A little reading

Christmas is often framed as something that should look a certain way: busy, social, loud, tradition-heavy, and emotionally charged. For many neurodivergent adults, that version of Christmas can feel exhausting, performative, or simply not enjoyable. But Christmas doesn’t have to follow a script. You are allowed to shape the festive season in ways that honour your nervous system, your energy, and your values. An authentic Christmas is not about doing more—it’s about doing wha

For many autistic and ADHD adults, the festive season brings a complicated mix of joy, pressure, sensory overload, and increased demands on energy and executive function. December can feel like a month-long marathon of social expectations, disrupted routines, last-minute plans, and heightened sensory environments. If you find yourself counting down the days until you can return to normality, you’re certainly not alone. Here are some gentle, practical ways to navigate Christma

Specialist, Compassionate, and Truly Bespoke Support At Aspect Autism, we pride ourselves on being a small, dedicated consultancy offering truly personalised autism assessment and support. What sets us apart is not only our clinical expertise but also the warmth, experience, and genuine understanding each member of our team brings. With most of our clinicians holding over 30 years of experience in mental health and children's services—and many with personal experience support

When we talk about neurodevelopmental conditions—such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or dyspraxia—we often focus on how a person thinks, learns, or experiences the world. But another part of the picture is just as important and sometimes overlooked: mental health . Many autistic and neurodivergent people experience anxiety, depression, and other mental-health challenges at higher rates than the general population. This doesn’t mean that neurodevelopmental differences cause  menta

Across Scotland, more children, young people, and adults are seeking assessments for autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental differences. But demand has risen so quickly that NHS Scotland services are under intense pressure, resulting in long waits and stretched teams. Here ’s a clear explanation of why this is happening—and how COVID-19 made things even harder. 1. Demand for Assessments Has Grown Rapidly Awareness of neurodevelopmental conditions has increased across Sc

As the nights draw in and the air turns crisp, many of us look forward to Bonfire Night — the crackle of flames, the sparkle of fireworks, the laughter of friends huddled together in hats and scarves. For some, it’s a night of excitement and sensory delight. But for others — especially many autistic people — Bonfire Night can feel overwhelming, unpredictable, and stressful. This 5th of November, let’s remember  that not all joy looks the same. Different Ways to Experience Joy

For many autistic people, Halloween isn’t just another holiday — it’s a highlight of the year . From the changing seasons and creative costumes to the lights, sounds, and stories that come with it, Halloween can be a time of deep joy, fascination, and expression. In our work with autistic children and adults, we often see how special interests  bring comfort, excitement, and a sense of identity. And for some, Halloween itself  becomes that special interest — something to look

As the clocks go back and the UK moves into the darker months of autumn and winter, many people notice changes in their routines, mood, and energy levels. For autistic people, however, these seasonal transitions can bring additional layers of difficulty. Autistic individuals — both children and adults — often thrive on predictability, structure, and sensory stability. The shift from long, light summer days to darker evenings and colder temperatures can disrupt these familiar

Meet Alison Geddes - the owner and founder of Aspect Autism, and a woman whose career path has been anything but ordinary. Over the past thirty years, Alison’s journey has taken her from hospital wards in Australia to founding Aspect Autism Consultancy. It has been a career full of discovery, passion, and the power of truly understanding what it means to think differently. Alison started Aspect Autism in 2017 Where It All Began Almost thirty years ago, Alison stepped into her

Preparing for a new school year can help ease the anxiety and overwhelm of the transition from summer back to term time. The transition...

If you're reading this after receiving disappointing exam results or watching your autistic child struggle through another difficult...

The Quiet Whispers Before the Lightbulb Moment For many adults, the journey to an autism diagnosis doesn't begin with a dramatic revelation. Instead, it starts with subtle whispers—those moments when you catch yourself thinking, "That's odd, I've always done that", or "I wonder why everyone else seems to find this so easy." These seemingly insignificant observations can be the first threads that, when pulled, begin to unravel a lifetime of questions about why you've always fe

For many people, the journey to an autism diagnosis can feel overwhelming, uncertain, or even unnecessary. You might be wondering whether...

As the school year winds down and summer approaches, many families begin planning vacations, camps, and lazy days by the pool. However,...

Understanding autism in women and girls is critical to breaking down longstanding stereotypes. Many misconceptions prevent the necessary...