The Map of Monotropic Experiences:
Reframing Autism Through A
Neurodiversity-Affirming Lens
Training for Professionals, Families and Community Groups
to Support Autistic People
At Autistic Realms and Stimpunks, we believe in telling our own stories and validating each others experiences. The Map of Monotropic Experiences is a collaborative project by Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms) and the Stimpunks Foundation (Ryan Boren, Norah Hobbs and Chelsea Adams), created by and for Autistic people.
I created the original map in 2024 as a reflection of my own monotropic experiences. This was inspired by Gemma Correll’s A Map of Procrastination.
We have developed this further and are offering a space for everyone to reflect on their authentic identity as Autistic/ADHD people and discover how embracing the theory of monotropism may help develop a stronger understanding of identity and support well-being.
Our training helps to reframe how we understand ourselves and Autistic people, not through the deficit-focused lens of traditional autism research, but through lived experience and Autistic voices.
Our open source training offers a radical, affirming reframe of Autism, grounded in the theory of monotropism — a way of understanding the deep, focused attention patterns common among Autistic and ADHD individuals.
Rather than seeing Autistic traits as deficits, monotropism recognises our monotropic “interest-based nervous system” as a natural and meaningful way of engaging with the world.
At the heart of our work is the importance of embracing authentic Autistic identity, not as something broken or needing correction, but as a valuable and vibrant way of being. Building strong community connections and validating lived experiences are central to this journey.
You’ll Learn To:
✅ Understand the theory of monotropism and the importance of flow
✅ Recognise how environments can create “stuck states”
✅ Explore the detrimental impact of neuronormative domination on Autistic well-being
✅ Create flow-supportive environments where ALL minds can thrive
✅ Understand intersectionality and the Double Empathy Problem for deeper inclusion
✅ Celebrate authentic Autistic identity and the strength of community storytelling and shared experiences
Perfect for: schools, healthcare settings, workplaces, and community networks.
A creative tool for reflection, connection, and meaningful change.
Timing and Preparation: The training content is approximately 4,000 words, designed to cover around 45 minutes of presentation time.
Delivered live as a workshop with space for discussion and Q&A, it typically runs for 1-2 hours and can be expanded into a full-day session if preferred.
Get the Training
Here’s an embedded preview of the training slides:
Download the full training pack here.
The Map of Monotropic Experiences Training Pack consists of:
1 x PDF version with presenter notes and suggestions
1 x PDF version slides only
1 x PowerPoint
1x PDF script only
A suggested donation for organisations and professionals is $100 (£75 GBP). This is also available as free open-source training for individuals and those with limited funds through Autistic Realms and Stimpunks.
Get the Workbook
My Monotropic Map: Understanding and Embracing Our Unique Flow
A creative, neuroaffirming workbook for Autistic people of all ages, and those who support them
Our interactive workbook brings the Map of Monotropic Experiences to life as a practical and reflective guide for exploring how Autistic attention, sensory systems, and energy flow. It includes engaging activities designed to support personal insight and promote wellbeing through meaningful, affirming strategies.
What’s Inside:
- Themed chapters based on key aspects of monotropism
- A wide range of accessible reflective questions and practical creative activities to support self-understanding and communication
- Original metaphors and illustrations that make complex ideas easier to grasp
- Co-reflection tasks and collaborative prompts for family members, carers, educators, or support workers
- Grounded in lived experience, affirming language, and neurodiversity-affirming approaches
Whether you’re an Autistic adult, young person, parent/carer, teacher, counsellor or therapist, this workbook supports deeper understanding, more effective communication, and pathways to wellbeing.
Explore Autistic passions, time spirals, attention tunnels, burnout and more through a compassionate and strengths-based lens.
Available as a downloadable PDF
Digital Downloads
Maps & Posters For Your Setting
Feedback
We hope you find this training valuable. We welcome you to share how you have used our resources and how they may have benefited you, those you support, or your community.
Please share your feedback.
Want to know more about monotropism?
Autistic Realms
Stimpunks
Monotropism.org
Follow: Monotropism.org on Bluesky
More Maps?
Check out:
A Map of Procrastination: https://www.facebook.com/gemmacorrell (Gemma Correll’s amazing work inspired our Map of Monotropic Experiences, which was first published on 20th Oct 2024 via Autistic Realms).
The Land of Autistic Communication: https://www.assistiveware.com/autism-acceptance-communication
