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"This is an edited collection of human stories from trans autistic writers. The stories collected in this anthology address the struggles and joys of living at the intersection of neurodivergence and gender divergence with personal insight and nuance. They explore the positives of deep self-knowledge, belonging to a community and living a life in tune with one's inner being. They also address common struggles such as suicide, homelessness, and barriers to adequate healthcare. These are human narratives: lives filled with pain and pleasure, accomplishments and setbacks. The flesh-and-blood realities of the contributors' lives goes beyond the story told by statistics and research on the subject"--

Background. Contemporary literature indicates that there is significant support and assistance provided by schools for young autistic people, which has had a positive impact on the accessibility of jobs. Nevertheless, the employment rate of autistic people is unacceptably low in the UK. The current study investigated teachers' views on the preparation for employment of young autistic people in the UK. Methods. Interviews were conducted with individuals from the educational field and thematic analysis was used to explore the teachers' views regarding the factors that have an impact on the preparation for employment of young autistic people. Results. Four main themes emerged from the analysis. These themes included awareness, funding and government support, action plans and motivation. Conclusion. These results have critical implications for the educational field and future research, which are discussed in the paper.

AbstractBackgroundThe assessment of schizophrenia in autistic people with intellectual disabilities is challenging. This study aimed to explore the identification of schizophrenia in this population.MethodsUsing data from a clinical multi‐centre study, reported symptoms in 26 autistic individuals with intellectual disabilities diagnosed with co‐occurring schizophrenia were explored. Scores on two checklists (Psychopathology in Autism Checklist [PAC], Aberrant Behaviour Checklist [ABC]) were compared with two comparison groups: autistic individuals with intellectual disabilities and other mental disorders (94), or no mental disorder (63).ResultsReported symptoms of schizophrenia in this population met the formal diagnostic criteria. For PAC/ABC scales, only PAC psychosis differed for the schizophrenia group. Among participants with schizophrenia, two were diagnosed with additional mental disorders. Elevated scores for anxiety and depression were common.ConclusionsEmphasising core symptoms seems necessary when assessing co‐occurring schizophrenia in autistic people with intellectual disabilities. The PAC may serve as a helpful screening tool.

Background. Contemporary literature indicates that there is significant support and assistance provided by schools for young autistic people, with a positive impact on the accessibility of jobs. Nevertheless, the employment rate of autistic people is unacceptably low in the UK. The current study investigated teachers' views on the preparation for employment of young autistic people in the UK. Methods. Interviews were conducted with individuals from the educational field and thematic analysis was used to explore the teachers' views regarding the factors that could have an impact on the preparation for employment of young autistic people. Results. Four main themes emerged from the analysis of this study. These themes included awareness, funding and government support, action plans and motivation. Conclusion. The results obtained appear to have critical implications for the educational field and future research, being presented in this paper.

Preliminary Material -- A Mixture of the Strange and the Familiar -- Given Reality Autism - Facts and Figures -- On Stage The Autist, the Author, his Characters and their Props -- Body and Mind Shows The Imagination Deficit, Theory of Mind and Atmospheric Turbulence -- On Words and Clocks The Socialization Deficit and Temporal Ordering in a Community for Young Autists -- With Lacelike Precision The Communication Deficit and Autobiographical Works by Autistic People -- Autistic Company -- Notes.

Social work research should adopt a critical approach to research methodology, opposing oppression that is reproduced through epistemological assumptions or research methods and processes. However, traditional approaches to autism research have often problematised and pathologized autistic 1 individuals, reinforcing autistic people's positions as passive subjects. This has resulted in autistic people being largely excluded from the production of knowledge about autism, and about the needs of autistic people. Participatory approaches promote collaborative approaches to enquiry and posit autistic people as active co-constructors of knowledge, a stance that is congruent with social work values of social justice and liberation. However, Covid-19 is not only altering our everyday life but also upending social research. This paper discusses the challenges faced by a participatory study involving autistic people during the Covid-19 pandemic. This paper examines how Covid-19 increased the individual vulnerability of autistic participants and changed their research priorities, increased the researcher's decision-making power, and placed greater emphasis on barriers created by inaccessible methods. Covid-19 did not present novel challenges, but rather exacerbated existing tensions and inevitable challenges that are inherent in adopting an approach that aims to oppose oppression.

Visiting a city can be an exciting and overwhelming experience, especially when you have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This enlightening book provides a first-hand sensory perspective of what experiencing a city is like for someone with ASD and offers advice on how to cope in a city when you have sensory issues