Book Review: Is that Clear? Effective communication in a neurodiverse world, By Jane McNeice
According to the National Autistic Society and UK Adult Psychiatric Morbidity data, over 1 in 100 people are diagnosed as Autistic. This figure is likely to be a gross under-estimate of actual Autistic people given the number of non-diagnosed Autistic people. Females are particularly under-represented in the statistics for various reasons resulting in the thousands of ‘Lost Girls’, of which I am one. I was late diagnosed Autistic on 22nd June this year at the age of 45. A recent online survey...
Read MorePerson-centred Care, not just for Health & Social Care
Person-centred care is often a term referred to in health and social care. It is a difficult term to pin down because there are various definitions and what it looks like for one will look different for the next. The Health Foundation defines four principles of person-centred care Personalised care Coordinated care Enabling care With a thread of dignity, compassion, and respect through all. Now I think it is fair to say that health and social care are no longer viewed as the sole guardians of...
Read MoreA Book to Save Lives; a book we should ALL read! By Jane McNeice
If I was having suicidal thoughts, this is a book that I really hope the person supporting me has read. If so, they will be well equipped to save me, or at the very least, keep me safe until a professional can help me. Joy Hibbins does not hold herself, or her suicide crisis centre, to a ‘zero suicide’ standard, but nevertheless, her service has achieved it… Let that thought sink in for a second… Yes, ZERO suicides. Joy knows the proven tools to save lives. She shares those...
Read MoreThe challenges for Autistic people at Work, by Jane McNeice
Most adults will consider themselves extremely lucky if they successfully traverse their working lives without ever encountering a time when they don’t feel supported, under too many demands, or other challenges. Anyone who faces these issues often feels stressed, and some develop related health conditions – mental, physical, or both. For Autistic adults, the likelihood is greater still. Some Autistic adults might find it incredibly difficult to sustain gainful employment in...
Read MoreTo Open Plan, or Not to Open Plan? by Jane McNeice
The case for and against open plan offices continues to be debated and I truly feel the reason for this is because we believe it must be one or the other, and in some way, one will win out. What is more unusual is that we expect the black or white outcome. Why would we? Human beings are all different. I could find you one person who will make a very convincing case for open plan workspace and the benefits of this, and I can find you another who could make an equally good case for a more closed...
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