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In this solo episode, your host, Martine, reflects on her experience of delivering autism awareness training and talks in corporate settings. Martine has been the Education Manager at Autism Guernsey for two and a half years at the time of recording. Find out more about our autism awareness training and talks here. Find out more about the podcast here.

Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash Interoception is a sense that allows us to notice internal body signals, such as a growling stomach, a racing heart, or a full bladder. This short article explains how these signals work and shares some supportive strategies. What is Interoception? Our brain uses internal body signals as clues to our emotions. For example, a racing heart might be the brain's clue that we are feeling anxious or excited. Interoception helps us feel many imp

In this episode, your host, Martine, talks to Autism Guernsey's Occupational Therapist (OT) and sensory expert, Maryke Hauptfleisch. Maryke explains her role at the charity, and then the pair discuss the eight (yes, eight!) senses and how sensory differences can impact autistic adults and children. There are also some great, practical strategies shared in this episode; we hope you enjoy it. Find out more about the podcast here. Download this episode's unedited transcript belo

Photo by Dstudio Bcn on Unsplash While many autistic people use Energy Accounting, some find they relate more to a strategy called Spoon Theory. This short article explains what it is and how to start using it to manage your daily energy. What is Spoon Theory? Spoon Theory was created by Christine Miserandino to explain the experience of living with limited energy due to a chronic illness. It uses spoons as a visual metaphor for the mental and physical energy you have a

In this episode, one of our clients shares their lived experience of getting an autism diagnosis later in life. We hope you enjoy this shorter episode. Find out more about the podcast here.

Photo by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash Living in a world that isn't always designed for autistic people can be exhausting. Often, you are trying to meet demands that exceed your current resources. Energy accounting is a simple strategy to help you manage your energy levels and, as a result, reduce overall stress. While this article is aimed at autistic adults managing their own energy, it is also a powerful tool for parents helping their children understand their own interna

In this episode, your host, Martine, talks to Autism Guernsey Wellbeing and Enablement Facilitator, Heath Cogher. Heath discusses his role at the charity, and then the pair talk about the transition to adulthood for autistic teens. In addition to exploring the challenges this time of life can bring, the episode offers strategies to help. This episode is a must-listen for autistic teens, as well as their teachers, families, and friends. Find out more about the podcast here . D

Photo by Marita Kavelashvili on Unsplash Some autistic people have a different way of processing information known as Weak Central Cohesion. This article explains what this means and shares some supportive strategies. What is Weak Central Cohesion? Central cohesion is the ability to pull together different pieces of information to understand the “big picture”. Autistic people often have Weak Central Cohesion, which means the brain tends to focus on individual details r

Photo by Volodymyr Hryshchenko on Unsplash Some autistic people experience differences in executive functioning. This article explains what this means and shares some supportive strategies. What is Executive Functioning? Executive functioning refers to the set of mental skills that help us to manage daily life. These skills include planning, staying organised, and completing tasks. Autistic people’s brains often need to process more information than their non-autistic peers

Photo by Headway on Unsplash This article is for autistic adults in the workplace; it explores your rights in Guernsey and how to identify support that helps you work at your best. Understanding Support at Work In Guernsey, the Prevention of Discrimination (Guernsey) Ordinance (2022) provides a framework for people with disabilities, including autistic people, to request reasonable adjustments. These are changes to the work environment or the way a job is done that hel

Photo by Stefano Bucciarelli on Unsplash Some people—including autistic and other neurodivergent people—process social information differently. This short article expands on this idea, explains what Theory of Mind is, and shares some supportive strategies. What is Theory of Mind? Theory of Mind is a social processing skill. It is the ability to understand that other people have their own thoughts, feelings, and perspectives that may differ from yours. It involves using

Photo by Breno Machado on Unsplash Autistic people often face stress and overwhelm when navigating environments or expectations that do not accommodate their needs, and this can sometimes result in meltdowns or shutdowns. This article explains what meltdowns and shutdowns are and how to manage them. What Are Meltdowns and Shutdowns? Meltdowns and shutdowns are intense, involuntary responses to overwhelming sensory, emotional, social, or informational input. They reflec

Welcome to our very first podcast episode. Your host, Martine Ellis, interviews Julia Watts, the Service Manager and CEO at Autism Guernsey, to REALLY talk about autism. They talk about what autism is and is not, and explore common misconceptions. Martine gives Julia a magic wand towards the end of the episode, and Julia explains exactly what she would do with it in order to make the world more accessible to autistic people. We hope you enjoy the episode. Find out more about

Photo by Baruk Granda on Unsplash Some autistic people experience social interaction differently. This article explains what those differences might look like and shares some supportive strategies. What is Social Interaction? Social interaction is how we engage with others and build relationships. For autistic people, the “unwritten rules” of socialising can feel confusing or exhausting. This isn't a lack of desire to connect, but rather a difference in how social sig

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash Some autistic people can struggle with social communication. This article explains what social communication is and shares some supportive strategies. What is Social Communication? Social communication is how we use language and gestures (including body language) to share meaning with others. It involves not just the words we say, but also how we say them and how we interpret what others say to us. Autistic people can ha

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash Research suggests that up to 95% of autistic people experience sensory differences. This article describes our eight sensory systems and explains the terms sensory processing, sensory overload, and sensory seeking. Some suggestions for managing sensory needs are included at the end of the article. Sensory Systems Most people are familiar with the five external senses: sight , hearing , smell , touch , and taste . However, we have th

Photo by Kaleb Nimz on Unsplash Some autistic people can experience social imagination differently. This article explains social imagination and shares some supportive strategies. What is Social Imagination? Social imagination is the ability to understand and predict other people’s behaviour, even when it isn't stated out loud. It helps us imagine “what if” scenarios and understand abstract concepts. For autistic people, this doesn't mean a lack of creativity—man

Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash We know that lots of people with different backgrounds and experiences read our articles. If you happen to be fairly new to learning about autism, this article is a great place to start. In it, we aim to answer the following questions: What is autism and the autistic spectrum? How many people are autistic? Is autism a disability? What is Autism and the Autistic Spectrum? Autism is a neuro-developmental condition. It is not a lea

Case study for Autism Guernsey’s Neurodiversity Network Project , showcasing how organisations are supporting neurodivergent employees locally and further afield. Background ACCESS is the group-wide disability and neurodiversity network for Lloyds Banking Group. Within this established network sits a specific neurodiversity community, which was formed approximately four years ago. The community is led by Lee Brown, who is the co-chair of the ACCESS network. Lee explain

Photo by Anastasiia Chepinska on Unsplash This guide is for autistic adults who find the social side of gifts difficult (whether you’re the one giving, receiving, or both). It’s especially relevant at Christmas, but the ideas here apply all year round—birthdays, anniversaries, or any time gifts are expected. Some tips and ideas in this post might also apply to older autistic teens navigating gift exchanges with family and friends. Why Gifts Can Feel Difficult Many autistic p