Dear AMASE members,

Now we are back to Greenwich Mean Time, our evenings are dark and it is definitely starting to feel like winter. This can be a difficult time for many, and we thought this Winter Time Wellbeing Guide is helpful https://leedsautismaim.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/12/Winter-Time-Wellbeing-Guide.pdf

A key highlight last month was welcoming Jang Jiyong from the Korean Autistic-led organisation Estas. We hosted a hybrid cross-cultural exchange event on 11 October which was well attended, and a meeting with other Scottish Autistic People’s Organisations. One thing that stood out is that there are common issues for autistic people where-ever they are in the world.

In our October newsletter we asked that you note the date of 29 November for a planned EGM on the revised Constitution for AMASE, as part of becoming a CIC. Unfortunately due to personal issues and capacity, we are going to need to push this back to next year.

As usual, we set out below some events and information coming up that we think will be of interest to you.

Finally, AMASE is a volunteer run organisation that is not currently receiving any funding, and has on-going costs such as insurance and IT.  We made several funding applications over recent months that were not successful, but we do intend to re-apply. In the meantime, If you are able to help organise fund raising ideas please do get in touch. Also if you feel financially able to do so, you can donate to AMASE via PayPal Donate.

Best wishes,

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

1. New monthly Tech meetings over Zoom
2. Regular AMASE Bouldering Trips – Alien Bloc
3. Help organise AMASE social events
4. Number 6 Autism One Stop Shop November Calendar
5. Cross Party Group on Autism AGM, 2025-11-24, 2-4pm
6. Lighthouse Radical Book Fair event - Divergent: Weird Pride, Unruliness & Outsider Wisdom, 2025-11-8, 4:30-5:30pm
7. Aurora Consulting, Autistic Pride Festive SpInfodump session, 2025-12-09, 5:30-7pm
8. Neurodiversity Global Seminar Series talk “Labels and Beyond: The Indian Journey of Neurodiverse Identities”, 2025-11-12, 1pm
9. SWAN webinar “Call to Play” with Max Alexander, 2025-12-11, 6:30-8pm  
10. St Cecilia’s Hall, University of Edinburgh’s Quiet Concerts
11. EDAC Table Talk Podcast - Autistic Male Experiences with Luis Robertson
12. Responses to the Scottish Government’s proposed Long Term Conditions Framework (LTCF)

AMASE events:

1. New Monthly Tech meetings over Zoom 

Last month a few members in the #Tech channel chat on the AMASE Discord got together over Zoom, to chat about anything tech-related. They are looking to hold regular informal meetings going forward. If this may be of interest to you keep an eye out in the #Tech channel. If you do not use Discord, then let us know via [email protected] if you would like to be informed when these meetings are happening.

2. Regular AMASE Bouldering Trips – Alien Bloc

We are having informal fortnightly bouldering sessions at Alien Bloc, in Canonmills. The next one is on 15 November, starting at 11:30am. 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. 

3. Help organise AMASE social events

We recently shared a poll asking members about what kind of social gatherings they would like to see from AMASE. Thank you to all who responded.

Responses indicate a good level of interest in both online and in-person gatherings, with popular ideas including socials revolving around arts and crafts, Tabletop Roleplaying Games, a book club, walking group and visits to exhibitions or museums. 

Our new committee member, Elly, is forming a working group to start getting some of these ideas off the ground. If you’d like to get involved, please email [email protected] or tag Elly in the #amase-events Discord channel.

Other events:

4. Number 6 Autism One Stop Shop November 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/2025/10/November-Calendar-2025.pdf 

5. Cross Party Group on Autism meeting and AGM, 2025-11-24, 2-4pm

This hybrid event is open to all and continues the current theme of intersectionality. As well as the AGM this meeting will look at autism and aging, focusing on the experiences of older autistic people in Scotland. You can register to attend on line using the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1896156307559?aff=oddtdtcreator

If you wish to attend in person do let us know, but as this is limited to two per organisation we will draw one place out of a hat (with the other going to an aging Committee member!)

6. Lighthouse Radical Book Fair event - Divergent: Weird Pride, Unruliness & Outsider Wisdom, 2025-11-8, 4:30-5:30pm

This event is part of Edinburgh’s Radical Book Fair, which this year is on the theme of Ecosystems of Change. Chaired by AMASE Committee member Fergus Murray, there will be a range of speakers and featured books. For more information and to book tickets, see https://lighthousebookshop.com/events/divergent-weird-pride-unruliness-and-outsider-wisdom 

7. Aurora Consulting, Autistic Pride Festive SpInfodump session, 2025-12-09, 5:30-7pm

Our friends at Autistic Pride Aberdeen and Aurora consulting are hosting a festive SpInfodump session on 9 December. This session is free and for autistic people and allies, where autistic people can infodump about a topic they are passionate about. Tickets are available from:

https://www.auroraconsulting.scot/events/autistic-pride-online-dec2025 

8. Neurodiversity Global Seminar Series talk “Labels and Beyond: The Indian Journey of Neurodiverse Identities”, 2025-11-12, 1pm

This is the final talk in the current Neurodiversity Global Seminar Series, which aims to facilitate interdisciplinary dialogue on neurodiversity by bringing together researchers and practitioners from various cultural contexts. This talk invites reflection on how human diversity is understood through the lens of neurodiversity in India. It will explore how labels can both empower and constrain and asks how we might move beyond categorisation to recognise and affirm the full spectrum of human diversity. You can register here: 

https://www.durham.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/neurodiversity-development/about-us/events/neurodiversity-global-seminar-series-2025/ 

9. SWAN webinar ‘Call to Play’ with Max Alexander, 2025-12-11, 6:30-8pm

On 11 December SWAN are hosting a free webinar titled ‘Call to Play’, featuring AMASE member Max Alexander. “Join Max Alexander to tap into your play instincts and needs and explore how you might make more space for these in your day to day life”. For further information and to book tickets see: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/swan-webinar-call-to-play-tickets-1863293373639 

10. St Cecilia’s Hall, University of Edinburgh’s Quiet Concerts

You may be interested in the wide-ranging and frequent music concerts held at St Cecilia’s Hall, part of the University of Edinburgh, in particular the regular Quiet Concerts. These are organised by the "Autist in Resident", with accessibility in mind such as keeping numbers down and providing a range of seating options and silent or low level applause.

More information can be found at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/st-cecilias-hall-the-university-of-edinburgh-6281103087 

Other:

11. EDAC Table Talk Podcast - Autistic Male Experiences with Luis Robertson

On 11 September Committee Member Luis Robertson spoke in EDACs podcast about his experiences as an autistic male with disordered eating and this can be listened to through the EDAC website here https://edacresearch.co.uk/podcast-and-blog/13/the-table-talk-podcast-episode-7-autistic-male-experiences-with-luis-robertson

EDAC is a UK collaborative that aims to improve understanding of eating disorders and Autistic people and develop better supports and treatments.  

12. Responses to the Scottish Government’s proposed Long Term Conditions Framework (LTCF)

The Scottish Government’s have now published an analysis of responses to its consultation on the LTCF, which aims to improve outcomes for people living with long term conditions across Scotland. 

Key to this is the balance between a general framework and taking actions to support particular conditions - the balance between a cross-cutting and condition-specific approach, which was supported by the majority of respondents. Not surprisingly othe themes that emerged are:

• Challenges in service delivery, including staff recruitment and retention;
• Under-recognition of the role of the third sector;
• The need to continue condition-specific work, considering prevalence, health inequalities and unmet need;
• The importance of a whole-system and person centred approach, which recognises the extent of co-occuring conditions.

The full analysis of the consultation responses can be seen here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/long-term-conditions-framework-consultation-analysis/