Welcome
This forum belongs to all of us.
This is an invite-only space for past participants of our Discovery Programme.
No one checks every post. We all agree to look after each other and this space.
This forum continues the connection from your Discovery Programme cohort.
Please also read our Values page and our Solidarity Statement.
Who can join
This forum is for people who have completed the Discovery Programme.
You must be 18 or older.
You get access by invitation.
Please don’t share your invite or login with anyone else, even a friend or family member you think would benefit.
If someone you know wants to join the Discovery Programme, ask them to email hello@thrivingautistic.org. We can tell them about upcoming programmes.
If you no longer want to be part of the forum, you can leave at any time.
When we step in
We don’t watch every post. But we will act if something serious happens.
This means:
- threats of violence
- sharing someone’s private details without asking (this is called doxxing)
- illegal content
- someone being targeted or bullied
- someone being in real danger
If you see any of this, email us straightaway: hello@thrivingautistic.org
Our Values
By joining this forum, you agree to share these values with us:
- You choose your own words. Everyone can describe themselves and their own identity and neurodivergence in their own way.
- Be yourself here. This is a place to be your true self. You don’t need to hide your feelings, your body, or how you talk. You don’t need to say sorry for being Autistic. We are all Autistic here.
- Fairness for disabled people. Being neurodivergent is part of being disabled. We believe in fairness and equal chances for everyone. We support other groups who are treated unfairly too. Many of us belong to more than one group like this.
- Our ways of connecting are valued. Some of us focus deeply on one thing at a time. Some of us stim. Some of us use AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication — tools like devices, pictures, or apps that help people communicate without spoken words) to talk. These are good things here, not things to hide.
- We ask, we don’t push. We like to invite people, not force them. We work together instead of telling each other what to do. We support each other through kindness.
- You belong even if you’re different. You don’t have to be like everyone else. We want everyone to feel understood, no matter how they sense or think about the world.
- You can change. People grow and change over time. This is okay. Our community leaves room for that.
- No pressure to act “normal.” We don’t support ways of “helping” that force people to act normal or hide who they are. This includes ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis — a therapy that tries to change how a person acts, often by rewarding “normal” behaviour and discouraging things like stimming) and PBS (Positive Behaviour Support — a similar therapy that can still push people to act “normal”). You can talk about your experience with these, even if it was bad. But we don’t allow people to say these methods are good, because they can hurt our community.
How We Look After Each Other
No one watches this forum all day.
Everyone has a responsibility to keep the space safe.
Being respectful
- Use identity-first language, like “Autistic person.” Use different words if someone asks you to.
- Assume good intent. If a message feels confusing or hurtful, ask about it first. Don’t assume the worst. We all communicate in different ways.
- Don’t use hate speech, slurs, or bullying words. This includes racism, ableism, transphobia, and homophobia. It also includes put-downs about body size, religion, money, age, or where someone is from.
- Please don’t try to convert people to a religion, or away from one.
- This is a safe-for-work space. Don’t post nudity or sexual content.
Harassment and consent
- Don’t harass, bully, stalk, or keep messaging someone who asked you to stop.
- Don’t threaten anyone.
- Don’t encourage anyone to hurt themselves.
- Don’t share someone’s private information without permission.
- Use the name and pronouns a person asks you to use.
- Don’t take screenshots of this forum or share what’s said here anywhere else. This includes other group chats you may share with people from your cohort.
Content and health topics
- Don’t promote autism “cures,” Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), or Positive Behaviour Support (PBS). You can share your own experience, including any harm these caused.
- Don’t give medical advice. You can share your own story. But don’t tell others what treatment or medicine to use. Don’t judge their choices either.
- Don’t share false information, like fake health claims.
- No spam or advertisements.
Trigger Warnings
- Add a trigger warning (TW) before posting about trauma, abuse or other upsetting topics.
- Please don’t share methods or details of self-harm or suicidality.
- If you’re worried about someone’s safety right now, email hello@thrivingautistic.org. We will check in with them directly too.
- If you are in crisis, please look at the crisis support information below first.
Accessibility
- Don’t post flashing or strobing images. These can cause seizures or migraines for some people.
- Add a short description, called alt text, to images when you can. Alt text describes a picture in words, so people who can’t see it still know what it shows.
You can always step away
You don’t have to join every conversation. You never need to explain why. Looking after yourself is part of looking after this community.
If something in the forum upsets you, you can talk to the other person directly, if that feels safe. You can also email us: hello@thrivingautistic.org
This Is Not a Crisis Service
We are not a crisis service. This forum does not replace professional help.
If you or someone you love needs help right now, you can text for free, private support, any time of day or night:
- Ireland: text 50808
- United Kingdom: text 85258
- United States and Canada: text 741741
You may also find the Stimpunks Guide to Coping helpful.
Need More Support?
Want one-on-one support? Want to find a practitioner who understands Autistic and neurodivergent people? Try the Neurodivergent Practitioner Directory.
For any other questions, email hello@thrivingautistic.org
Learn more about us on our Values and Solidarity page.
These community guidelines are open for discussion. Please let us know how this feels for you and if you’d like any further accommodations to meet your needs.
Funded
These resources are freely available to everyone. Open access has been made possible through funding from Rethink Ireland and the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund (DPAF).
