Articles Autisticrealms Writing Neurodivergent Mental Health Education SEN

Autistic parent and teacher advocating for a better understanding of neurodivergence and mental health in education

My writing reflects my own experiences and thoughts.

I write about my personal journey and the understanding I have gained so far about

autism, education and mental health.

If you have any questions, please contact me.
autisticrealms@gmail.com

Articles

Book review - Autistic Burnout, Children /Young People in Education by Viv Dawes

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Jun 26, 20234 min read

Book review - Autistic Burnout, Children /Young People in Education by Viv Dawes

Supporting young people through autistic burnout requires a holistic approach that prioritizes a deep understanding of autistic identity,

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Jun 26, 20235 min read

Energy Beans & Sensory Summer Holidays

Family holidays and days out are a great way to spend time together and can create lasting memories.

Autistic & OCD - Autistic Dream Realms Project (May 2023)

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

May 21, 20232 min read

Autistic & OCD - Autistic Dream Realms Project (May 2023)

OCD commonly co-occurs amongst autistic people; research from 2015 found that 17% of autistic people also had OCD.

Autism Strengths & Challenges Papyrus Autism Acceptance Week 2023

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Apr 2, 20233 min read

Autism Strengths & Challenges Papyrus Autism Acceptance Week 2023

Autism is not an illness or a disorder, it is a different way of thinking and responding. It is important to value differences.

Low Demand Parenting (for the whole family)

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Apr 2, 20234 min read

Low Demand Parenting (for the whole family)

If you are also autistic and have neurodivergent children it can feel even more overwhelming at times. A low demand approach may help.

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Mar 31, 20239 min read

Autism & OCD - What Could Help

OCD obsessions & compulsions = disabling (negative) Autistic routines & rituals = enabling (positive)

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Mar 26, 20239 min read

Monotropism = Happy Flow State

Monotropism is like a force that draws you into a specific channel of interest, much like a river, it has momentum.

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Mar 21, 202312 min read

Autism is fluid

Autism is fluid and everyone has different needs. We need compassion and understanding to develop deep and meaningful connections.

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Mar 18, 20237 min read

Neurodivergent Friendly Classrooms

There are many ways to make schools and classrooms neurodiversity affirming and neurodivergent friendly. Teachers need to be flexible

Supporting neurodivergent students who are struggling to attend school

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Mar 7, 20237 min read

Supporting neurodivergent students who are struggling to attend school

Everyone deserves an education, but more importantly every child and family deserve to feel understood, validated and supported.

Supporting pupils through Autistic Burnout (Teacher Guide)

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Feb 10, 202317 min read

Supporting pupils through Autistic Burnout (Teacher Guide)

This article discusses what Autistic Burnout may look like & how you can support young people & their families within educational settings.

Book Review: The New Normal-Autistic musings on the threat of a broken society by David Gray-Hammond

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Feb 9, 20231 min read

Book Review: The New Normal-Autistic musings on the threat of a broken society by David Gray-Hammond

The New Normal highlights the barriers in society caused by unacceptance of difference & challenges in a society that is ‘broken by design'.

Book Review -Square Pegs, Inclusivity, Compassion & Fitting in (A guide for Schools)

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Feb 8, 20232 min read

Book Review -Square Pegs, Inclusivity, Compassion & Fitting in (A guide for Schools)

The knowledge and ideas in the new book, Square Pegs (2023) has the potential to transform our education system and support those working wi

Supporting autistic students experiencing OCD in a school setting

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Jan 29, 202312 min read

Supporting autistic students experiencing OCD in a school setting

Exploring autism, alexithymia, interoception and OCD in education. Looking at the impact on students & how teachers can support them.

OCD & Autism (mixed with alexithymia and interoception differences)

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Jan 29, 20239 min read

OCD & Autism (mixed with alexithymia and interoception differences)

Being autistic whilst experiencing OCD and co-occurring difficulties with alexithymia and interoception can be very challenging.

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Jan 15, 20235 min read

Total Communication

People's 'voices' may look and sound different depending on the person, their needs and environment. We need a total communication approach

Education Crisis - Neurodiversity Affirming Teacher Training Needed

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Jan 3, 202314 min read

Education Crisis - Neurodiversity Affirming Teacher Training Needed

Teachers need neurodiversity affirming training so they can effectively support children and their families. We need to develop teacher know

Supporting Children through Autistic Burnout (Parent/Carer Guide)

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Dec 5, 20229 min read

Supporting Children through Autistic Burnout (Parent/Carer Guide)

If your child is going through Autistic Burnout, they will need your support. They will need understanding, an increase in sensory regulatio

Language matters, relationships are essential

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Nov 29, 20223 min read

Language matters, relationships are essential

Communication doesn't always need words, but we do need language to develop understanding around neurodivergence and to advocate for change.

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Nov 28, 20225 min read

Neurodiversity - Language Matters

Language helps to validate your feelings and experiences; it helps you connect with yourself and others. Language can be empowering....

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Nov 22, 20224 min read

An Autistic Experience of Social Media

The online community supports a type of parallel play & enables a monotropic flow state. Online spaces can be more predictable & manageable

Parent ideas for autistic children struggling with school attendance

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Nov 19, 20226 min read

Parent ideas for autistic children struggling with school attendance

If your child is autistic, then they are more likely to have additional anxiety, social, communication and sensory processing difficulties.

'Profound autism' does not exist - rather there are autistic individuals with PMLD / PIMD

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Nov 18, 20226 min read

'Profound autism' does not exist - rather there are autistic individuals with PMLD / PIMD

'Profound autism' does not exist, rather there are autistic individuals with profound and multiple specific needs.

'Profound' in relation to those with PMLD / PIMD

Helen Edgar (Autistic Realms)

Nov 17, 20227 min read

'Profound' in relation to those with PMLD / PIMD

PIMD / PMLD The International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities ( Profound Intellectual...