iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

What happens to caregivers' work lives when their children struggle to or are unable to attend school? Here is the link for the questionnaire: uofg.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_... For additional information, you can visit our website: www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/... #GhostParents #EBSNA

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

#GhostParents What happens to caregivers' work lives when their children struggle to or are unable to attend school? If you live in the UK and have a child who struggles to attend school or does not attend at all, we invite you to complete our questionnaire. uofg.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

uofg.qualtrics.com

Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

Someone might be sad about this situation.

Child’s Spider-Man glove on a metal fence post. It looks lost.

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Gingerbread love lost in the muddy grass.

Small gray and red plastic gingerbread man with a yellow heart in the middle. It’s lost, lying in muddy grass.

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

We encountered police Mickey on a winter walk today.

A Mickey Mouse figure dressed as a police officer sits on a park placard in bright sunshine.

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Reposted by Melea Press (she/her)

Megan Piontkowski Illustration @meganpiont.bsky.social · 12/10/2025

I was commissioned to make a zine for the No Kings 2 protest on Saturday Oct 18th! If you wonder “what can I do?” this zine is for you. It’s packed with things that you can do from wearing a “no ICE” pin to organizing a visibility brigade with your friends. drive.google.com/file/d/1TJnH...

Hand holding a black and white illustrated zine of two people holding signs that say “we marched! Now what?”

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

When your friend gives you the gift of a snuggle visit! So much awwwww!!!!

Tiny adorable tabby kitten with closed eyes snuggled in the arm crook of a female wearing a bright green hoodie.

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Glasgow penguins with sunflower tree

Tiny clay penguins looking at a giant clay sunflower.

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

Sometimes you need to say it as it is.

A grey dumpster with “trash” spray painted on it in white. It is next to another dumpster and in the background you can see a building with reflective glass, a low wall and a street.

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Meta-Glasgow. A sticker of a photo of some people hoisting a traffic cone onto THE statue.

Sticker of a black and white photo with an orange traffic cone. People are hoisting the cone onto the head of a statue of a guy on a horse. Stick to a grey metal slab.

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

We need to preserve academic integrity, which, as it turns out, it closely linked with judicial integrity and due process. If it can happen to one person, it can happen to anyone.

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

Food for thought about identities that don’t fit in the box.

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

When you are constantly under scrutiny, even small mistakes are blown up into catastrophes and life feels (and is) unsafe. The cascade of stress and mental health decline is inevitable. We must acknowledge the privilege of having space to try things out.

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

Potato painted like a superhero, perched on a metal fence.

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

Small gummy candy pizza in a small pizza box with a clear window that shows the candy pizza.

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

Close up of part of graffiti art. A red background w a light blue square. In the center is a small red square. Black lines outline a square in the middle and draw many connecting lines to the small square inside.

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

How do you think the mental health crisis in young people would be affected if adults listened closely to children about their desires, fears, and support needs - and acted?! #safety #GhostParents #autistic #PDA

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

Tiny penguins in a small cave holding anti-tariff signs

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

There are 1000s of parents in the UK right now being blamed, shamed, and gaslighted because they are trying to save their likely neurodivergent children from trauma and burnout from school. Some parents face fines and threats of jail, others are just ignored. No one blames the schooling system.

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

It was not without some irony that I delivered a Psychological Safety workshop last week. I am American, living in the UK. I don't know how anyone can feel safe right now. ...and, I see the value of being present with our colleagues, friends, and family. #Safety #Neuroconvergence #EQ

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Rescinding Scientific Integrity Policies because they do not align with political goals is dangerous for everyone -- for every citizen across the globe whose life has been touched by academic 'evidence-based' research (i.e., everyone). This is a disgrace. grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...

grants.nih.gov

NOT-OD-25-080: Rescission of the Final Scientific Integrity Policy of the National Institutes of Health

NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Rescission of the Final Scientific Integrity Policy of the National Institutes of Health NOT-OD-25-080. OD

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Today I got to lead a psychological safety workshop for over 100 people. It’s a wonderful way to demonstrate that everyone has unique needs. This is #neuroconvergence.

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Reposted by Melea Press (she/her)

Bylines Scotland @bylines.scot · 21/03/2025

Really interesting read. 👇 "Children will learn when they want to learn, but if you keep penalising them, and their parents who are doing their best, we’re not going to get anywhere. I feel passionately about it because I’ve had personal experience.”

theguardian.com

Anna Maxwell Martin calls for end to ‘cruel, idiotic’ fines for school absence

Exclusive: actor says experience of school refusal showed her more compassion is needed, not exclusions

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

In my #GhostParent interviews, I keep hearing from parents who are 'flying under the radar' - moving and not registering kids for school. So not facing more school trauma. Families are not gaslighted or dismissed, but they are also more isolated. Yes, it seems to be worth it. #PDA #EBSNA #Autistic

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Academic researchers need access to what has come before. We do not do science based on whim, we do it based on work. We do not always agree with the past, but we must critically engage with it. #AcademicResearch #Science #Facts #CriticalEngagement #Access

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Today I was asked what tools/support neurodivergent students need when leaving Uni. Really!?! What they need is to have the stress, anxiety and self doubt removed so they can have a chance to see their amazing ND selves as they really are. #higherEd #trauma #autistic #neurodivergent #CultureChange

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

What do we do when the whole world seems to be falling apart? How do we continue to work for social justice in our big and small ways? Maybe we just try to get through the day and know that we aren't alone in our very justified fears. The divisions are bringing us together. #UndauntedTogether

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Thanks @beckyrwhin.bsky.social - this is a beautiful representation of what I see in my #GhostParent research.

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

#Autistic and #PDA people and parents: how do you stay present in your life, while also doing something about the state of the world? Is it even possible? #balance #SocialJustice #Activism @profkrc.bsky.social @dyscluded.bsky.social @arielvanspronsen.com @drsonny.bsky.social @fergus.oolong.co.uk

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

I research #GhostParents. My work explores the lived experience of parenting children who struggle to or cannot attend school. You know, our star kids, the ones whose beautiful pointy bits don't fit into the box. It is humbling to hear these unheard voices. #autistic #PDA #SquarePeg #SchoolExclusion

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

I just re-read Neuroqueer Heresies by @dr-nicky.bsky.social. This time what struck me is how parents of neurodivergent kids are disabled by society. We don't often talk about associative disabling, but this is loud and clear in my #GhostParent research. #autistic #pda #DisabledBySociety

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Children must thrive in their main places - primary home, school, secondary home. If they are not ok in one setting, they are not ok. This is 'life and death' crucial for neurodivergent kids. Behaviors = communication. #GhostParents #autism #pda #adhd #SchoolExclusion #ParentBlame #MentalHealth

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

@marcelias.bsky.social for this beautiful demonstration of the importance of immigrants to the development of the United States and one way that intergenerational trauma can be harnessed for social justice. It shows the resilience and creativity of humanity. www.democracydocket.com/opinion/my-o...

democracydocket.com

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Creativity, including thinking & engaging with the world in different ways is exactly what is needed right now. #neurodivergent #UndauntedTogether #SocialJustice #ArtAgainstEvil

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Most academics are monotropic. We focus intensely on OUR research areas. Imagine what would happen if our research questions came directly from social need and were reported back to society in relevant language. #AcademicActivism #impact #academia #research #autistic #ND #DoBetter

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

To all the parents whose kids struggle to or cannot attend school, it's Friday. I hope you can find space for a deep breath this weekend. I see you, how hard you try and how much love (and rage) you have in your heart. #autism #PDA #GhostParent

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

I want to shout out Trauma Geek for the thoughtful and inclusive work they are doing on neurodiversity and trauma. They are providing education steeped in academic research and lived experience. www.traumageek.com

traumageek.com

Trauma Geek - Janae Elisabeth

Neuroscience education and support for parents and helping professionals

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

I research the lived experience of parents with children who struggle to or cannot attend school. I call us #GhostParents. Please get in touch if you want to participate in this work. My ethics approval is for any English speakers. We must stop #parentblame. #autism #audhd #pda #ghostparents

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Melea Press (she/her) @meleapress.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

I feel a moral responsibility because of my power as an academic 'expert' with a PhD and the legitimacy to be heard. This is a privilege I do not have as a mother. Lived experience matters. Being heard matters. Dismissing parents disables our children. It's just not ok. #PDA #autism #GhostParents

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