AMASE Newsletter, April 2026
Apr 07, 2026 5:35 pm
Dear AMASE members,
Welcome to the April newsletter. We hope you are enjoying the lighter days and odd glimmer of spring, in-between the winds, sleet and snow!
April 2, Autism Awareness day, has just passed, but this is not something AMASE as an organisation particularly notes. Awareness efforts have done little to improve understanding, support and inclusion of autistic people, for decades. There is a need to move on from awareness to acceptance, and some mark April as Autism Acceptance month. Our efforts to improve rights and advocate for autistic people are, of course, year long! Last month we published a Manifesto with other Scottish Autistic People’s Organisations (APOs) which we encourage members to share, particularly with candidates in next month's Holyrood election, if you agree with the calls to action.
We had a busy month last month. On Weird Pride Day (the 4th of March) there were several events, including Lightning Talks and panel discussions hosted by AMASE. Catch up on the Weird Pride Day site. We hosted an Income Maximisation workshop run by Into Work looking at topics such as budgeting, energy saving tips and Adult Disability Payments. Participants found it very useful and we will be running another session a little later in the year. The slides that were used are available to be viewed here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q_VFAzevRDK6XDzuuMPTjiqmb6MQPMRo/view.
This month we are holding a couple of regular events, as well as the first meet up of our new Strolling Group, which will be at the Botanics. See below for more details, and other events that may be of interest.
Best wishes,
Fiona, Leo, Gideon, Fergus, Elly, Pete and Luis.
- AMASE Virtual Tech Chat, 2026-04-07, 8-9pm (AMASE Members only)
- New AMASE Strolling Group at the Botanics, 2026-04-26, 2:30-4pm
- Next AMASE body-doubling session, 2026-04-22, 7-8:30pm (AMASE members only)
- Regular AMASE Bouldering Trips – Alien Bloc (18th April and 2nd May, 11:30-2pm)
- ARGH Scotland presents Gideon Henner - Language(s) and Autism, 2026-05-02, 2-3:30pm
- Number 6 Autism One Stop Shop April Calendar
- Scottish APOs publish their 2026 Manifesto
- Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice (EHRCJ) Committee publishes its report on Neurodivergence in Scotland
- LDAN Bill state of play and current proposals
- “Why autism is not a spectrum, but not for the reasons you may have heard”, article by Dr Chloe Farahar
AMASE events:
1. AMASE Virtual Tech Chat, 2026-04-07, starting at 8pm
Members have started informal tech chats for those working in, playing with or learning tech (computer programming, systems administration, internet, accessibility etc). The next one is Tuesday 7th April at 8pm. You can bring a topic you want to discuss. Beginners welcome. To register go to: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/unQ-1YIwQACRR7oZxnpqVw#/registration and check out the #tech channel on Discord for more information.
2. New AMASE Strolling Group at the Botanics, 2026-04-26, 2:30-4pm
We are pleased to announce our first outing with the AMASE strolling Group. This will be at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh on Sunday 26th April, 2:30-4pm, and is a chance to get out in nature and explore surroundings at a relaxed pace. This is open to members and non-members and all fitness levels and abilities are welcome.
We are still finalising some details such as the route we will be taking and will update the event information shortly. In the meantime, you can see more information and sign up here:
3. Next AMASE body-doubling session, 2026-03-18, 7-8:30pm (AMASE members only)
Our next body-doubling session is on Wednesday 22nd April, 7-8:30pm on Zoom. Members have enjoyed these sessions to tackle those tasks that keep getting put off for whatever reason. At previous sessions this has included a range of different things, such as getting in touch with someone, sewing repairs, preparing for a tutorial, and housework.
You can see information on how the session will run, and sign up if you would like to attend here: https://luma.com/22wzfwfz
Some of our members have asked for body-doubling sessions to be held during the day and we are looking to put this in place in the near future.
4. Regular AMASE Bouldering Trips – Alien Bloc
The next fortnightly bouldering sessions at Alien Bloc, in Canonmills held on Saturdays will be on the 18th April and 2nd May. 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, links here (for the 18th April): https://luma.com/po0fcy5m and here (for the 2nd May): https://luma.com/qiiv7zf0
Other events:
5. ARGH Scotland presents Gideon Henner - Language(s) and Autism, 2026-05-02, 2-3:30pm
On Saturday 2 May at 2-3:30pm, ARGH will be hosting AMASE committee member Gideon for a talk and discussion on language(s) and autism. In his presentation, Gideon will critique the pathologisation of autistic communication and language use. Gideon will also look at practical implications for (mis)communication between different neurotypes and within the autistic community. You can find out more information and sign up here:
https://arghscotland.org/argh-presents-gideon-henner-languages-and-autism/
6. Number 6 Autism One Stop Shop April Calendar
The Number 6 One Stop Shop April calendar listing groups and activities they will be running this month can be seen here:
https://autisminitiatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/April-Calendar-2026.pdf
Other:
7. Scottish APOs publish their 2026 Manifesto
Ahead of Scotland’s Parliamentary elections on 7 May, AMASE and several other Scottish APOs published a joint manifesto. This manifesto sets out a strong, values-driven agenda centring autistic people’s human rights, access and co-production in the spirit of “Nothing about us, without us”. The actions would make life better for a many people, whether or not autistic. You can read the full manifesto here: https://amase.org.uk/joint-manifesto-2026/
If you agree with the manifesto’s aims, please do share it with your local MSP candidates and any political groups you are involved with, ask for their support to improve rights and equity for autistic people.
8. Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice (EHRCJ) Committee’s report on Neurodivergence in Scotland
Last month AMASE and a number of other Scottish APOs published results of our members survey into experiences of employment, education and the criminal justice system. These themes were the focus of the Scottish Parliament’s EHRCJ Committee’s inquiry into Neurodivergence in Scotland and the survey helped inform the evidence we gave to the Committee. On 20 March 2026 the Committee published their report on their findings which can be seen at:
9. LDAN Bill state of play and current proposals
The Scottish Government published its document setting out the current situation and thinking around the LDAN Bill: https://www.gov.scot/publications/working-together-towards-learning-disabilities-autism-neurodivergence-bill-march-2026-current-proposals-potential-bill-provisions/
The Bill process has been complex and lengthy, with considerable work done over the last few years by many organisations, including AMASE and other Scottish APOs on its Stakeholder panel. With this session of Parliament now ending, all such work has stopped.
Overall it is disappointing where things have got to. Key questions are still outstanding, including the scope of any proposed Bill. Whether or not things will be taken up by the new government and then progress to an actual Bill is most uncertain.
10. “Why autism is not a spectrum, but not for the reasons you may have heard”, by Aucademy
It can feel like problematic narratives are continually being put out about autistic people in the media. One such problematic article was the 4th March Times Education Supplement (TES) interview with Uta Frith, who has a big voice having been around in the autism world for decades.
Various advocates and allies have responded to the article. One is Dr Chloe Farahar, an autistic researcher and Founder of Aucademy CIC,who looked at why a number of the views by Uta Frith around diagnosis are not only scientifically outdated, but also harmful:
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AMASE is a volunteer run organisation and currently receives no funding. If you feel financially able to do so, please consider making a small donation 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.