Dear AMASE members,

With the Festival over and schools back in session, the weather is just starting to feel like Autumn. This month we are organising a bouldering trip, and various other events are happening that we thought might be of interest - including an Autistic book launch at Lighthouse Bookshop.

We also have some updates on the AMASE Committee's political activities. On that note, we have recently learned that Number 6 has lost its funding for autism assessments, and its funding for post-diagnostic services is being put out to tender by Edinburgh Council right now, with the same budget covering a much wider population. This could have major impacts on our members and the wider autistic community. Please join the discussion on Discord if you are interested in learning more, and possibly helping us to respond effectively to this.

Best wishes,

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

1. AMASE Bouldering Trip – Alien Bloc, 2025-09-20, 11:00am-1pm
2. AMASE Events and Gatherings Members’ Poll (Closing 30 September)
3. Thriving Autistic Discovery Programme and Celebration, 2025-09-18. 8:45-10:30pm
4. Book Launch: Someone Like Me at Lighthouse, 2025-09-25, 7-8pm
5. Book Launch: Applications & Practices for Empowering Neurodivergent Learners, 2025-10-06, 6-8:15pm
6. Number 6 Autism One Stop Shop September Calendar
7. Autism From The Inside Lived Experience Online Summit, 2025-09-22 to 2025-09-28
8. AMASE Response to ADHD and Autism Pathways Call for Views
9. AMASE Signs Trans+ Solidarity Alliance’s Business Open Letter
10. Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Final Report
11. Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) Social Care Care Charging Policy Consultation (closing 22 October)

AMASE Events:

1. AMASE Bouldering Trip – Alien Bloc, 2025-09-20, 11:00am -1pm

Join us for a bouldering session at Alien Bloc, Canonmills on Saturday 20 September! No experience is needed, all levels are welcome, and AMASE climbers will be there to help people get started. Entry is £13 (plus £3.50 shoe hire if needed).

Sign up on Luma here https://lu.ma/0yord5xt for reminders and to let us know you’re coming. 

​Note that you will be required to sign this waiver before climbing - you might like to sign it beforehand, to save you a bit of time at the venue.

2. AMASE Events and Gatherings Members’ Poll (Closing 30 September)

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the kinds of gatherings, events, or outings you’d like to see AMASE organise. Please take a moment to complete our short poll – your feedback will help shape what we plan next. Please let us have your poll responses by 30 September, but also know that you can email the Committee at [email protected] with any thoughts or suggestions.

Click here to take the survey.

Other Events:

3. Thriving Autistic Discovery Programme and Celebration, 2025-09-18, 8:45-10:30pm

Thriving Autistic are running an online neuro-affirming celebration of Autistic experiences and reflections from their Discovery Programme, a six-week online course for formally diagnosed or self-identified autistic adults. The event launches their Discovery Report, highlighting Autistic stories, insights, and the positive impact of strengths-based support for Autistic adults. There will be a premiere of two short educational animations about Autistic experiences, a panel discussion with the Discovery and animation teams, and a post event community space for further discussion, connecting and celebrating together. 

AMASE co-founder and Committee member Fergus was involved in developing these animations and will be featuring on the panel. You can see details and get tickets to this free event at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/discovery-celebration-autistic-community-shaping-neuro-affirmative-support-tickets-1600581204469 

Thriving Autistic’s Discovery Programme consists of short videos, live sessions, and group discussions on themes like masking, sensory needs, and self-advocacy, with flexible ways to take part. More information can be found at: https://www.thrivingautistic.org/discovery-programme. 

4. Book Launch: Someone Like Me at Lighthouse, 2025-09-25, 7-8pm 

Lighthouse Bookshop is hosting a hybrid event to launch the international edition of an anthology of non-fiction by autistic writers, called Someone Like Me, an anthology of non-fiction by Autistic writers. Fergus has a chapter in this book. 

More details can be found at: https://lighthousebookshop.com/events/someone-like-me-launching-an-anthology-of-non-fiction-by-autistic-writers 

5. Book Launch: Applications & Practices for Empowering Neurodivergent Learners, 2025-10-06, 6-8:15pm

On Monday 6 October (6–8:15pm) is the launch of Applications & Practices for Empowering Neurodivergent Learners. This hybrid event (online and in London) will feature the editors, Dr Nathan Keates and Dr Krysia Waldock, alongside contributions from authors and key voices in education and neurodiversity. Find out more and register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launchapplications-practices-for-empowering-neurodivergent-learners-tickets-1548533719039?aff=erelpanelorg 

6. Number 6 Autism One Stop Shop September Calendar

The Number 6 September calendar listing groups and activities they will be running this month can be seen here: https://autisminitiatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/September-Calendar-2025.pdf

7. Autism From The Inside Lived Experience Online Summit, 2025-09-22 to 2025-09-28

The Autism From The Inside Online Summit is a free week-long, online event featuring more than pre-recorded sessions from expert autistic speakers from across the globe, each sharing their valuable insights and lived experience. New presentations are released each day for five days to watch on-demand at any time.

For more information and to register, see: https://www.autismfromtheinside.com.au/Summit25 

Other:

8. AMASE Response to ADHD and Autism Pathways Call for Views

AMASE submitted a response to the Scottish Parliament Health Social Care and Sport Committee’s call for views on experiences of seeking pathways to diagnosis, treatment and support for ADHD and ASD, ahead of their planned inquiry into this area in autumn.

AMASE’s response can be viewed at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XRRfl1lwD-_pgTIVD77HmI3lIulokHyH/view

9. AMASE Signs Trans+ Solidarity Alliance’s Business Open Letter

AMASE is proud to stand alongside other organisations in signing the Business Open Letter from the Trans+ Solidarity Alliance. The letter calls on the government to reject proposals that would enforce blanket exclusions of trans people from gendered spaces and services - highlighting the harm, costs, and risks such measures would bring.

You can read the full letter here: https://www.transsolidarityalliance.com/businesses-open-letter

10. Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Final Report

The final report of the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment was published on 31 July 2025. Recommendations include a need to take a human rights approach and review eligibility criteria and the application process which still causes significant stress and anxiety, despite austerity and the approach taken by UK government. What will happen with respect to the findings, which are not suprising, is yet to be seen and we do not hold our breath. 

The full report can be seen here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/independent-review-adult-disability-payment-final-report/ 

11. Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) Social Care Care Charging Policy Consultation (Closing 22 October)

With a lack of funds to provide people the care people need, the EHSCP are looking to change the way they charge people for care. They want to hear how people might be affected by their proposed changes, which are looking to start charging those who do not currently pay or to charge more. The EHSCP say that they want to assure that no one will be charged more than they can afford to pay and will carry out a financial assessment, although we know from previous experiences that such approaches often result in increased hardship and unreasonable decisions for many.

For further information and to submit views, go to https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/hsc/charging-policy-consultation/