How important is that the programme was devised and delivered by autistic people?
“More connection and u feel completely understood – you also know they are not going to try and make you more neurotypical but more yourself.”
“Extremely important, they understood everything that we were struggling with and so they were able to help in the correct way.”
“It is extremely important. We know ourselves best and can provide the best learning environment for our needs. We have the understanding that is necessary to put together a programme such as this. It would not have been the same if it was devised by a neurotypical person, that would have been like them looking in from the outside and trying to work out what they thought we needed.”
“Crucial. It takes an autistic person to understand another autistic person best.”
“It is very important that people who understand our struggles and how we communicate lead programs like this in order for more autistic people to thrive.”
“It made me feel less alone and not talked down to or uncomfortable.”
“Essential. I was not feeling very good at all about my diagnosis prior to starting programme, I felt let down by the health service and very disappointed at being offered no support post diagnosis. I have worked alongside mental health services in my previous job and have had call to access them myself and do not trust them to be anything other than lip service. Even amongst my own family I was having issues with what I saw as one sided discussions about the “difficulties” my autism presents to everyone else, so I felt very isolated. I have experience of doing peer group recovery groups in the past and found that sort of support hugely helpful and the only thing that has enabled me to make positive changes in may life. I had met a group of neurodivergent people with positive self images just prior to applying for course and the fact that it was designed, produced and delivered by autistic people was the big selling point, the thing that allowed me to have the confidence to trust enough to apply. I’ve discovered that I can’t be myself in any hierarchecal situation where someone is labelled an authority figure, despite their knowledge being purely theoretical.”
“It’s vitally important as you know there is a complete understanding of the condition from those running the course. There is such a lack of understanding with neurotypical people, even the so called experts. It would come across as like a text book from an outside source.”
“Being led by autistic people is an important part of the programme for me as it offered a sense of validation of my own experiences.”
“It is vital that a programme such as this is led by the people it seeks to support. By autistic people, for autistic people. This avoids the pathologising language prevalent in non-autistic discourse. It also meant that the diversity of autistic people was emphasised, alongside the strengths we may have. Having an autistic mentor meant that my experiences felt validated- able to empathise with each other’s experiences, ways of thinking, and for my mentor to explore possible strategies with my way of doing things in mind.”
“Extremely important, I don’t think I would have done it if it wasn’t. There is so much misunderstanding of autism, even within the professional field. It was wonderful to feel surrounded by other autistic people and to know that the programme was designed and delivered by autistic people.”
“Very important, as it is not helpful to be led in these things by those who have no understanding of what it is actually like to live as an autistic adult in today’s world.”
“SO IMPORTANT! The programme content has been so great, and it really feels like an amazing space because (a) everyone understands (and I’d gone my whole life thinking no one could understand me), (b) I was *so* inspired, right from the start, by Marie & Co for setting it all up (seeing what amazing autistic individuals on a forum can do working together dispelled any feelings I was useless or broken or ineffective – we can be powerful), but ALSO by the other people in the group – I identified with them, saw how they were ND and really liked them for it (I could NEVER like myself before I knew I was ND) – just the first information session was a great start for a positive autistic ID! NDSA has made such an amazing difference to my life in such a short time. I really mean it. The discussions are so good too – there’s a real hive kind thing going on. People saying things you thought were only ever in your head.”
What is best about the Pathway programme?
“Definitely the mentoring itself closely, followed by the community aspect of the zoom meeting and the hugely helpful information sessions, really difficult to pick because there has been so much excellent content in the course but I would say mentoring first because it was the backbone(or Golden Thread!) that kept me going, even on weeks when I was struggling to engage otherwise.”
“Massive amounts of helpful information.”
“The contact with other autistic people was the best thing for me, and being able to discuss specific examples of the impact others have felt.”
“Everything that your program has in place is amazing as it is. The diversity of topics and speakers has been amazing and helpful.“
“The group discussions and the mentoring combined.”
“Working with other autistic people who actually listen to me, understand the difficulties and care.”
“The group sessions. The one-to-one mentoring is really important and valuable and I have got a lot out of it but being in a group with other autistic people and recognising myself in what they say and the way they say it has been really life-changing.”
“Understanding that my issues are part of my condition and that they can be managed.”
“Seeing myself in the other people in the group and liking myself better for how much I liked and respected them. Group learning (what I said above about thinking no one could ever understand you).”
“Being around MY people, learning from them and a feeling of mutual understanding. Additional talks from outsiders were amazing, very detailed, comprehensive and informative! I learned so much!”
“Feeling comfortable within the community and learning how to speak up for myself.”
“Definitely the mentoring itself closely, followed by the community aspect of the zoom meeting and the hugely helpful information sessions, really difficult to pick because there has been so much excellent content in the course but I would say mentoring first because it was the backbone(or Golden Thread!) that kept me going, even on weeks when I was struggling to engage otherwise.”
“Having access to my mentor has been very helpful.”
“Developing more of an understanding of autism, the diversity of people on the spectrum, and what autism means for me.”
“Being around other autistic people, particularly those who are later diagnosed and early on in their ‘journey’. I follow a lot of ND advocates who I learn from but I often feel on a different level somehow, like I’m way behind where they are and sometimes it can make me feel ‘less than’ in some way. But being with people also discovering things just felt like it was ok, I’m ok and things take time. I am so grateful because before this I really felt very alone.”