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Neurodiversity-Affirming
Supporting Autistic People
Grow and Thrive
“Community is magic.
Community is power.
Community is resistance.”
Alice Wong
Helen Edgar
Autistic Advocate, Author & Consultant
Autistic and ADHD (AuDHD), Neuro-Affirming Autism Advocate & Consultant.
Writer, Trainer, Resource Creator.
Interests: monotropism, flow, burnout & neuroqueer theory.
Former SEND EY/Primary teacher specialising in supporting those with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities.
About Me
I am late identified Autistic and ADHD, and a parent to two neurodivergent children.
Qualified Early Years/Primary teacher:
20 years working in SEND Early Years / Primary settings near Birmingham in the UK
(specialism: profound and multiple learning disabilities ).
About My Work
I offer Autism consultancy and training for individuals, families and organisations, in addition to being a published writer. I am dedicated to helping people understand Autism and disability through a neurodiversity-affirming and rights-based approach.
My Values
Being
Neurodiversity-affirming support for young Autistic people. I recognise differences as unique attributes rather than deficits.
My work is trauma-informed and strengths-based to help focus on an individual’s capabilities and potential whilst also recognising the difficulties being neurodivergent can bring in a world not set up for us. I take a low-demand approach, which creates a supportive environment that allows for the development of meaningful connections so individuals can express their authentic selves and advocate for their needs.
Belonging
A sense of belonging is important for well-being. To enable young Autistic people to flourish they first need to feel accepted, to feel understood and to have a sense of belonging.
Developing meaningful relationships and being in an environment that meets sensory, social, and communication needs is really important for fostering a sense of belonging and supporting good mental and physical health. My writing, resources and signposting all promote a neuro-affirming practice so people can make sense of their lives and feel that they belong.
Becoming
Young Autistic people deserve to be able to embrace their authentic Autistic identity. I believe it is important to gain an understanding of Autism through a neurodiversity-affirming lens and to reject the pathologising paradigms that have caused so much harm to neurodivergent people.
Understanding and embracing the neurodiversity paradigm will help parents, carers, and professionals support young Autistic people in becoming the people they want to be. We want everyone to achieve their potential and to be able to thrive in the best ways that work for them.
Special Interests Include
Theory of Monotropism and Burnout
Currently working with
Professional Steering Groups with
Manchester Uni – Families Supporting Young People Experiencing OCD
Birmingham Uni – Autistic Perception & Young Autistic People
PANS/PANDAS Charity UK
References available on request.
Member of
Supporting Young Autistic People in Education and at Home
Discover neurodiversity-affirming resources to help you develop a better understanding of Autism to support the well-being of young Autistic people in educational settings and the family home.
Music: Composed and played by my son, age 11. Published by Quench Arts, Wavelength 10th Anniversary (2023-24). Shared with permission.
Read the transcript of the welcome reel (text file).
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The voice is a computer copy of Helen Edgar’s voice.
Re-Storying Autism
A Framework For Autistic People, Carers and Supporting Practitioners
New 2027 Edition: the Course Book and Companion Workbook
Re-Storying Autism is a collaborative course book and workbook for Autistic people and the families, parents, carers and practitioners who support them, to use on their own or together, at a pace that works for everyone. Grounded in NeuroHub Community’s six-point framework, it centres learning and partnership, inviting readers to honour authentic Autistic needs, identities and ways of being through relationships and environments, rather than attempting to fix or change individuals.
The new 2027 edition is clearer and more accessible: one easy-to-read font, more space between lines, clearer headings, and cream paper with less glare. The new Companion Workbook brings together every reflective question, with full pages to write, draw and reflect. Use the books on their own, or alongside the on-demand video course David Gray-Hammond and I made: seven modules and 63 short lessons, with no deadlines.
Start with the free lesson on monotropism. No sign-up needed. Professional licences for settings are available on request.
The Course Book
Re-Storying Autism: A Framework For Autistic People, Carers and Supporting Practitioners (2027 Edition). Paperback and Kindle.
The Companion Workbook
Every reflective question from the course book, with full pages to write, draw and reflect. Paperback and Kindle.
The Complete Bundle
Pair Re-Storying Autism with my Neuro-Affirming Glossary (2026 Edition) and its Card Deck: 222 words and terms from our community, for our community.
Book reviews
Re-Storying Autism: A Framework For Autistic People, Carers and Supporting Practitioners (2027 Edition)
By David Gray-Hammond and Helen Edgar
★★★★★
Re-Storying Autism offers a rare blend of autistic-led theory, science, lived experience, and practical application that reshapes how families understand support. I especially appreciate how it centers sensory experience, interoception, burnout, identity, and belonging as foundational, not secondary. The reflection questions woven throughout consistently guide curiosity and thoughtful growth. This is the kind of resource that helps people build environments where Autistic people can live with more felt safety, dignity, and self-trust. Highly recommend.
Kelly Mahler, OTD
Author of The Interoception Curriculum
★★★★★
I feel like every autistic person, every home or public space where an autistic person lives should have a copy of your book at hand. It isn’t hyperbole to say that it is the definitive autistic Bible.
So many times, reading through it, I was overwhelmed with joy, thinking that I am so glad that I lived long enough to see this book. It is foundationally resonant with everything that we as autistic people, more than the sum of the parts, have discovered and affirmed for ourselves. It is a precious antidote to the continued (and profitable) sea of misinformation pushed by all of the “experts” — who are almost always neuronormative — that continues to have a tidal wave ensuring autistic suffering.
I just couldn’t be prouder of the way this is so succinctly organised, warmly engaging, far-reaching and connective in the ways that our minds work, and most of all so deeply affirming of the beauty of our way of being. Thank you for the opportunity to share this truly amazing work.
Dr. Dawn Prince-Hughes
Co-Director, Cultural Autism Studies at Yale
★★★★★
Re-framing is the first step toward a new paradigm. “Re-Storying Autism” invites us to move beyond deficit-based narratives and into the neurodiversity paradigm, where Autistic ways of being are understood as valid, meaningful, and human. When we re-story, we shift from fixing people to questioning systems—and from performance to authenticity. At Stimpunks, we see authenticity as our purest freedom: something to be respected, protected, and made possible through environments that allow people to be fully themselves. “Re-Storying Autism” respects, protects, and makes possible our freedom to be authentically ourselves. Highly recommended.
Ryan Boren
Stimpunks
Neurodiversity-Affirming
Webinars, Workshops and Training
Providing neurodiversity-affirming training, workshops, and educational resources for families and professionals to support young neurodivergent people.
CPD-Accredited Professional Training
Tracy Jones and I are working together to provide training for schools and organisations. We explore neurodiversity-affirming ways of supporting Autistic and otherwise neurodivergent children and young people in education.
These training sessions are designed for settings in the UK and can be tailored to meet your individual needs.
Lectures, seminars, and workshops are also available for organisations, teacher-training, education, health, and social care course providers.
Delivered by our sister brand Neuro-Affirming Training.
Workshops
- Neuro-affirming Autistic identity
- Low-demand parenting and teaching strategies
- Methods to support young people who may be experiencing barriers to education
- Understanding burnout and exploring ways forward
- Embracing the theory of Monotropism
I offer bespoke workshops and webinars tailored to individual organisations to meet the needs of neurodivergent families.
Feeling low on coffee & spoons!
These take time to make. Feel free to support by sharing or donating: contributions let me do more.
Many thanks, love and glimmers, Helen x
Resources
Downloadable resources including
e-books, infographics, and more!
Writing
I write about my personal journey and the understanding I have gained so far about being Autistic and through working with Autistic young people and their families.
My writing focuses on understanding the neurodiversity paradigm, embracing neuro-affirming theory and practice, and working towards a humanistic approach to care. I believe in the benefits of developing an understanding of Autistic identity so that people feel empowered to advocate for themselves or support their loved ones or those they work with. It is by developing a deeper understanding of Autistic experience that we can build connections and form communities and a sense of belonging.
Autistic Realms is where I share grounded, neuro-affirming support for families, educators and allies to support Autistic people…
But there’s another thread woven through everything I do…
A slower, stranger, space for art, literature, poetry, philosophical unravellings, and deep neuroqueering ways of becoming…
You’re warmly invited through the portal into More Realms.
This is a space for those who long to wander deeper, into the wild edges of thought, where nature invites pause, neuroqueer ideas take root, and sensory worlds unfold.
A place to linger, to meander through tangled textures, and to drift in spiral time.
Partnerships and Collaborations
I’m active in the neurodivergent community and regularly collaborate with like-minded people, organisations and charities. Together, we explore various aspects of neurodiversity and create resources, training and workshops to support families, professionals and the wider community.
Featured In
With thanks to Ryan Boren, Stimpunks Foundation, for sponsoring some of my Autistic Realms work.