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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

Exactly! annoys me when people make assumptions without considering what is meaningful to the autistic person. I had a teenager who is sensitive to & avoids lots of sounds but loves listening to & going to heavy metal music festivals. People response to her was ‘you can’t be sensitive to sounds’ 🙄

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

Any OTs that have done a MSc in Autism in the UK? I work for the NHS supporting Autistic children & young people and I am really keen to take this further and do a research project. Trying to find a suitable master. Need to be part time and long distance. #OccupationalTherapy

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Rant incoming…. Can we please stop telling ND children to ‘cope’. I am seeing so many children who’re experiencing burnout out because all that time where they’ve been trying to cope have caught up with them. Stop using ‘cope’ in goals & start using ‘comfortable’ or ‘thrive’. #OccupationalTherapy

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

Please have your say on the use of restraints in schools. Closing date is the 29th April 2025. SEND children are more likely to be restrained and this is not acceptable. consult.education.gov.uk/behaviour-un...

consult.education.gov.uk

Revised use of reasonable force and other restrictive interventions in schools guidance - Department for Education - Citizen Space

Find and participate in consultations run by the Department for Education

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Done - you have been added to starter pack 2

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Another sunny day, perfect for a long dog walk #nature #dogwalk

Gravel path with trees on either side and a bright blue sky.

Shady area of a wood with a small brook.

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Please contact @ot-expert.bsky.social if you can help 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

The clouds has broken up and look at that vibrant blue sky 😍 #nature #NewForest #dogswalks

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Even on a cold, cloudy day, you can’t hide the beauty of the New Forest 🌳

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

For a change, we went for a brisk walk by the sea 😍 #dogs #nature #beach

A row of beach huts against a dull cloudy sky background

A dog standing on a pebbled beach with a row of beach huts in the background.

A row of beach huts lined up on the right then a pebbly beach leading to the sea.

A grassy verge with a wooden bridge and in the background is a row of beach huts with one single tree standing proud.

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

and @keirwales.bsky.social starter pack for Mental Health Occupational Therapy: go.bsky.app/FzgoGFL Alternatively go to our profile pages, click on starter packs then click on the starter pack you want to join. Hope this helps! #OccupationalTherapy

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Also check out @ot-expert.bsky.social starter pack for a list of Neurodivergent Occupational Therapists: go.bsky.app/Aqeu2mo

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Occupational Therapy starter pack 2 - this is currently at 114 OTs. Please let me know if you like to be added to the pack: go.bsky.app/BMUaY5w

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Occupational Therapy starter pack 1 - this is full with 150 OTs: go.bsky.app/7NRM4Bm

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

#OccupationalTherapists: If you are new to BlueSky and you are looking to connect with other OTs, the best way to find and follow them is by clicking on ‘starter packs’ (you will then follow everyone listed in the pack). Each starter pack has up to 150 people.

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Thanks, I didn’t realise she on BSky. We followed each other before on Twitter.

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

You are welcome. Enjoy Bsky, so much nicer than the one who shall not be named 😂

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

I have replied to your other message on how to do this.

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

You can access it from my profile page as you will see a bar where it says ‘post’, ‘replies’, ‘media’s etc. and ‘starter packs’. Click on it then click on the pack you want to join and then in top right corner click on ‘follow all’.

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

Icy cold walk in the New Forest but what a beautiful day 😍😍😍 #LoveNature

Wide path with a forest at the end and bright blue sky.

In a wood with sunlight appearing between the trees.

A slope with trees going up to the top with the sun appearing between the trees. A dog wearing a green coat looking up at the trees.

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

A cold but sunny walk in the New Forest! Love views like this 😍 #dogs #nature #walks

A photo looking through trees and shrubs and in the distance are two horses - one is standing and the other is lying down.

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

That’s awful but I have seen it happen. I once went with a friend for moral support and the doctor spoke to me instead of my friend thinking I was her carer. I was so annoyed I told them firmly I am not the patient so talk to my friend. Then I put in a complaint with the hospital. There is no excuse

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

Absolutely. Waiting rooms are the worse for me.

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

Mine too but for different reasons - I am deaf so trying to get any medical appointments without having to phone is so difficult

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

Never too late. I have added you to starter pack 2

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Reposted by Susan Griffiths

Autastic® @autastic.com · 04/12/2024

Stigma along with the professional's assuredness that their training was complete and accurate when in fact training omits a massive % of autistic experience, refutes or negates, is based on observation rather than lived experience, etc. It's a HUGE misalignment in care.

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Reposted by Susan Griffiths

Caroline Hearst @autismmatters.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

I think its similar to the reason women are not believed by men because we have different experiences that the person that needs to do the believing. In the case of doctors we also have atypical responses to meds, and they privilege their theory over our practical experience.

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Reposted by Susan Griffiths

Autastic® @autastic.com · 04/12/2024

...access needs we may have. Ask every time as life is different on different days. I don't speak for all of us. The above very likely doesn't represent a great % of us so ask. None of this touches on actual treatment but if we can't make and get to the appt, we can't access treatment.

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Reposted by Susan Griffiths

Autastic® @autastic.com · 04/12/2024

...clear written pre-appointment checklists to allow us to gather info in advance, set up appointment systems that allow us to email, text, or use an app (you likely already have some of those methods in place but not for appts), offer to dim the lights, turn off music, ask if there are other...

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Reposted by Susan Griffiths

Autastic® @autastic.com · 04/12/2024

...pinpoint what's going on in our bodies, identify the sensation, translate it so you'll understand, etc. All while you're under time pressure to get a response and move forward. That pain scale btw? Toss that thing in the trash. Our bodies don't work like that. Suggestions? Establish simple...

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Reposted by Susan Griffiths

Autastic® @autastic.com · 04/12/2024

... energy, we don't engage fully in the medical appt itself. Like, how can I tell you if I feel a thing when my brain is busy trying to get you to hear me? Then there's alexithymia which means you can ask questions but we need time and space to be able to translate what you mean then to...

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Reposted by Susan Griffiths

Autastic® @autastic.com · 04/12/2024

Then we have the communication gaps that are invisible to allistics but painfully clear to us. We over prepare, researching so we have knowledge to know what you're asking, prepping responses in ways we'll be heard, speaking/masking in ways to keep you from getting annoyed and expending so much...

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Reposted by Susan Griffiths

Autastic® @autastic.com · 04/12/2024

Where do we begin? There are barriers to making appointments. Phone call can be a nightmare of pacing, turn taking, unclear questions, misinterpreted responses, assumptions, hold muzak, and on and on. When online options are offered, it seems most are a means to tell you to call the office.

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Autistic SPACE: a novel framework for meeting the needs of autistic people in healthcare settings | British Journal of Hospital Medicine

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Barriers to healthcare and a ‘triple empathy problem’ may lead to adverse outcomes for autistic adults: A qualitative study - Sebastian CK Shaw, Laura Carravallah, Mona Johnson, Jane O’Sullivan, Nicholas Chown, Stuart Neilson, Mary Doherty, 2024

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Thank you for all your contributions. Please do keep the chat going. If you interested in finding out more about autistic experiences of accessing healthcare and what all healthcare professionals can do to improve health outcomes, below are two must read articles:

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

This is a must and should be standard practice but sadly it is not. Also need to provide them more information about the appointment itself - where is it going to take place, what are the sensory challenges, who are they going to see, what exactly is going to happen, etc.

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

She has. I will be sharing her research at the end of this chat.

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Pain is a big factor when one. More research is needed on autistic people experiences of pain and education for the HCPs.

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Our final question: What can we do as Occupational Therapists to reduce these barriers and improve health outcomes for autistic people? #OTChat

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Definitely. I hear from so many autistic children that they have not found CAMHS helpful mainly because they used neurotypical MH strategies

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Yes and they get sent on parenting courses as if that will solve everything 🫣

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Susan Griffiths @otsusangriffiths.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Yes definitely. Also applies to me as a deaf person. So frustrating when there are so many different ways of contacting without relying on phone

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