Hi everyone,

We hope that you have been able to enjoy some of the summer weather, despite it being as mixed as ever!

We would like to thank everyone who came to our AGM on Saturday the 12th of June. There have been some changes to the Committee, with Fergus Murray stepping down as Chair (but still on the Committee), and Fiona Clarke stepping up as our new Chair. We also have a number of newly elected Committee members. You can see the new make up of the Committee below.

This year's Autistic Pride Picnic is this Saturday, the 2nd of August, which is also the first day of the Fringe Festival. Apologies for the late notice, for those who didn't see this on Discord. We look forward to seeing you there! Speaking of the Fringe Festival, we are looking at organising a group to see one of the neurodiversity-related shows - please see this Discord thread if you're interested.

We are also planning to trial bouldering sessions for autistic people starting in September, and we have some updates on neurodiversity politics in Scotland, as well as a few external events we thought you might find interesting. 

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

In this newsletter:

1. AMASE Annual General Meeting Summary
2. Autistic Pride Picnic, 2025-08-02
3. Bouldering, 2025-09-20
4. Someone Like Me book launch, 2025-09-25
5. Neurodiverse Connection online ‘meetup’ groups
6. Why Autism Isn’t What You Think It Is (and Why That Matters), 2025-09-24
7. Number 6 One Stop Shop August and Summer Calendars
8. Autism and ADHD pathways to diagnosis
9. Inquiry into neurodivergence in Scotland
10. Research recruiting parents on autistic/non-autistic sibling play

1. AMASE Annual General Meeting Summary

After five years in the role, Fergus Murray has stepped down as Chair, but remains on the Committee. Fiona Clarke is the new Chair, and along with other members thanked Fergus for all he has done as Chair and are most appreciative of their continued support on the Committee. Gideon Henner and Leo Starrs-Cunningham stay on as Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Pete Hamilton and Luis Robertson, having both previously been co-opted, are joined by Elly Darrah to be elected on to the Committee. Sumar Wiliams and Zoe McIntyre have stepped down and we would like to thank them for everything they have done for AMASE to date.

The current Committee is as follows:

Fiona Clarke - Chair

Gideon Henner - Secretary

Leo Starrs-Cunningham - Treasurer

Fergus Murray

Pete Hamilton

Luis Robertson

Elly Darrah

The draft minutes for the 2025 AGM can be viewed here. If you attended the meeting and have any comments or objections, please do let us know; we will otherwise deem the minutes to be approved, pending their formal ratification at the next AGM.

AMASE Events

2. Autistic Pride Picnic 2025, 2025-08-02

Edinburgh's sixth Autistic Pride Picnic will be held in the usual place on the Meadows (under the Albert Victor sundial) from around 2pm - 5pm on the 2nd of August. This is an opportunity to celebrate autistic identity and the autistic community - and to spend some time with autistic people, chat, eat picnic food, and lie around in the grass (if the weather allows!).

All are welcome - it's an autistic space in the sense that autistic social norms apply, but not an autistic-only space. Like all AMASE events, it's LGBTQ-friendly, but when we talk about Autistic Pride we mean pride in being autistic, regardless of sexuality, gender, or anything else. The event is also family-friendly, but childcare is not provided.

Add this event to your Google Calendar here.

3. Bouldering, 2025-09-20, 11:00-13:00

Bouldering is a style of climbing that doesn't use harnesses and ropes, and which has become notably popular with neurodivergent people in recent years. We are planning an AMASE trip to Alien Bloc in Canonmills on the 20th of September, which may become a fortnightly fixture if it proves popular. 

No experience is required - all levels of ability are welcomed. As well as venue staff, we will have at least a couple of climbers from AMASE who have been doing this for a few months. Entrance to the gym costs £13 (plus £3.50 shoe hire if needed). The plan is to run this on similar lines to T Climbing, a fortnightly climbing group for trans people, so you might like to check out their Instagram to learn more. 

External Events

4. Someone Like Me: Launching an Anthology of Non-Fiction by Autistic Writers, 2025-09-25

Lighthouse Books is launching Someone Like Me on Thursday 25 September – a powerful new anthology of non-fiction by Autistic writers that challenges stereotypes and centres gender-diverse and women’s voices. Edited by Clem Bastow and Jo Case, the collection explores a wide range of themes – from identity, sex, and eating disorders to religion, the natural world, and joyful obsessions – offering an honest and expansive portrayal of Autistic life. This special event at the bookshop features readings and discussion from local contributors Julie Farrell and Committee member, Fergus Murray, hosted by writer Elspeth Wilson. Tickets are available here to attend both in person or online, with free and low-cost options to keep the event accessible to all. Ticket prices can be redeemed against the cost of the book.

5. Neurodiverse Connection online ‘meetup’ groups

Neurodiverse Connection have started a number of different online groups for neurodivergent community to meet, connect and share experiences. They are held monthly with groups currently for late discovered neurodivergent people, autistic men and Black autistic people. More information can be found here.

6. Why Autism Isn’t What You Think It Is (and Why That Matters), 2025-09-24

Dr Monique Botha, an autistic psychologist and Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at Durham University, explores how autism is often misunderstood and misrepresented in research and public discourse. In this public lecture – marking the conclusion of their fellowship – Botha interrogates why persistent negative attitudes towards autistic people remain, how stigma and dehumanising scientific language contribute to poorer mental health outcomes, and what ethical responsibilities researchers bear in shaping autistic narratives. Botha proposes a new ethical framework for autism research—urging a rebuild of our approach, guided by autistic voices and grounded in dignity, justice and lived experience. Centre for Neurodiversity and Development Public Lecture

7. Number 6 One Stop Shop August and Summer Calendars

Number 6 have just published their August events calendar as well as additional events in their August Summer Activities Calendar. There are a variety of different events, groups and activities which may be of interest.

Other

8. Autism and ADHD pathways to diagnosis

Waiting times and accessibility of diagnosis assessments for autism and ADHD are a major problem for our community. Some of Scotland’s Autistic People’s Organisations (APOs) - AMASE, Autism Rights Group Highland (ARGH) and Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA) partnered with Scottish Autism to carry out research into experiences of diagnosis assessments. The findings of this work are reported on Scottish Autism's site here. They have been picked up by The Herald, with follow up comments from Labour MSP, Daniel Johnson, and the relevant Minister, Tom Arthur, on Friday. Together with representatives from the other organisations involved, we met with the Minister on Monday. The report has also been cited in a Scottish Parliament publication on Neurodevelopmental Pathways and Waiting Times in Scotland.

Around the time the results of this research were published, Scottish Parliament’s Health Social Care and Sport Committee announced they were carrying out an inquiry into ADHD and autism pathways and supports and are seeking views from individuals and organisations. More information on this call for views and how to submit a responses can be seen on the Scottish Parliament website here . There is a deadline of 18 August.

9. Inquiry into neurodivergence in Scotland

Earlier this year AMASE with other APOs met with the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee at the Scottish Parliament, ahead of a debate in the main chamber of the parliament. Following this and engagement with other stakeholders, the Committee has announced that it is instigating an inquiry into neurodivergence in Scotland, amidst concerns over human rights.

10. Research recruiting parents on autistic/non-autistic siblings play

A post-doctorate researcher at Edinburgh University looking at play interactions when there are autistic and non-autistic siblings is recruiting parents. The researcher has confirmed that they meet our research criteria (such as meaningful involvement of autistic people, ethics approval and on a helpful topic for autistic community). 

If you are a parent and interested in finding out more about the study, information can be found here. AMASE guidelines on research we would consider sharing are embedded in the contact form for researchers here.