Autism Network Plymouth is run by a small group of neurodiverse professionals who want to try to make a difference. We do not have masses of resources, nor to we intend to compete with or replace large well-established organisations such as the National Autism Society or large psychological consultancies that offer diagnostic services. However, through our collective experiences, we hope to provide insights and support to people in Plymouth who are affected by the Autism Spectrum. 

The network comprises of two parents of Autistic children, a retired psychiatrist who has a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition and a headteacher who has high functioning autism. Whilst most members of the network remain anonymous, the network is managed by Marc Wheeler. Marc is a headteacher, Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator and Specialist Teacher who has a background in psychology and a passion for the Autism Spectrum. He is diagnosed with High Functioning Autism himself and therefore has personal as well as professional experience. Other contributors include parents of children on the spectrum; professionals and students who have an interest in the area and other educational and psychological practitioners who wish to share their expertise and experience. The purpose of this website is to serve. To provide information to people who are interested but moreover to provide a platform for people who may not have time to write books or publish in peer reviewed articles but who still have knowledge and experience to share that may help others.

An introductory note

This site is predominantly here to provide information for people about the Autism Spectrum created by professionals and individuals who have lived experience of the spectrum. A variety of theoretical perspectives will be taken within the site firstly because contributions are by different authors and secondly because to fully understand the spectrum one must look it from every possible angle.

My own theoretical paradigm and philosophical belief as someone who is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) is that it is a neurodevelopmental difference, and I am stressing that word “difference” for a very important reason. As I explain in Wheeler (2011), which is available in the resources section of this website. Medical conceptualisations are important as they help us to identify people who may have ASC and they can be a mechanism through which we can help people to function alongside neurotypical people and meet the demands that society places on them. However, there is a real risk that such conceptualisations can be reductionist and place the focus on curing symptoms rather than valuing and celebrating diversity.

We live in a world of vast social differences and people vary in terms of culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation and much more. Neurodiversity is simply another form of difference. ASC is a neurodevelopmental difference which causes people to communicate and interact differently; it often causes people to have differences in the processing of emotions and of understanding the world around them. ASC can also cause people to possess sensory differences and individuals may need to use self-stimulating behaviours to help them to manage their sensory processing. However, individuals on the spectrum can also have unique skills and talents. Their "disabilities," as some people term it, can in many ways be strengths. I am passionate about celebrating neurodiversity and I truly believe that as someone with Autism, my neurological differences are a strength. I would not be where I am in my career now were it not for these differences and whilst I have needed support to cope with societal expectations and to behave in a way that is acceptable to neurotypical people, I am thankful that I have been given the gift of Autism. 

I am well aware of the fact that depending on where an individual is on the spectrum, the extent to which they can access the neurotypical world can be very different and my celebration of my Autism is in no way intended to downplay the difficulties that people can face. I merely want people to focus not just on what is "wrong" with individuals with Autism but to celebrate them for their unique skills, perspectives and ways of seeing the world. It is society that disables individuals with Autism not the individuals themselves. Focusing on their strengths and what they can contribute to the world rather than reducing them to a "condition" is in my opinion essential. 

However, for parents, carers, and professionals the focus is on helping people; therefore, in some articles I may take a very medical view to enable the information to be disseminated quickly and effectively. Notwithstanding this I want to make it very clear that individuals on the Autism Spectrum are just as diverse as any other group of people and whilst looking at signs and symptoms or specific characteristics can help us to support them, it is absolutely vital that these differences are born in mind and people are treated as individuals rather than a sum of their symptoms.