Dear AMASE members,

We are now well and truly into Autumn. As the days become shorter it is important to think about self-care and wellbeing - especially when faced with things like the harmful misinformation about autism that has recently come out of the US administration. AMASE has published a position statement in response to this.

In this newsletter we have included various events that might be of interest to you. In particular on 11 October, we are delighted to welcome Jang Jiyong from the Korean Autistic-led organisation Estas, who will be giving a talk about Korean culture and the situation for autistic people in Korea.

We are also planning an Extraordinary General Meeting next month, on AMASE’s incorporation into a CIC, and we are working to establish a working group to help organise social events. 

Best wishes,

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

1. Korean-Scottish Autistic Cross-Cultural exchange event, 2025-10-11, 1-3pm
2. Regular AMASE Bouldering Trips – Alien Bloc
3. AMASE Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) For Incorporation, 2025-11-29, 1:30-3:30pm
4. Number 6 Autism One Stop Shop October Calendar
5. Number 6 Autism One Stop Shop Edinburgh Council Funding Meetings
6. Neurodiverse Connection Wellbeing Course, starting 2025-10-14
7. Book Launch: Applications & Practices for Empowering Neurodivergent Learners, 2025-10-06, 6-8:15pm
8. ADHD and Autism Pathways in Scotland
9. Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) Social Care Charging Policy Consultation (closing 22 October)

AMASE Events:

1. Korean-Scottish Autistic Cross-Cultural exchange event, 2025-10-11, 1-3pm 

Join us in person or online on Saturday 11 October for a Korean-Scottish autistic cross cultural exchange event as we welcome Jang Jiyong (aka Alvis) from the Korean Autistic-led organisation Estas. Jang will be giving a talk covering Korean culture from K-pop demon-hunters to the situation for autistic people in Korea. AMASE co-founders Fergus and Sonny first met Jang when he last visited Edinburgh in 2018. For further information and to obtain tickets, please go to https://luma.com/48s9n2w2.

2. Regular AMASE Bouldering Trips – Alien Bloc

A few of us have really been enjoying bouldering sessions at Alien Bloc, Canonmills. We are hoping to make these a fortnightly event, with the next one falling on 18 October, starting by 11:30. All levels are welcome - no experience required. Entry is £13 (plus £3.50 shoe hire if needed). If you're thinking of coming for the first time, please let us know by email or on Discord. If you can find Kifl, a small, friendly, charcoal-grey dog with a brown moustache, she will be with one of us - please say hi!

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

3. AMASE Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) for Incorporation, 2025-11-29, 1:30-3:30pm

AMASE is currently a constituted voluntary association, and at previous Annual General Meetings, members have approved AMASE incorporating into a Community Interest Company (CIC). Members of the Committee have been working on what this could look like and how the current Constitution would need to change. It is a requirement that changes to the Constitution are approved at a members General Meeting. To do this, AMASE is holding an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on 29 November, 1:30-3:30pm, where information about the new structure of the organisation and proposed changes to the Constitution will be discussed for approval. At this stage it is a date to hold in your diary. All members will be invited to this meeting, although only full members can vote.

Other Events:

4. Number 6 Autism One Stop Shop October Calendar

The Number 6 October calendar listing groups and activities they will be running this month can be seen here: https://autisminitiatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/October-Calendar-2025.pdf

5. Number 6 Autism One Stop Shop Edinburgh Council Funding Meetings

The City of Edinburgh Council are making some changes to the funding for post diagnostic support that will impact Number 6. Number 6 are looking to discuss this with their members and are holding an in-person meeting on Tuesday 7 October at 6pm at Hill Street for those who use their services and are Edinburgh-based. There will also be an additional, online meeting on Thursday 9 October at 5:30pm for others who would like to attend. If you are interested in attending then email [email protected].

6. Neurodiverse Connection Wellbeing Course, starting 2025-10-14

Neurodiverse Connection are running Neurodivergent Wellbeing courses starting on 14 October and they have confirmed there are few remaining places. Further information can be found at https://ndconnection.co.uk/ndwatraining.

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

There are still tickets available for the hybrid launch event of Applications & Practices for Empowering Neurodivergent Learners on Monday 6 October (6–8:15pm). The event will feature the editors, Dr Nathan Keates and Dr Krysia Waldock, alongside contributions from authors and key voices in education and neurodiversity: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launchapplications-practices-for-empowering-neurodivergent-learners-tickets-1548533719039

Other:

8. Autism and ADHD Pathways in Scotland

We are seeing continued interest in this area at all levels. On 24 September, Leo Starrs-Cunningham representing AMASE with ARGH and SEMA met with the new Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing to discuss the state (or lack-there-of) of Adult Assessment Pathways and Post-diagnostic support. 

Tom Arthur is keen to continue dialogue with us, so we can raise other issues our community faces. Whilst the meeting was relatively brief it was good, and it was very encouraging to see that he is so keen to hear from our community more directly than through others (eg civil servants and autism charities). He also expressed his and the Scottish Government's commitment to dispelling the recent misinformation regarding autism coming from the US administration.

Leo also attended the SPICe (Scottish Parliamentary Information Centre) Seminar, showcasing recent research into the state of Neurodivergent Assessment Pathways in Scotland, which was well attended and helped inform the MSPs discussion when ARGH and SEMA presented evidence to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee ‘Inquiry into ASD and ADHD Pathways and Support’ at the end of September.

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

In our previous newsletter we mentioned the EHSCP’s consultation about changing the way they charge people for support. They want to hear how people might be affected by their proposed changes, to start charging those who do not currently pay or to charge more. We are very concerned about what this will mean for disabled people, in particular on what basis they determine “affordability”.

Capella Charity have prepared a document that can be used by others in their consultation responses: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lVRe0AqYCS_2Tzzr_ChctLqiRdXaeDJm/edit