There’s a quiet revolution happening across Autistic spaces right now. It’s not the kind that shouts from podiums or fills newsfeeds with slogans. It’s the kind that hums beneath the surface, in our conversations, our collaborations, and the growing insistence that Autistic life should be lived on our own terms. For decades, Autistic people have been spoken about rather than with. Services have been designed for us but not by us. Yet, slowly, the tide is turning. More of us are writing, speaking, teaching, and building communities that don’t simply tolerate diversity, they thrive on it. This shift is not about awareness; it’s about power, belonging, and the right to define ourselves. That’s why I’m proud to be part of a network of projects that centre Autistic voice, rights, and wellbeing. Across platforms, we’re creating spaces where lived experience guides the work, not as an afterthought, but as the foundation. If you’re reading this, you’re probably already part of that wave, or curious about how to join it. Here’s where that energy is gathering: The DGH Neurodivergent Consultancy SubstackThis is where I explore the practical side of this work; training, consultancy, and professional development grounded in Autistic expertise. It’s about how we reimagine systems to be neurodivergence competent, not merely compliant. Autistic Substance Use Network (ASUN)a collaborative project co-founded by myself and others with lived experience, where we’re challenging stigma, shaping research, and building pathways of support for Autistic people who use substances. Social Media & EventsSocial media often acts as the connective tissue for this movement. My Emergent Divergence and business page are places where the conversation keeps flowing, from commentary on policy to reflections on Autistic identity and the politics of care. My BooksIf you want to dive deeper into the theory, the philosophy, and the lived texture of Autistic life, my full catalogue of books is available for those who like to explore ideas at length. These works span from addiction and psychosis to monotropism, identity, and the politics of neurodiversity, each one written through a lens of Autistic embodiment and resistance. Autistic Community SpaceBut it’s not all theory and writing. It’s also about practice; about making spaces where we can simply be. That’s what Mindfully Divergent is for, a wellbeing community for Autistic adults to connect, rest, and rebuild. Other OfferingsAlongside that, I’ve gathered recommended services and affiliated training opportunities, all rooted in the same ethos, by Autistic people, for Autistic people, and in solidarity with those who walk alongside us. The Impact Of ConnectionAutistic rights begin with Autistic connection. They grow in the spaces where we share stories, reimagine care, and assert that our lives are not pathologies to be managed, but worlds to be understood. So wander through these links, not as advertisements, but as pathways. Each one is part of the same living network; a rhizome of Autistic knowledge, creativity, and defiance. The future of Autistic community is already here. It’s in our words, our networks, and our refusal to let anyone else define what it means to be human. You're currently a free subscriber to David Gray-Hammond. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription.
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Thursday, 9 October 2025
Building the Future of Autistic Community
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