The ideas I keep returning to, often in conversation with others. Much of this thinking grows from lived experience and community knowledge, and it moves between my writing here, my collaborations and my published work.
monotropism
Monotropism (Murray et al., 2005) is the theoretical lens at the centre of my work. I am a content researcher at Monotropism.org, where I write seasonal research roundups with Fergus Murray, and I am a member of a monotropism advisory group at King’s College London.
With Stimpunks I co-created the Map of Monotropic Experiences, a free training resource and workbook that uses metaphor to explore attention, flow and burnout.
neuroqueer learning spaces and cavendish space
With Ryan Boren, I have developed an open framework for neuroqueer learning spaces, drawing on Nick Walker’s neuroqueer theory to imagine education that allows freedom of embodiment and cognitive freedom.
Cavendish Space grew from this work: a model of caves, campfires and watering holes for sensory and psychological safety, flow and collaboration.
Read my reflection on the neuroqueer learning spaces webinar with Dr Nick Walker
ecosystemic models of distress
Building on David Gray-Hammond’s ecosystemic model, I am developing a conceptual paper that reframes Autistic burnout and psychosis as relational and environmental responses to chronic neuronormative pressure.
The paper draws on Deleuze and Guattari’s schizoanalysis, Ombre Tarragnat’s ethodiversity, and posthumanist and ecological thinking.
existential diversity
Existential diversity is a concept David Gray-Hammond and I have developed together, exploring existence that extends beyond the bodymind across space and time.
We are slowly writing a book on it, and share early thinking through The Wider Existence.
the neuro-holographic self
I first wrote about the neuro-holographic self, and about neuroqueering in liminal spaces, in two 2024 pieces on More Realms, beginning with Neuro-Holographic Thoughts.
These ideas continue in my forthcoming chapter for Nick Walker’s anthology of neuroqueer theory. You can read more among my essays.
star stuff and queering earth
Two sibling projects with Stimpunks Foundation.
- Star Stuff explores science, posthumanism and ethodiversity.
- Queering Earth reads art, literature and history through a neuroqueer lens.
references
Murray, D., Lesser, M., & Lawson, W. (2005). Attention, monotropism and the diagnostic criteria for autism. Autism, 9(2), 139–156. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361305051398
Walker, N. (2021). Neuroqueer heresies: Notes on the neurodiversity paradigm, Autistic empowerment, and postnormal possibilities. Autonomous Press. https://autonomous-press.myshopify.com/products/neuroqueer-heresies