2005). ​ Monotropism is increasingly considered to be the underlying principle behind autism and is becoming more widely recognised, especially within autistic and neurodivergent communities. Fergus Murray, in their article Me and Monotropism:…


  • Map of Monotropic Experiences

    Map of Monotropic Experiences

    Monotropism seeks to explain Autism in terms of attention distribution and interests.  OSF Preprints | Development and Validation of a Novel Self-Report Measure of Monotropism in Autistic and Non-Autistic People: The Monotropism Questionnaire This map highlights 20 common aspects of my personal monotropic experiences. How many do you experience? Where are you on the map…


  • Autistic Burnout – Supporting Young People At Home & School

    Autistic Burnout – Supporting Young People At Home & School

    Being autistic is not an illness or a disorder in itself, but being autistic can have an impact on a person’s mental and physical health. This is due to the often unmet needs of living in a world that is generally designed for the well-being of people who are not autistic. In addition, three-quarters of…


  • The Double Empathy Problem is DEEP

    The Double Empathy Problem is DEEP

    “The growing cracks in the thin veneer of our “civilised” economic and social operating model are impossible to ignore”, Jorn Bettin (2021). The double empathy problem (Milton, 2012) creates a gap of disconnect experienced between people due to misunderstood shared lived experiences. It is “a breakdown in reciprocity and mutual understanding that can happen between people…


  • Top 5 Neurodivergent-Informed Strategies

    Top 5 Neurodivergent-Informed Strategies

    Top 5 Neurodivergent-Informed Strategies By Helen Edgar, Autistic Realms, June 2024. 1. Be Kind Take time to listen and be with people in meaningful ways to help bridge the Double Empathy Problem (Milton, 2012). Be embodied and listen not only to people’s words but also to their bodies and sensory systems. Be responsive to people’s…


  • Autistic Community: Connections and Becoming

    Autistic Community: Connections and Becoming

    Everyone seeks connection in some way or another. Connections may look different for autistic people. In line with the motto from Anna Freud’s National Autism Trainer Programme (Acceptance, Belonging and Connection), creating a sense of acceptance and belonging is likely to be more meaningful for autistic people than putting pressure on them to try and…


  • Monotropism, Autism & OCD

    Monotropism, Autism & OCD

    This blog has been inspired by Dr Jeremy Shuman’s (PsyD) presentation, ‘Neurodiversity-Affirming OCD Care‘ (August 2023), available here. Exploring similarities and differences between Autistic and OCD monotropic flow states. Can attention tunnels freeze, and thoughts get stuck? Autism research is shifting; many people are moving away from the medical deficit model and seeing the value…


  • Monotropism Questionnaire & Inner Autistic/ADHD Experiences

    Monotropism Questionnaire & Inner Autistic/ADHD Experiences

     Post first published 28th July 2023 Over the past few weeks, there has been a sudden surge of interest in the Monotropism Questionnaire (MQ), pre-print released in June 2023 in the research paper ‘Development and Validation of a Novel Self-Report Measure of Monotropism in Autistic and Non-Autistic People: The Monotropism Questionnaire.‘ by Garau, V., Murray,…


  • Penguin Pebbling: An Autistic Love Language

    Penguin Pebbling: An Autistic Love Language

    Penguin Pebbling is a neurodivergent way of showing you care, like sharing a meme or twig or pretty stone to say “I’m thinking of you,” inspired by penguins who gift pebbles to those they care about.


  • Discovering Belonging: Creating Neuro-Affirming Animations with Thriving Autistic

    Discovering Belonging: Creating Neuro-Affirming Animations with Thriving Autistic

    Discovering Belonging: Neuro-Affirming Animations with Thriving Autistic. Celebrate Autistic identity through the Discovery Programme and new animations that explore belonging, strengths, and community.


  • Being Autistic shapes grief: Explore unique paths through loss and affirming support

    Being Autistic shapes grief: Explore unique paths through loss and affirming support

    Explore how Autistic people experience grief differently and discover affirming resources, support, and strategies for navigating loss with compassion.


  • Reflections on the Autistic Mental Health Conference 2025

    Reflections on the Autistic Mental Health Conference 2025

    Reflections On The Autistic Mental Health Conference. An Interview between David Gray-Hammond & Helen Edgar


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