iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 24/02/2026

Thanks for adding your own experience! It's great to hear how this resonates with different people

Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 09/02/2026

💬 Interviews explore barriers, facilitators & ways forward. 🔐 No sensitive information about schools, students, or staff will be collected. Any identifying details disclosed will be removed from reports and publications. ✅ Study has received ethical approval from the University of Birmingham.

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 09/02/2026

📚Little research exists on how schools support students who are both autistic & nonbinary, even though teachers already navigate this. I’m a doctoral researcher at University of Birmingham, recruiting secondary teachers for interviews. #AutRes 🎬CPD video provided 🔎https://thegoo.se/teachers-info

Research poster seeking secondary teachers for a study on inclusion for autistic nonbinary students, with further information accessible via a QR code and link.

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 07/01/2026

Recommendations if this approach is to work. Thank you for reading!

What's needed for this approach to work? Clear national direction and adequate funding Regular review so report stays responsive Genuine co-production with neurodivergent people

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 07/01/2026

Key takeaways: 🌱 Promising but fragile ➕ Should complement, not replace, diagnosis 👥 Must be genuinely co-produced thegoo.se/2026/01/07/t...

A notepad-style graphic with key findings and recommendations. The approach is: Promising but fragile. Approaches should complement, not replace, diagnosis. Will only work with genuine collaboration.

What did participants see as potential strengths? Support could happen earlier Young people and families could have an active role in decision-making More neuroaffirming than deficit models Looks beyond attainment to the whole person

A quote from a neurodivergent parent: My child’s school supported us to get a referral for a formal autism assessment, but didn’t know how to actually support them day to day. If the tool is genuinely neurodiversity-affirming, it would have helped the teachers know what to do (#20, Neurodivergent parent, aged 35-44).

Key concerns raised: Ongoing misunderstandings of neurodivergence in schools Risk of losing protections linked to diagnosis Masking, multiple neurodivergences and cultural differences being missed Limited funding, training and capacity in schools

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 07/01/2026

Thanks to everyone who took part in this research I led for the Neurodivergent Task & Finish Group! We explored neurodivergent perspectives on a strengths & needs-led approach in schools—support that focuses on strengths and support needs, and can be used without waiting for a diagnosis.

A diverse group of people is depicted under a title 'What do neurodivergent people think about strengths and needs-led approaches to identifying support in schools?' The project was led by a team at the University of Birmingham: Charlotte Brooks, Nikki Smith, Prof. Laura Crane and Prof. Karen Guldberg

Why look beyond diagnosis? Diagnosis waits often delay meaningful help. Schools may recognise needs, but lack day-to-day strategies. Neurodivergent voices are often missing from system design.

What is a strengths and needs-led approach? Identifies a young person’s strengths and support needs. Does not require a diagnosis first Looks at the whole person, not just school attainment. This approach has already been implemented in different ways. In our study, we were interested in what people thought about the ideas behind the approach more generally.

Who took part in the survey? 38 neurodivergent participants took part in our survey. Mostly autistic and neurodivergent in multiple ways. Largest represented age group were young people (aged 16-24). Many were also parents or worked with neurodivergent young people.

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 14/10/2025

Young people were uncertain about what training their teachers had about autism and gender diversity or what was included in training. From participants in my PhD research, these questions inform a subsequent study with teachers #AutRes

Questions autistic nonbinary young people have for their teachers... Have you had any training on gender diversity in autistic students?

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 14/10/2025

My participants were curious about how teachers recognise and support diverse identities, experiences and needs to help them feel included, respected and understood in school. From participants in my PhD research, these questions inform a subsequent study with teachers #AutRes

Questions autistic nonbinary young people have for their teachers... How do you ensure individual needs and preferences are taken into account.

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 14/10/2025

Young people wanted to understand strategies for creating inclusive environments that ensure nonbinary autistic students feel supported throughout school. From participants in my PhD research, these questions inform a subsequent study with teachers #AutRes

Questions autistic nonbinary young people have for their teachers... How do you ensure your classroom environment is supportive for nonbinary autistic students?

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 18/09/2025

Reflections on the trouble with strengths-led assessments as a neurodivergent person with a spiky profile: thegoo.se/2025/09/18/reflections-on…

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 13/09/2025

Had a great time sharing my PhD research at #AutismEurope2025 on autistic nonbinary young people’s school experiences. Early findings highlight the importance of support identity as part of a holistic approach. Poster: thegoo.se/aec-poste…

Charlotte stands smiling in front of a poster titled "Mapping Support" at the Autism Europe 2025 conference.

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 12/09/2025

It was great seeing so much research about trans autistic experiences at #AutismEurope2025 today! Some call being trans x autistic 'living under a double rainbow'. This picture of an actual double rainbow was posted today by someone in my local trans group in the UK! Shared with permission #AEC2025

In the sky above a garden fence, a bright rainbow is visible with a fainter rainbow above it

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 12/09/2025

I will be presenting my poster at 2PM at #AutismEurope2025 about Mapping Support in Schools for Autistic Non-binary Young People. Available at: thegoo.se/AEC-poster #AEC2025

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 11/09/2025

I've just landed at #AutismEurope2025 I can't wait for all the interesting talks and the opportunity to share my research tomorrow! #AEC2025

Lanyard card with my name and pronouns and a sticker with communication preferences

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 19/08/2025

In my PhD, my participants drew floorplans of their schools, which guided our interviews and evoked the physicality of spaces around school. Colour coding added another layer, helping them to reference areas they felt more/less comfortable in the interview #AcademicSky #PhDlife #AutRes

A hand-drawn floor plan of a school is illustrated with notes and colored dots, accompanied by instructions for a creative exercise aimed at exploring personal experiences in different spaces. Those completing the exercise as asked to try to include on their floorplan try to include spaces where they felt included or like they could be themselves (colour-coded in green), spaces they felt left out or pressure to be someone else other than themselves (in red), and spaces they had mixed experiences (in yellow). There is also a note about critical cartography, saying ‘engaging marginalised groups to create their own maps may offer alternative perspectives and understandings of space.

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Polly Maxwell @peamaxy.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

LGBTQ+ family survey: app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/bathreg/lg... Open to LGBTQ+ people aged over 18 and living in Wales, England and Scotland. Thanks to those who have helped share it so far!

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 16/07/2025

Are you a neurodivergent person over 16? Share your views to help improve support for neurodivergent young people in schools. Our survey supports the work of the Neurodivergence Task and Finish Group, and may influence recommendations to Government. Take part here: thegoo.se/survey

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 20/06/2025

🏳️‍🌈 This past week I’ve been on holiday in Bergen, Norway, and there has been a lot of pride flags! 🏳️‍🌈 Initially I was cynical about ‘rainbow washing’, but I noticed it’s not just shops who have pride flags, but also homes, political buildings and public transport. It feels good 🤗

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 01/05/2025

In my doctoral research, I’m interested in individuals' lived experiences I’m engaging with participatory methods I’m interested in knowledges that are situated in spaces within the school

Auto-generated description: An illustration showing three interconnected concepts around my approach: Experiential, Participatory, and Situated, with arrows and symbolic images.

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Adam Yosef @adamyosef.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

"There are less US states I can exist in, but have you seen the way I'm stepping into myself?" - Poet Jasmine Gardosi on trans rights following the UK Supreme Court ruling on a woman's biological gender. youtube.com/shorts/H1LLJ...

youtube.com

"The number of anti-trans bills is swelling" - Poet Jasmine Gardosi on trans rights | Adam Yosef

YouTube video by Adam Yosef

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Katy Montgomerie 🦗 @katymontgomerie.com · 22/04/2025

This statement about the transphobic Supreme Court ruling by the UK's Crab Museum (yes a museum about crabs) is better than 99% of the statements I've seen on the topic www.crabmuseum.org/visit 🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀

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TransActual @transactualuk.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

Emergency demo. Come out for trans liberation! Come together with trans organisations, unions, and more to for a community-focused protest against the Supreme Court ruling this Saturday! Bring food and a raincoat. Saturday 19th April, 1pm Parliament Square

Emergency Demo Trans Liberation. 1pm Saturday 19 April. Parliament square. Graphic shows a fist in white blue and pink. Logos on the graphic include FLINT, UNISON, ACR, Pride in Labour, Trans Kids Deserve Better, Trans Action for Housing Justice, RS21 and TransActual

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 25/03/2025

Do you think profiling could help build neuroaffirmative classrooms?

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 25/03/2025

Can you expand on what risks?

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 24/03/2025

In this case it would be teachers doing the profiling to inform support for neurodivergent young people

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 24/03/2025

How do #ActuallyAutistic and #AutRes feel about neurodiversity profiling for all children in schools to identify strengths and needs?

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Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 09/02/2025

Possibly the best AAC post of all time: If you or your autistic person use AAC [alternative communication], don't forget to enable descriptions of personal boundaries—because everyone should be able to say "stop" and "F*** off". From Mel Baggs, RIP: ballastexistenz.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/c...

ballastexistenz.wordpress.com

Communication page I used to handle that invasive woman I met.

It’s been quite some time since I posted my letter to the woman who accosted me on my way to the para transit van. But I wanted to update people on how I handled the situation when she approa…

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Sophie Molly @sophiemolly.co.uk · 05/02/2025

This is huge. My petition got approved. It challenges the UK government to the lift the Puberty Blocker ban on the grounds that it contradicts article 8 of The United Nations Convention On The Rights Of The Child. Please sign and Repost ✊️🏳️‍⚧️ petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...

petition.parliament.uk

Petition: Lift restrictions on prescribing puberty blockers to trans children.

We want the Government to reverse the restrictions it has introduced relating to the prescription of puberty blockers to children. The Government introduced legislation banning them from being prescri...

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 05/02/2025

Damien Milton's work often has an educational focus e.g. Milton, D. E. (2014). So what exactly are autism interventions intervening with?. Good Autism Practice (GAP), 15(2), 6-14. #AutRes

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Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Fantastic events with @autscape.org next weekend. I am volunteering to mod over in Discord - hope to see you there! Register: www.autscape.org Schedule of events: www.autscape.org/2025/program...

autscape.org

Autscape: Home

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 30/01/2025

How are the findings from my Master’s research informing my #AutRes PhD on the school experiences of autistic nonbinary young people? I’m asking participants what they found supportive at school (and what they wish was different) I’m anti... thegoo.se/2025/01/30/how-are-the-fi…

Auto-generated description: Quotes from Charlotte Brooks' research participants discuss the empowerment of autistic individuals in research and the hope for reduced negative life events through increased understanding.

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Sadžida Traynor-Herenda | Melem za Dušu Psychologist @soulsoothing.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

#edpsychs #TEPs #SEMH #UKschool #SEND #SENCO #ELSA #CPD I can't recommend this website enough. Stephanie has made it their true labour of love and provided access to bonfide SEMH related free courses. Absolutely amazing. All my schools get this and use it for their staff. Parents also welcome it.

growtherapyworld.org

Learn - Growtherapy

Child & Adolescent Mental Health & Wellbeing Free Online Trainings Growtherapy World is constantly searching the world for free trainings to share with you so you can spend more time learning an...

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 28/01/2025

🗂️ A really great resource, includes group sessions and topics (both online and in-person; from pg. 55) 💪 also lots of information and guidance for those delivering the workshops 🌎 Some aspects may need to be adapted for other countries cdr.lib.unc.edu/concern/scho...

cdr.lib.unc.edu

Gender and Autism Project (GAP) Group Support Guide and Resources

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 22/01/2025

Thank you! I'm trying to post more on social media about my research! So stay tuned! The findings that are emerging even at this early stage are really interesting and hopeful :D

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 22/01/2025

How are the findings from my Master’s research informing my #AutRes PhD on the school experiences of autistic nonbinary young people? I’m guided by what past participants think research should focus on I’ve asked for feedback on study mate... thegoo.se/2025/01/22/how-are-the-fi…

Auto-generated description: Quotes from Charlotte Brooks' research participants emphasize meeting people where they are, listening, sharing knowledge, and grounding research in lived experience.

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 22/01/2025

We need more research on making the world a more welcoming place for #AutRes and gender-diverse people! I'm hoping my research in the school context may help find some ways forward thegoo.se/categories/p...

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 21/01/2025

My experience of PMS as an #ActuallyAutistic person is of an enhanced sensory and emotional experience. This can include overwhelm and emotional distress, but also a hyper-realness that draws my attention to the beauty in little things. Like a... thegoo.se/2025/01/21/my-experience-…

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 17/01/2025

How are the findings from my Master's research informing my PhD on the school experiences of autistic nonbinary young people? - I'm focusing on underrepresented perspectives - I'm giving a choice of interview modality so non-speaking people... thegoo.se/2025/01/17/how-are-the-fi…

Auto-generated description: Quotes from Charlotte Brooks' research participants question the visibility of nonbinary, agender, genderfluid, and gendervague individuals, and states that research often focuses on white people.

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 15/01/2025

It's Wednesday. R u ok?

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 10/01/2025

I'm hopeful for this platform as somewhere to share my work 😀 “I’ll see a Ph.D. student or a postdoc posting right alongside a tenured faculty member who has got a book and a giant lab and a lot of funding,”

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 09/01/2025

For the other findings see thegoo.se/categories/m...

thegoo.se

MASR findings

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 09/01/2025

For the other findings see thegoo.se/categories/m...

thegoo.se

MASR findings

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 09/01/2025

For the other findings see thegoo.se/categories/m...

thegoo.se

MASR findings

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 09/01/2025

Welcome to a series of #AutRes posts highlighting key findings of my Master’s research1 where I interviewed nonbinary autistic people about what future research about them should look like. 3. Research should look at ways forward. Participants felt that resea... thegoo.se/2025/01/09/100200

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 09/01/2025

Welcome to a series of #AutRes posts highlighting key findings of my Master’s research1 where I interviewed nonbinary autistic people about what future research about them should look like. 2. Research should be community led. Participants were engaged with r... thegoo.se/2025/01/09/100100

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Charlotte Brooks @thegoo.se · 09/01/2025

Welcome to a series of #AutRes posts highlighting key findings of my Master’s research1 where I interviewed nonbinary autistic people about what future research about them should look like. 1. Research should include a diverse range of people a... thegoo.se/2025/01/09/welcome-to-a-s…

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