Sign in

George Watts

@autgeek.bsky.social
933 followers 481 following 79 posts

Autistic self-advocate, PhD student, parent to autistic kids. Happily obsessed with all things autistic. They/she.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by George Watts
Helen Kara @drhelenkara.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
On 29th July, I'll be joining @katefoxwriter75.bsky.social and @autgeek.bsky.social for a free GR0VE event for neurodivergent young people. We'll be talking about our research into neurodiversity-affirming spaces and taking questions from attendees. More information: www.gr0ve.org/research-eve...
gr0ve.org
GROVE Research Event -
GROVE offers specialist Autistic-led % mentoring, peer groups and our BEING ME programme to support Autistic children and young people’s identity, self-esteem and well-being.
063
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Really looking forward to this! Do encourage your ND young people to come along! FREE EVENT FOR NEURODIVERGENT YOUNG PEOPLE AGE 12-18 29th July 2026 at 10 – 11am (approximately) - UK time www.gr0ve.org/research-eve...
gr0ve.org
GROVE Research Event -
GROVE offers specialist Autistic-led % mentoring, peer groups and our BEING ME programme to support Autistic children and young people’s identity, self-esteem and well-being.
000
Reposted by George Watts
AMASE @amase.org.uk · 03/07/2026
Helen, together with friends of AMASE @katefoxwriter75.bsky.social and @autgeek.bsky.social - and with input from our members and others - has put together a very useful definition of neurodiversity-affirming spaces, and a beautiful zine about it.
087
Reposted by George Watts
Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
I am looking forward to attending this event to learn with @drhelenkara.bsky.social, @autgeek.bsky.social and @katefoxwriter75.bsky.social www.eventbrite.com/e/presenting...
eventbrite.com
Presenting our Neurodivergent Affirming Space Research & Definition
With Dr Kate Fox & George Watts
0146
Reposted by George Watts
Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC) @salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
You can look at a digital version of the project's zine here: online.fliphtml5.com/DefiningNDAS...
online.fliphtml5.com
Defining Neurodiversity Affirming Spaces - A research zine by Helen Kara, Kate Fox & George Watts
Defining Neurodiversity Affirming Space is a research zine exploring what it really means for a space to be neurodivergent-affirming — and what neurodivergent people themselves say they need to feel s...
011
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Lovely to see this shared, thank you! The 'why' question is exactly what my PhD has been exploring ever since — I can't wait to share my findings!
130
Reposted by George Watts
Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC) @salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
🔔 Upcoming event! Defining Neurodivergent Affirming Spaces, a project by @drhelenkara.bsky.social, Dr Kate Fox and @autgeek.bsky.social. Funded by @isrfoundation.bsky.social. Free online webinar on Thursday July 16th, 6:30pm-7:30pm BST. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/presenting...
eventbrite.com
Presenting our Neurodivergent Affirming Space Research & Definition
With Dr Kate Fox & George Watts
163
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Delighted to share this chapter on #AutisticAdvocacy that I co-wrote with Gabor Petri for the Palgrave Macmillan Encyclopedia on #Disability We discuss how autistic advocacy evolved since the 1990s and barriers that still prevent autistic people from leading these conversations lnkd.in/eUQ4JmYA
lnkd.in
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
030
Reposted by George Watts
Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Great article in the latest ISRF newsletter by @autgeek.bsky.social and @drhelenkara.bsky.social - ‘Why is There So Much Research About Us Without Us?’ - on neurodivergence research funding and agendas. isrf.org/blog/why-is-... #AutRes #DisabilityStudies
isrf.org
262
Reposted by George Watts
Helen Kara @drhelenkara.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
So much research happens about us without us. @autgeek.bsky.social and I co-wrote this piece for @isrfoundation.bsky.social on why lived experience needs to be central to research, not an afterthought. isrf.org/blog/why-is-... #ResearchWithUs #ExpertsByExperience #Inclusion
isrf.org
Why Is There So Much Research About Us Without Us?
054
Reposted by George Watts
Independent Social Research Foundation @isrfoundation.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Why Is There So Much Research About Us Without Us? @drhelenkara.bsky.social and @autgeek.bsky.social outline why #neurodivergent led research is essential to building trust in communities and affirming neurodivergent ways of being. isrf.org/blog/why-is-...
isrf.org
Why Is There So Much Research About Us Without Us?
083
Reposted by George Watts
Jess @ GROVE @gr0ve.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
Would you like to contribute to a free booklet for Autistic young people? All messages will come from Autistic people. If you are not Autistic but are the caregiver of an Autistic child who would like to contribute, that’s fine - you’re welcome to help them share their message. lnkd.in/djmpg8WS
image of a child pointing towards the words 'want to contribute'
144
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
I'm so excited for this! Please share with anyone you know who might be interested!
030
Reposted by George Watts
The M-WAY Study @mwaystudy.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
New blog post! We look back at the M-WAY qualitative study - led by @schampton.bsky.social - which explored autistic young people’s experiences of anxiety & depression. Read more 👉 m-way24.blogspot.com/2025/09/look...
m-way24.blogspot.com
Looking back at the M-WAY qualitative study - and saying thank you to Sarah
In our last blog post , we shared how the bridging phase of the M-WAY study helped us move from our qualitative research into the next, q...
071
Reposted by George Watts
Nathan Keates @keatesresearch.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Next on autistic people with a learning disability from Izy Utley and @autgeek.bsky.social.
Title slide: Where are the autistic people with intellectual disability in neurodiversity research? Contradictions and future directions
031
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Do you know any autistic adults based near Dunfermline? If so then I need your help! I need a few more participants to join my study which is starting next week! Please share this poster with anyone who might be interested Feel free to email me with any questions at georgina.n.watts@durham.ac.uk
Can you help us?
We are looking for participants to attend an autistic social group and then be interviewed about their experience of the group
We are looking for people who:
Are autistic
Are aged 18 or over
Are able to understand and communicate in English (using either mouth words or AAC) 
You will be asked to:
Attend an autistic-run social group with 9 other autistic people for a total of 6 sessions.
At the end of Session 2 and Session 6 you will be asked to complete a simple diagram to show us which people (if any) you enjoyed spending time with in the group
Within two weeks of the final session you will be interviewed about your experiences of the group
The group will be held at Scottish Autism's Blue Central support base in Dunfermline, KY11 8US.
It will take place at 6.30-8 pm on Wednesday evenings on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th of May and the 11th and 18th of June
We will work with you to make taking part as accessible as possible for all group members
You will receive a £30 voucher for completing the interview.
This research is being conducted by George Watts, an autistic PhD researcher at Durham University. The research team includes a mix of autistic and non-autistic researchers from the University of Durham, University of Edinburgh and Scottish Autism. 
For more information please email georgina.n.watts@durham.ac.uk
010
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
I was out with my dog earlier and someone walking towards us said enthusiastically to their dog "look it's a lovely collie!" and then as they passed they said "Hello Collie-wobble!" to my dog (who is indeed a collie) while completely ignoring me. I like this stranger a lot, it made my day.
030
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
Being autistic often feels like being the kid in The Emperor's New Clothes; people don't like it if you point out the obvious and it's very confusing that everyone insists on pretending the obvious isn't true just to maintain expected social conventions
051
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
Is my mental health terrible or did I just forget to eat again? - an autistic memoir.
040
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
I'll have you know these are my emotional support fish fingers and custard. That is all.
130
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
I now have photographic evidence of this phenomenon! I also have more questions.
Blue upholstered bus seats to which colourful and rather bizarre looking rubber chickens have been attached at the aisle end of each row of seats.
182
Reposted by George Watts
Matthew Broberg-Moffitt (any/all) @mbrobergmoffitt.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
I’m a non-binary Autistic classically trained chef and author! I wrote a food aversion acceptance cookbook and guide titled COLOR TASTE TEXTURE! It’s all about learning how to make food work to your needs, for all ages and all levels of cooking ability (even those who’ve never cooked before).
penguinrandomhouse.com
Color Taste Texture by Matthew Broberg-Moffitt: 9780593538593 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
An accessible family cookbook that offers solutions rather than tricks to empower the food-averse, autistic, and picky eater, with 46 recipes. This much-needed cookbook combines tips and techniques.....
11280150
Reposted by George Watts
Sarah Boon - Author @saraheboon.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
So Autism Speaks Canada is ceasing operations tomorrow and Spectrum 10K has closed today. What a brilliant week for moving towards autistic liberation.
1628451
Reposted by George Watts
Steven Kapp @drstevenkapp.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Congrats to @kmunday.bsky.social and all of us in autism community who helped to #StopSpectrum10K. Today the S10K team announced study's cancellation. See the report from Hopkins Van Mil and Karen Leneh Buckle, and a reflective blog by Simon Baron-Cohen: www.autismresearchcentre.com/projects/spe...
autismresearchcentre.com
Spectrum 10K - Autism Research Centre
Statement from the Spectrum 10K research team, 30th January 2025 Today we are publishing the Spectrum 10K consultation report and announcing the next steps for the project. We know this announcement h...
58726
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Important announcement: My mother has just informed me that there are small buses running in our local area which do not have bells any to let the driver know when people want to get off. One enterprising driver has solved this problem by installing rubber chickens for people to squeeze instead!
220
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Finally on train home. Giving off my best 'please leave me alone or I might cry or bite you' vibes. Contemplating how people likely perceive me as having low support needs when I'm standing up there speaking about my research but they don't see me at times like now.
120
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
I really enjoyed delivering training for the Therapist Neurodiversity Collective last night and speaking about my research at the @scottishautism.bsky.social Centre for Practice Policy and Research launch today.
120
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
My kids to their therapists in 20 years time: "... and every time there was a big storm they would tell us the same story about The Great Storm of '87 and force us to listen to 'John Kettley is a Weatherman', I wasn't born until 2018 but I still have nightmares about Michael Fish 😭😭😭"
110
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
I have now had emails from school, uni, an after school activity club and even my local village hall saying everything planned for tomorrow is cancelled due to the severe weather warning. Tomorrow is officially a pyjama day. Let's hope the power isn't down for too long this time.
120
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 23/12/2024
Just realised what I remind myself of. I'm sick in bed and croakily trying to call my eldest in the hope I might get made a cuppa - I sound exactly like the mother in law in Allo Allo: "Will nobody hear the cries of a poor old woman?!"
050
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 21/12/2024
Merry Maskin' - the traditional festive greeting between autistic folk
Screenshot of a product named Merry Maskin', it has a red background decorated with white stars and in smaller print says Festive Sheet Mask and Merry Christmas x
041
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
I can do all things through the power of galloping anxiety 🫠
130
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Remind me to book time off next December. Also please don't tell me that you've already stopped work for the holidays, I am happy for you but also right now I will hate you for it.
000
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
Some people are dog people, some prefer cats, some like both or none at all. Most folk are ok with this, we don't say those who like both are faking it and must be dog people! We accept some of us just aren't pet people. Is it really so much harder to accept different sexualities in the same way?
010
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 14/12/2024
I feel like the frequency of saying "I can't believe it's nearly Christmas" increases slightly every day in December.
010
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
What did I even used to tweet about? I'm out of the habit now and everything seems like a bad idea!
110
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
I've been mulling over whether it's fair to suggest that if you can pay a company without using the phone then you should also be able to reach customer services without having to be able to make phone calls?
150
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
Today in #EverydayAbleism apparently you can only inform SP Energy of a power cut by phone. It's not clear if anyone monitors their emails at weekends and being on their priority register doesn't seem to make any difference.
240
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
I got excited when the physio self-referral form (which it's taken me approx 3 months of being in low level but ongoing pain to fill in) asked me if I had any communication needs - finally somewhere to say I can't use the phone so then they'll know and they'll email or text me instead right! Right?
261
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
I feel like I should get more credit for all the things I manage to refrain from saying.
020
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
Defining autistic wellbeing according to non autistic standards is like measuring if a cat is happy by looking at whether it's wagging its tail.
020
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
It's reached the stage where everything not urgent is now a January problem. January me is gonna hate me.
020
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Agreed. I'd like to go back to using emojis as tone indicators more but don't they also make things less accessible for people who use screen readers? Is there a solution to this?
100
Reposted by George Watts
Fergus Murray @oolong.co.uk · 25/11/2024
This is kind of a call to action (although it's also a very long essay, I do know these things are in tension). What Wikipedia says about #autism is profoundly important in shaping what people think about #autistic people. Unfortunately, much of it is terrible, and it misses many key things. Help?
97230
Reposted by George Watts
Angie "Big spooky fan, me" Words @angiewords.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
If anyone ever wonders why I headcannon Aziraphale as autistic and Crowley as ADHD, I'm going to point to this gif Look at the autistic response to an unexpected, loud noise Look at that ADHD response to a vibrant surprise
1266
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
I'm also a bit confused as to why people who I don't think I know from the other place or anywhere are following me on here? I haven't even gotten around to writing a bio yet...
100
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
I really want to start being active here but there's also approximately 173 other things I want to do with the small amount of downtime I can eek out so I mostly just think about being on here at times when it's not possible.
010
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
I must say my dominant feeling after spending my first hour on here is one of relief.
080
George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
Apparently this is now the place to be. People say Bluesky is like Twitter used to be. My first impressions are good but I'm cautious about getting my hopes up bc I loved Twitter intensely, I connected with so many amazing people there and really these last years I've been mourning that experience.
3100