Important research illuminating the causes and consequences of autistic shame, in a study of autistic psychiatrists 💡
22.02.2026 13:47
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Important research illuminating the causes and consequences of autistic shame, in a study of autistic psychiatrists 💡
#AutRes Being Autistic made me a better floor nurse and makes me a better prescriber & diagnostician 💯
Autistic healthcare professionals could fill the staffing shortage (read: labor crisis) if we paid fair wages, had universal healthcare, and accepted more PT positions w/in healthcare settings.
My poster from last years APA has just gone live.
Autistic shame is a challenging topic to grapple with, but it's important for mental health. More from this project at at INSAR.
Autistic Psychiatrists: Silenced by Shame. An Inter... by Dr. Mary Doherty PsychiatryOnline Poster Library; May 17 2025;
Absolutely thrilled that our Autistic SPACE for Inclusive Education was Neurodiversity Journal’s “most read paper of 2025”!
Delighted for the team, but mostly for the next generation of autistic kids. Let’s get this into schools everywhere!
White to red faded background with doodle of a pile of books. Title is in a banner “New book: Autism and pregnancy.”
Doodles of parents with babies along the top. Image of a book cover with multiple pregnant people on it. Aimee wrote a book! Aimee (our lead investigator) has been doing research on Autistic people’s maternity experiences since 2021. She wrote a book which is aiming to be easy to read.
Autistic people said they didn’t get enough information about pregnancy. This book… Shares experiences from Autistic people about what to expect Has tools to try when things are difficult Gives scripts for when it’s hard to know what to say Reinforces the important bits in summaries Has top tips from Autistic midwives Has a birth plan template
Topics include: Pregnancy Sensory experiences Staying healthy in pregnancy Appointments and information Pregnancy complications & pregnancy loss Birth Where to give birth Giving birth & pain relief What happens after you give birth When baby has arrived Baby’s care, sleep & feeding Your emotions
The Autism friendly guide to pregnancy, birth and the fourth trimester is published today!
Below you can see some information about the book (1 of 2)
There's a 20% discount code if you buy from Jessica Kingsley Publishers - %AGRANT20
Here’s an example from the book on morning sickness: Image of exclamation mark. Text: If you can’t keep drink or food ‘down’ because of sickness, contact your midwife or GP. Image of a notebook: Text: Script: Talking to your GP or midwife about sickness and vomiting Tell them about the sickness or nausea: • ‘I feel really sick, but I’m not being sick.’ • ‘I’m being sick (say a number) times a day.’ • ‘I’m sick every time I eat something.’ • ‘I’m not able to keep liquid down.’ Tell them how long it’s been going on: • ‘I’ve been like this for (say a number) of days.’ • ‘It started on (say the fi rst day, e.g. Tuesday).’ Tell them how it’s impacting you and ask for help: • ‘Because I can’t keep food and drink down, I’m starting to feel (e.g. weak, dizzy, lightheaded).’ • ‘Because I’m Autistic, I’m limited in the range of food I can eat already, and I can’t really eat at the moment.’ • ‘I think it could be hyperemesis gravidarum. Do you think it could be?’ • ‘Is there any treatment I could have?’ • ‘Some medication to help with the sickness would really help me.’
Reviews say: “This deeply human, neuroaffirming book offers a positive and empowering approach, making an often unknown and overwhelming experience feel navigable.” Alexis Quinn, Author of Unbroken. “(it) is easy to read, with practical advice, scripts and tools. It will be fantastic for autistic people who are pregnant and those who support them.” Dr Mary Doherty, consultant anaesthetist and chair of Autistic Doctors International. “This book is an absolute goldmine of information… I wish I had this book when I was pregnant- it would have made (it) so much easier and less scary.” Niamh Garvey, an Autistic registered nurse & Author.
The book is now available to buy from most book shops. You can also ask your local library to get a copy for you to borrow for free. To come to the event for the book, email AutismM2M@swansea.ac.uk to be added to our email list The videos linked to in the book are all available on our YouTube channel - @AutismMenstruationToMenopause
Stay in touch: Instagram: AutismM2M TiKToK: AutismM2M Website: www.autismmenstruationtomenopause.com Facebook: Menstruation to menopause research: Autistic community group (autistic people only) and Dr Aimee Grant: Autism from menstruation to menopause Youtube: @AutismMenstruationToMenopause Email: AutismM2M@swansea.ac.uk
The book has received really lovely reviews from @niamhgarvey.bsky.social Alexis Quinn & @autisticdoctor.bsky.social, which you can see below. (2 of 2)
What a fabulous couple of days! Then straight from Scotland to New York to take part in a think tank on autism & ageing at the United Nations today, organised by Autism Research Institute. Watch the livestream here: autism.org/aging-and-au...
Written in response to @autisticdoctor.bsky.social and co authors own research into barriers to healthcare for autistic people www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/full/10....
Speakers include:
✨ Prof Annie Curtis (Memorial Lecture)
✨ Anita Solanki (Menopause & Mental Health)
✨ Dr Marc Williams (Climate Distress) @clinpsy-marc.bsky.social
✨ Dr Mary Doherty (Autistic psychiatry) @autisticdoctor.bsky.social
✨ Caroline Copeland (Substance use mortality)
#CMHP25
Thanks to Neil Kenny and @inclusivepedagogy.bsky.social for a wonderful seminar last night at @dcuioe.bsky.social . Great insights and powerful testimony presented by Neil himself, @autisticdoctor.bsky.social , @maggiegreen.bsky.social and Elaine McGoldrick
Tentatively finished my poster for #AEC2025 (only 3 days before Congress starts!) Now using my lunchbreak to check the latest weather forecast for Dublin and revise my packing list! 💜♾️🇮🇪✈️
Congratulations to Dr. Saryn Hingston (@sarynr.bsky.social), recognized for advancing equity in health care through research, education and advocacy. A neurodivergent physician and mentor, she is transforming how we understand and support gender-diverse and autistic patients in clinical care.
Delighted to see our new paper Autistic SPACE for Inclusive Education is out in @neurodiversityjrnl.bsky.social just in time for the new school year, with @aoifemunroe.bsky.social, Elaine McGoldrick, Rachel Ferguson & Carina Byrne.
Fabulous, thank you. I knew this project was in planning stages but hadn't seen the website 😎
I've been told that #neurodiversity advocates don't understand or don't care about the needs of autistic people with the highest support needs, or their families.
Now I know that is not true, but what groups, research projects or initiatives are out there to refute that claim?
If the #autistic professional community is saying the traditional approach to #autism is wrong – and we are – is it time to take a fresh look at autistic phenomenology and our approach to diagnosis?
www.linkedin.com/posts/mary-d...
Today in Hell Yes, Research! Autistic quality of life improved by access to accommodations like earplugs & headphones to manage sounds.
"Our study demonstrates that many aspects of auditory environments—beyond noise alone―can negatively impact Autistic people’s QoL."
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
That wasn’t me but it’s a good point
What an amazing week we had in LA for the @apapsychiatric.bsky.social APA Annual Meeting. Honoured to present my research on #autistic psychiatrists. A highlight was catching up with Prof Cathy Lord for lunch
www.linkedin.com/posts/mary-d...
The second at 3:45 with @autisticdoctor.bsky.social
What's an Irish autistic anaesthesiologist doing in Los Angeles at the @apapsychiatric.bsky.social annual meeting??
www.linkedin.com/posts/mary-d...
if you’ve heard that autistic people lack empathy, it might be time for an information update! this bbc radio doc might fill in some gaps and clear up the confusion www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... #AffectSci #AutRes #devpsycsky #EduSky 🩺,⚕️PedSky #pedpsych 🧪
Some reflections on being part of @aims2trials.bsky.social Autism Representatives over the past 6 years and an exciting new paper led by my friend & colleague @teresadelbianco.bsky.social
www.linkedin.com/posts/mary-d...
Are you disabled, have a long-term health condition or are neurodivergent? Share your experience and help inform our lobbying. Complete our survey by noon 27 May.
NEW SURVEY now open for medics who are disabled, have a long-term health condition, or are neurodivergent.
This is your chance to have your say and help us make workplaces and medical schools more inclusive.
Answer the survey today. www.surveymonkey.com/r/BMAdisabil...
That’s what I need to do, or just go back to using wheelchair assistance
I am ok, I’ve boarded flight on way home. It’s delayed so I’m likely to miss connection. I’ll cope. #AirportsAreHell is a hashtag I used to use on the other platform, I guess I need to port it to here 😥
The absolute irony of my sunflower lanyard setting off a security nightmare at @flysea.bsky.social on my way home from #INSAR2025
Tactile defensiveness means a pat down can be dangerous.
Glad of understanding staff & sensory tools from thesensorylab.co.uk/collections/...
A2: Sensory needs. Meltdowns, variable support needs, variable capacity for speech - what happens in my brain when I can't access speech? Stimming - what happens in my brain when I'm stimming? What do we share despite our heterogeneous profiles & support needs?
#AutINSAR #INSAR2025
So sorry I missed this in person
A shoutout to the gender diversity panel at #INSAR2025 who attended despite safety concerns about international travel for transgender+ people. We at the Autism Community Issues and Experiences were impressed by your submission and are happy you delivered a strong panel on important autism research.