AMASE Newsletter, March 2026

Mar 01, 2026 10:01 am

Dear AMASE members,


Welcome to the March newsletter, as we find ourselves in a period of calm (meteorologically speaking) after what has been quite turbulent weather. 


A key highlight for us this month is Weird Pride Day on 4th March with various events and a range of speakers, much of which will be recorded.


We are also very pleased to be restarting “My Autism Story” which has proved popular in the past and was paused due to capacity reasons. Each My Autism Story session features one member who shares aspects of their journey to knowing they are autistic. If you think you may wish to speak about your story at some point please get in touch.


We have included information about these in this newsletter, as well as other events and items that we think could be of interest to you.


Best wishes,

Fiona, Leo, Gideon, Fergus, Elly, Pete and Luis.


  1. Weird Pride Day, AMASE and guests, 2026-03-04, all day 
  2. My Autism Story 20, 2026-03-26, 6-7pm (AMASE members only)
  3. Income Maximisation Workshop with Into Work, 2026-03-25, 12-1.45pm (AMASE members only)
  4. Next AMASE Body Doubling session, 2026-03-18, 7-8:30pm (AMASE members only)
  5. Neuro-affirming spaces research in person workshop, 2026-03-07, 1:30-4:30pm (AMASE members only)
  6. Regular AMASE Bouldering Trips – Alien Bloc
  7. Number 6 Autism One Stop Shop March Calendar
  8. Neurodivergent Humanities Network’s Symposium “Neurodiversity is more than…”, 2026-03-04, 9am-5pm
  9. How to Read Minds: Aimee Cliff on the Art & Science of Empathy, Lighthouse Bookshop, 2026-03-16, 7-8pm
  10. “A Brief History of Neurodivergence”, Fiona Moon at the Studio Theatre, 27-28 March
  11. Member’s survey report published for Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee Inquiry into Neurodivergence in Scotland



AMASE events:

1. Weird Pride Day, AMASE and guests, 2026-03-04, all day 

The 4th of March is Weird Pride Day, started by AMASE co-founder Fergus Murray. This is a day for people to embrace their weirdness, and reject stigma associated with being weird. There's an exciting lineup of events this year - more ever before!


AMASE will be co-hosting a round of lightning talks together with Stimpunks at 8pm on the day. Several video and panel discussions will also premiering on YouTube.


This year Weird Pride Day has a specific theme, for the first time: “Weird Pride in a Hostile World”.  It has never been easy being seen as weird and this is an exceptionally difficult time. Various governments have been ramping up the persecution of people who are trans, migrants, queer, neurodivergent, disabled, don’t belong to dominant ethnic or religious groups, or just have unusual ways of thinking about the world.


Read more about Weird Pride Day, sign up to give a lightning talk, read Fergus's guest post for Lighthouse Books, and catch up with events recorded in previous years at weirdpride.day.


2. My Autism Story 20, 2026-03-26, 6-7pm (AMASE members only)

My Autism Story is where an AMASE member shares something about their autistic journey. It has been a while since we have had one, and are really pleased to start these again. Peter Hamilton, who is a Committee member of AMASE, will be speaking about his story on 26th March at 6-7pm at what will be our 20th My Autism Story event. If you may be interested in speaking about your story at some point, do get in touch.


You can sign up to attend this event here: https://luma.com/fjq6k0w6 



3. Income Maximisation Workshop with Into Work, 2026-03-25, 12-1.45pm (AMASE members only)

Into Work's Income Maximisation Officer, Alan Bartlett, is holding a free online workshop on Wednesday, 25th March 12-1:45pm. Alan will cover topics such as energy saving tips, budgeting measures and a benefits overview. He will cover how paid work affectseffects benefits and discuss Adult Disability Payment and Personal Independence Payment amongst others. 


For further information and to sign up to this event go to: https://luma.com/v4qkrch9 



4. Next AMASE Body Doubling session, 2026-03-18, 7-8:30pm (AMASE members only)

Our body doubling sessions have been working well and the next one is on Wednesday 18th March, 7-8:30pm on Zoom. At the last session members worked  on different tasks, including preparing for a study tutorial, dealing with admin and sewing repairs to their coats.


You can see information on how the session will run, and sign up if you would like to attend here: https://luma.com/gkh2juv4 



5. Neuro-affirming spaces research in-person workshop, 2026-03-07, 1:30-4:30pm (AMASE members only)

There are still a few spaces for members to sign up to participate in this in-person workshop run by three neurodivergent researchers taking place on Saturday 7th March, 1:30-4:30pm. This workshop will explore what a truly neurodiversity-affirming space looks like. The workshop will be held at The Melting Pot, 15 Calton Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8DL. Participants will be able to choose a £50 voucher as a thank you.


You can see further information and register on Luma here: https://luma.com/slkqaqme



6. Regular AMASE Bouldering Trips – Alien Bloc

The next fortnightly bouldering sessions at Alien Bloc, in Canonmills held on Saturdays will be on the 7th and 21st of March. No experience required. Entry is £13 (plus £3.50 shoe hire if needed). If you're thinking of coming do let us know by signing up on Luma, link here (for the 7th): https://luma.com/mfuyzgu1 and here (for the 21st): https://luma.com/4swqlr7y


Other events:

7. Number 6 Autism One Stop Shop March Calendar

The Number 6 One Stop Shop March calendar listing groups and activities they will be running this  month can be seen here:

https://autisminitiatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/March-Calendar-2026.pdf



8. Neurodivergent Humanities Network’s Symposium “Neurodiversity is more than…”, 2026-03-04, 9am-5pm

This is a free online event bringing together academics, independent researchers and lived-experience activists from across the globe to chart new possibilities with and beyond the neurodiversity concept.


“What forms of inclusion and exclusion does neurodiversity perform as a concept, as a field, and as a movement? How may lines of queer, trans, crip, decolonial, posthumanist, or Mad thinking shake up and overspill the conventional boundaries of neurodiversity? How may the perspective of the more-than contribute to a radical expansion of neurodiversity beyond autism, the human, and the Global North? How can the disciplinary perspectives of literature, anthropology, sociology, or philosophy be brought together with activist practice to shape the critical neurodiversity studies that is so urgently needed today?”



For more details about this conference and to book go to:  Neurodiversity is More Than... Tickets, Wednesday, Mar 4 from 9 am to 5 pm GMT | Eventbrite 


9. How to Read Minds: Aimee Cliff on the Art & Science of Empathy, Lighthouse Bookshop, 2026-03-16, 7-8pm

Autistic therapist Aimee Cliff will be at Lighthouse (and online) discussing her new book How to Read Minds. Aimee interviewed AMASE co-founder Sonny Hallett for this book, shared with the title 'empathy isn't magic'.


"Drawing on the latest scientific research, her clinical experience, and interviews with a wide range of neurodivergent people, Cliff examines how empathy works in the brain and body, and lays out five pillars that allow anyone to practise empathy. She finds that empathy is humble; empathy is embodied; empathy is amoral; empathy is radical; and empathy is work."


Get tickets and find out more here:

https://lighthousebookshop.com/events/how-to-read-minds-aimee-cliff-on-the-art-and-science-of-empathy


10. “A Brief History of Neurodivergence”, Fiona Moon at the Studio Theatre, 27-28 March

Writer and theatremaker Fiona Moon blends theatre, storytelling and improvisation to provide a glimpse into modern and historical neurodivergent experience. Described as “Part disability history lecture, part autobiography, part agility course, part rant, part quiz and a whole lot of laughter!” 


For more details and how to book go to: A Brief History of Neurodivergence - Capital Theatres



Other:


11. Members’ survey report published for Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice (EHRCJ) Committee Inquiry into Neurodivergence in Scotland

In January we sent out a survey to members of AMASE looking at experiences of employment, education and the criminal justice system. Responses helped inform the evidence we gave to the EHRCJ Committee’s Inquiry into Neurodivergence in Scotland. Our sister organisations ARGH and SEMA sent it out to their members too. Thank you everyone who took the time to respond – it is greatly appreciated. You can find the write up of the survey, that has also been submitted to the EHRCJ Committee here:


http://amase.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Survey_Narrative_Final.pdf 

HTML version here: https://amase.org.uk/state-of-play/


Previous AMASE newsletters can be viewed here: https://sendfox.com/amase/feed 


To automatically receive updates about AMASE Events published on Luma, sign up at this link: https://luma.com/amase 

AMASE is a volunteer run organisation and currently receives no funding. If you feel financially able to do so, you can donate to AMASE via PayPal Donate. Thank you to the supporter who is raising funds for AMASE with Kiltwalk and for the donations we have received to date.

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