Blog
Neurodiversity and Military Hierarchy: Thriving as a Neurodivergent RAF Officer
Neurodiversity and the military are not often spoken about together. I'm sometimes asked, being late diagnosed autistic and ADHD, how did I cope as a former officer in the Royal Air Force? How did I cope in such a rigid, rank-based system?
It’s assumed that hierarchy must be intolerable for neurodivergent people, but the reality is far more nuanced.
Online Fraud Is Rising With the Use of Artificial Intelligence and It Has a Disproportionate Impact on Those With Neurodivergence
It can’t be denied that the rise of neurodiversity awareness is a positive thing, but with the rate of fraud and online scams also rising, the impact on neurodivergent individuals is now considered to be more severe than that on neurotypicals. According to the National Crime Agency, fraud is the most prevalent crime against individuals, accounting for about 41% of all crime in the Crime Survey for England and Wales in 2024, which is astonishing if one considers that most fraud is still unreported due to feeling of shame.
My Review of The Willows in Lincoln, a Specialist School for Children With Autism or Similar Needs.
I recently visited The Willows school in Lincoln on its open day and enjoyed a guided tour to see the amenities. This independent specialist school is due to open imminently (as of January 2026) for a small cohort and will be open to pupils between 5 and 15 years of age. As a neurodivergent person, I strongly believe in the importance of education which caters primarily to the individual rather than the establishment and The Willows did not disappoint. The staff were caring, the facilities inviting, and the school offers a learning approach which is adaptable. Children will need a specialist Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and advice is to start the process early.
The Autistic Barbie: Representation, Responsibility, and the Problem of “One Size Fits All”.
Mattel’s 2025 release of an autistic Barbie doll has been widely celebrated as a milestone for inclusion. A global brand, a mainstream toy, and a condition that has long lived somewhere between stigma, misunderstanding, and silence. On the surface, it feels like progress. But as with most things involving autism and neurodivergence, the reality is more complicated.
I didn’t have a Barbie growing up in the 70s. I didn’t identify with her, and frankly, she felt too American. Instead, I had Sindy: rounder-faced, British, and at one point famously accompanied by a very British horse and riding gear. Sindy felt closer to real life. Barbie, on the other hand, was pink, polished, and eventually ubiquitous.
Mattel’s new release is identified as autistic largely through accessories: ear defenders, sensory tools, predictable routines. That raises an immediate question: does autism live in the person, or in the supports around them?
Are neurodivergents better at jigsaw puzzles?
Those with neurodivergent minds, such as having autism, ADHD and dyslexia, are said to be able to solve puzzles easier and more quickly than the typical population, partly due to logical thinking, pattern recognition and attention to detail. Is this reflected in the way that they solve jigsaw puzzles? Is starting with the edge pieces an example of societal norms or social conformity bias?
Don’t Hide Your Superpower Behind Your Alter Ego
So many well-known fictional superheroes hide behind their alter egos to fit into society, acting modest and unassuming. Just like superheroes, we too hide behind a more socially accepted identity, camouflaging in order to fit in and feel a sense of belonging.
A few of my favourite things as a neurodivergent adult.
Some of my favourite things to help me in my everyday life as a neurodivergent adult.
Those with neurodivergent conditions such as autism, ADHD and anxiety often suffer with issues which are hidden to others and we use masking to cope, particularly in public. However, this can become exhausting and lead to debilitating burnout. Fortunately, there are tools and schemes available nowadays to help neurodivergent individuals of all ages to cope with everyday life which are subtle and not too conspicuous.
I thought it would be a good idea to make a list of my favourites that I cannot live without as an adult with autism.
Representation of autism in Astrid: Murder in Paris - the TV detective series reproduced in English and called Patience
I am regularly on the lookout for something to watch which reflects neurodivergence. Recently, a friend recommended a Walter Presents detective series called Astrid: Murder in Paris about an autistic archivist and I’m hooked. Don’t be put off by the subtitles!
World Autism Acceptance Week
World Autism Acceptance Week is an annual event planned around Autism Acceptance Day on 2nd April each year. Interestingly, the event was formerly called Autism Awareness Week but was renamed in 2021 as a better term for inclusion.
Covid, Menopause and an Autism Diagnosis
It took a mental health crisis for me to push for a diagnosis for autism through the NHS. The problem was at the time that there were so many other things going on at the same time including the COVID pandemic and menopause.
Neurodiversity on Reality TV
Will recent appearances on reality TV help to change public perception of neurodivergence?
Free Writing - Taking a Creative Writing Course
So today, I started a creative writing course. Neurodivergents tend to think in black and white so it was inspiring to learn how to write freely.