Today we are showcasing an article by @cjcrompton.bsky.social, @aalcorn.bsky.social, @katiecebula.bsky.social and @suereviews.bsky.social in the journal Frontiers for Young Minds. This article accessibly explains what neurodiversity is and how neurodivergent people can experience day-to-day life.
⭐ Fully-Funded ESRC PhD Opportunity ⭐ @katiecebula.bsky.social is recruiting for a PhD studentship: quant analysis of admin data to explore the social inequality & child/family factors which might be associated over time with neurodivergent young people’s school attendance. Deadline: 24th March
The research will look at structural inequalities and child/family factors associated with school attendance, but the child/family are absolutely not positioned within this as ‘the problem’. Rather there is a focus on e.g. how mental health might be negatively impacted by inaccessible schools.
Hi @sophiacollins.bsky.social - absolutely agree that there are *multiple* aspects of the school environment (sensory etc) that play a huge part in school absences! Also agree that for some young people education at home/other settings can be the best approach.
ALT TEXT: Poster shows the logo for the British Psychological Society and a line drawing of three children throwing a ball. Two of the children have prosthetic limbs. The poster text reads: Building Anti-Ableism Through Representation in Children’s Material Culture. A series of three seminars based at Queen Margaret University, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Cambridge. Join us for seminar 2: Books and Reading. Explore how disability and neurodivergent representation in books can support anti-ableist practice and challenge ableism. 21 April 2026. 1300 – 1630 BST. Hybrid – MS Teams and On Campus at University of Strathclyde, G1 1XQ. For questions and more information, email: charlotte.webber@strath.ac.uk Free to attend. Register by 17-04-2026 Submit an abstract by 20-03-2026: https://forms.office.com/e/gh4S7FUfdF Register to attend online or in-person at Strathclyde: https://edin.ac/4aU9DtL
Seminar 2 of the @bpsofficial.bsky.social-funded "Building Anti-Ableism Through Representation in Children’s Material Culture" series. "Books and Reading" : Disability and Neurodivergent representation in children's books.
Hosted by SMRC Director @katiecebula.bsky.social and Dr Charlotte Webber.
Graphic 1 out of 7. The title of the paper is "Information transfer within and between autistic and non-autistic people". This is paper was authored by a team of researchers: Crompton, Foster, Wilks, Dodd, Efthimiou, Ropar, Sasson, Lages and Fletcher-Watson. The SMRC's logo is on the top left hand corner of each graphic. A graphic of a research paper is on the top right hand corner of each graphic.
Graphic 2 out of 7. The study's purpose and an explanation of what a diffusion chain is. This study is a replication and extension of a study the team conducted in 2020. There are blue and orange squares to represent how participants were grouped for this study: all blue for autistic, all orange for non-autistic, and a mix of blue and orange squares to represent a mixed group.
Graphic 3 out of 7. Key findings from the 2020 study and what this study wanted to find out. There are semi-transparent orange and blue circles behind the text to simulate different people talking to one another.
We are showcasing a published paper by @cjcrompton.bsky.social et al. (2025), which explored information transfer in autistic, non-autistic, and mixed-neurotype chains in 311 individuals. This study is a replication and extension of the team's diffusion chain study in 2020.
Introductory graphic with a multi-coloured swirl in the centre. The SMRC's logo is in the top left hand corner of the graphic. There is a black arrow on the bottom right hand corner.
Graphic 2 of 3. There is a multi-coloured swirl in the centre, and there is a description of what the SMRC does overlaid on top of the swirl.
Graphic 3 of 3. There is a QR code for viewers to join the centre's mailing list and the centre's website centred on the graphic.
Welcome to the Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC) BlueSky account! Led by @katiecebula.bsky.social, and in productive partnership with the charity Mindroom, the SMRC creates new knowledge about neurodiversity, learning, and development. Follow us for research updates and events!
"Building Anti-Ableism Through Representation in Children’s Material Culture", a 3-part seminar series funded by @bpsofficial.bsky.social and hosted across @qmuniversity.bsky.social, @unistrathclyde.bsky.social,and @cam.ac.uk.
Seminar 1 "Toys and Play": QMU, Feb 26 1pm - 4:30pm GMT
Graphic 1 out of 5. The title of the paper is "I love it ... I love that story": The perspectives of children with Down syndrome and their mothers on reading experiences at home. This paper was authored by Dr Katie Cebula and Professor Sarah McGeown. A multi-coloured graphic of books and polkadots decorates the centre bottom. The SMRC's logo is on the top left hand corner of each graphic. A graphic of a research paper is on the right hand corner of each graphic.
Graphic 2 out of 5. The study's purpose, information about the people who participated, and how their data was analysed. Three colourful graphics of people are on the right hand side of each information point.
Graphic 3 out of 5. The key findings from the study. Three colourful graphics are on the right hand side of each information point.
We are showcasing a recently published paper by @katiecebula.bsky.social and @profsarahmcg.bsky.social, which qualitatively explored home reading practices of mothers and their children with Down syndrome. Mothers shared experiences via semi-structured interviews, children via 'book tours'.
Sharing a recent @salvesenresearch.bsky.social and Uni of Edinburgh Literacy Lab article on experiences of children with Down syndrome reading at home - with huge thanks to all the young people and parents who shared their experiences with us (we *loved* the book tours!)
The Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre at The University of Edinburgh is now on LinkedIn. If you are interested in neurodiversity research come follow our account!
@suereviews.bsky.social
@cjcrompton.bsky.social
@safriedman.bsky.social
Very delighted that, in addition to our speakers, our in-person event has a panel discussion, with the wonderful @cjcrompton.bsky.social
@fergus.oolong.co.uk
@fasdresearch.bsky.social
and Kirsten Verity.
Only a few days until the 7th annual Salvesen Lecture - come join us!
In-person tickets are sold out (though we can let you know if any become available) but online tickets are still available. Get one here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-2025-s...
Poster with dark blue background shows a colour photo of Moray House School of Education and Sport. Text reads: Seventh Annual Salvesen Lecture: Neurodiversity in Education and Clinical Practice: Joys, Challenges, and Future Research Directions. Monday 24th November 2025 from 5.00pm In-person at the Moray House School of Education and Sport (and online). More info/reserve a place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-2025-salvesen-lecture-neurodiversity-in-education-clinical-practice-tickets-1718568176679 The headshots, names and affiliations of the three speakers are also shown: Katie Cebula (University of Edinburgh); Kirsten Verity (NHS Lothian); Alan Thornburrow (Mindroom) The logos of the Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre; Mindroom; and the University of Edinburgh are also shown.
The Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre invite you to join us in-person or online on Monday 24th November for the 7th Annual Salvesen Lecture - 'Neurodiversity in Education and Clinical Practice: Joys, Challenges, and Future Research Directions'
More info and sign up link in comments
I'm looking to create an advisory group for a project on Monotropism, an attention-based theory of autism and potentially ADHD. If you or anybody you know is interested, please fill out the form below. Thank you!
forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
Really enjoyed this paper on autistic flow theory by @brettheasman.bsky.social , @fergus.oolong.co.uk and others...
For more information and to register a place:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-2025-s...
Poster with dark blue background shows a colour photo of Moray House School of Education and Sport. Text reads: Seventh Annual Salvesen Lecture: Neurodiversity in Education and Clinical Practice: Joys, Challenges, and Future Research Directions. Monday 24th November 2025 from 5.00pm In-person at the Moray House School of Education and Sport (and online). More info/reserve a place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-2025-salvesen-lecture-neurodiversity-in-education-clinical-practice-tickets-1718568176679 The headshots, names and affiliations of the three speakers are also shown: Katie Cebula (University of Edinburgh); Kirsten Verity (NHS Lothian); Alan Thornburrow (Mindroom) The logos of the Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre; Mindroom; and the University of Edinburgh are also shown.
The Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre invite you to join us in-person or online on Monday 24th November for the 7th Annual Salvesen Lecture - 'Neurodiversity in Education and Clinical Practice: Joys, Challenges, and Future Research Directions'
More info and sign up link in comments
Do you work in a UK school which has a sensory room/garden?
Share your experience of using these spaces in this quick online survey, to help shape resources to support the use of sensory spaces.
Important every day, but today feels like a particularly good day for sharing neuro-affirming educational films about autistic experiences.
👉Are you a post-doc?
👉 Passionate about improving care for people with learning disabilities?
👉Interested in communication?
The ICALD study has 2 jobs: one based in London and one in Manchester. See links👇
Come and work with us!
jobs.ac.uk/job/DOQ464/r...
jobs.ac.uk/job/DOQ213/p...
Last wee bump for our Sibling Cafe in #Edinburgh on Fri 5th Sept 2-4pm. If are a care experienced adult or a supporter of a care experienced child/adult then please come along - we have cuppas and Tunnocks for you!
Sign up at: edin.ac/4cIYdcs
James McEnaney who writes on Education for the Herald sometimes covers neurodiversity topics.
www.heraldscotland.com/author/profi...
Picture shows the DPIE logo in purple and white. It is a purple box with the letters 'DPiE' in white. Two children sitting on the box - the one on the left on top of the box has long hair and is throwing a ball. The one on the right is sitting on the edge of the box with their leg hanging down. This child is reading a book.
Beginning to study Developmental Psychology at school/college/university soon?
Give our Developmental Psychology in Education team a follow to find out about our research!
bsky.app/profile/dpie...
Involved in research in autism and education? This looks interesting!...
What does new data reveal about the education outcomes of looked-after pupils and school leavers in Scotland? www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Come along to the Sibling Cafe at the University of Edinburgh to talk about how sibling relationships of care experienced people could be better supported. Come for tea, biscuits and chat!
More info & sign up: edin.ac/4cIYdcs
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Picture shows a small rubber duck, 3 Tunnocks caramel wafers, 2 Tunnocks Teacakes. There is also a sheet with logos of Research Data Scotland and the University of Edinburgh which reads 'Sibling Cafe: Finding out more; There is also a QR code which links to edin.ac/4cIYdcs
Are you:
⭐a care experienced adult (16+years) OR the supporter (e.g. foster parent, adoptive parent, residential carer) of a care experienced child/adult in Scotland?
⭐ free on Fri 5th Sept 2-4pm?
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Some progress...branded uniforms no longer compulsory in Edinburgh schools: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...