Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #ITAKOM

Most recents (7)

Got in a little late to the Diversity in Neurodiversity session (definitely day one first afternoon session!).

Excited to listen to @WalkerSensei speak about how everyone benefits from "cultural hybridity" & having an open-minded approach to understanding different minds
#ITAKOM
"There is no such thing as a normal brain. What I mean when I say neurotypical is that a person behaves in compliance with social norms based on the cultural expectations instilled in us. Some people are just not capable of passing with these norms."

@WalkerSensei

#ITAKOM
"The potentials really are infinite, and what I want to see in neurodiversity research is a movement away from putting people into boxes and labeling neurotypes to be more about customising and personally explore the weird potentials of your mind." - @WalkerSensei

#ITAKOM
Read 4 tweets
Excited for @HolSmale's keynote on masking.

"Everybody masks, but when you are neurodivergent, masking is on a different level. The mask can be incredibly heavy.. I have to change the very basis of who I am & this is exhausting. I felt like I was broken."

Powerful start #ITAKOM
Now @HolSmale shares about her memories of childhood and how it was the "last time I felt authentically happy."

She remembers the moment this began to change when noticing differences between her and her peers. Masking became apparent from high school to "fit in".

#ITAKOM
"I'm not sure a lot of neurotypical people can truly understand what it is like to be constantly critiqued, judged & disliked for who I am."

@HolSmale shares about the exhausting experiences of surviving social communication from a young age, and still does to this day.

#ITAKOM
Read 7 tweets
Now attending the "Attitudes and Priorities for neurodiversity research" session.

It is standing room only (positive to see the interest!), as I am stood up it is trickier to live tweet, but I will try summarise after the session where I can.

#ITAKOM
The planning around evaluation questions to refine & reshape questions when capturing and better understanding attitudes towards ND people sounds v interesting.

I'm a big believer in involving ND people in research design to be able to make it as accessible as possible

#ITAKOM
They were statistically assessing the responses to the survey, reviewing the way the questions worked in relation to responses & collecting feedback on the experience of taking part to improve research practices.

Again, reflective & adaptive practices are positive to see #ITAKOM
Read 13 tweets
Now attending the "Introduction to Neurodiversity" talk.

@DrAmyPearson has introduced the session as chair, and @SueReviews
Is now discussing the fundamentals of neurodiversity (as she understands it).

#ITAKOM
.@SueReviews will discuss what neurodiversity is & the neurodiversity paradigm.

"Neurodiversity is the fact that all human brings vary in the way our brains work".

Every single brain functions differently & uniquely.

#ITAKOM
The neurodiversity paradigm (@WalkerSensei):
1. Neurodiversity is naturally occurring
2. No one is better than another
3. Neurodiversity operates like other equality and diversity dimensions.

@SueReviews adds:
4. strength in diversity itself - collective not individual value.
Read 16 tweets
As well as sharing my poster at @ITAKOM_CONF, I contributed a video to the Stories from the Spectrum call.

During the 'Neurodivergent Stories from Real Life', I share a very important personal experience that helped to shape my journey as an autistic so far & all the work I do.
The video is a one-take address to the camera. I do not have a script, I spoke from my heart in order to capture the most authentic version of my story.

My video is about the importance of neurodivergent role models, of listening to ND voices and supporting us to be ourselves.
I hope that any #ITAKOM delegates who see it can resonate with the message, & that it might be useful to fellow ND people on the journey of self-discovery, self-love & self-belief.

I'm not sure I'll make the sessions due to conflict with others, but I am happy to chat about it.
Read 11 tweets
OK here we go with the Day 2 run-down for @ITAKOM_CONF

We kick off with Prof Pierre Magistretti giving us a tour of the ever-changing brain. The hardware we all share despite our many different experiences of the world.

Later that morning @heasutherland and @maxdavie will...
...be talking about applying the neurodiversity paradigm in both clinical & social care settings.

@HariSri108 will be presenting on using assistive & augmented communication devices #AAC and the stigma that entails, drawing on his experience + research.

In the Inclusive...
...Learning session we'll hear the latest on the #LEANSProject from @a_m_alcorn0131 + inspiring work in outdoor learning & wellbeing from @WaveProject

Students from @EdinUniNeuro will lead a workshop exploring how medications can be neurodiversity-affirmative

And finally...
Read 18 tweets
Good Morning!

I have something VERY exciting to announce this fine morning...

I am Co-Chair for a new, one-off, international neurodiversity-focused conference in March 2023 called:

It Takes All Kinds Of Minds, or #ITAKOM for short

time for a 🧵

itakom.org
This conference is presented by my colleagues & friends at @MindroomInform and especially by my partner-in-crime Sophie Dow @mindroom1

It will take place on the 13th & 14th March 2023 at @eicc

The charity has hosted amazing conferences in this venue before, but this time...
...we will take neurodiversity as our explicit focus and theme

The programme will feature neurodivergent speakers throughout, including leading researchers, educators, clinicians & activists.

There will also be space for talks devoted exclusively to sharing lived experience
Read 15 tweets

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