How Social Media Can Influence Identity - from a Neurodivergent Lens
I recently spoke to the young people at Ambitious about Autism’s youth network on social media and identity from a neurodivergent lens. I learned a lot whilst prepping for it that I thought was worth sharing.
Many of us are aware that we spend a lot of time online…
Autism Acceptance Week: What is Autism and What Does Acceptance Look Like?
I was sixteen when the question of whether I could possibly be autistic arose and, at this stage, my understanding of autism was limited. I thought about the TV series Atypical that I had recently watched and about Sheldon from The…
One Year of Girl Unmasked
It is the 28th March 2025 - one whole year since the publication of Girl Unmasked: How Uncovering My Autism Saved My Life. One year ago today, at my book launch, I stood at the front of a room packed with almost everyone I loved and cried for a solid twenty minutes....
Autism, ADHD and Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD)
I recently worked with the National Centre For Autism and Mental Health (NCAMH) to record some podcasts as part of course content for their diploma. One of these was on autism and Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD)…
There is a Life After Rock Bottom
There is a life AFTER rock bottom. I wish I could have known that there was a life waiting for me away from feeling ‘stuck’ in the system. Away from assumptions. Away from ‘she has EUPD’ and ‘at risk of repeated admissions’ and away from…
Neurodiversity Celebration Week
It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week - a week for neurodivergent people to celebrate their neurodivergence (if they want to), to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions and to advocate for more inclusive and supportive environments where everybody can flourish…
International Women’s Day 2025: The Fight For Neurodivergent Women and Girls
It’s International Women’s Day 2025 and gender inequality and health inequalities still have major consequences for neurodivergent women and girls. Whilst there have been changes and improvements (for example, the narrowing…
The Publishing Process and How I Became a Sunday Times Bestseller
As we approach paperback launch week (which is NEXT week!), I feel a bit like I’m saying goodbye to the hardback era of Girl Unmasked. I know many people prefer paperbacks - they’re cheaper, lighter and have a different feel. I’ve always been a firm paperback lover too, but…
BBC Disclosure: Kids on the Psychiatric Ward - A Reflection
BBC Scotland’s Disclosure ‘Kids on the Psychiatric Ward’ tells the stories of young adults who were patients at Skye House, a children’s mental health unit in Glasgow, between 2017 and 2024. I have just watched the programme and…
School-Based Anxiety and Attendance
Sometimes it feels like the only thing that matters to politicians and education leaders is school attendance. And when they declare that the best place for children to be is in school, it makes me feel like my school experience doesn’t matter, and makes me feel angry for all the children…
Authentically Emily Update - Book Guide, Girl Unmasked Paperback, Giveaway and Talks
Hello and happy Monday!
This is a bit of a rambly post with a few updates rather than my usual blog post.
Autism and ADHD Book Guide
ARFID is Not ‘Fussy Eating’: The Truth About Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
Sky News published an article yesterday titled ‘ARFID: The little-known eating disorder that is on the rise’ and the responses on social media highlight the extent of stigma and misunderstanding surrounding this condition…
Managing a Trip to Thailand as an Autistic Person
I absolutely love seeing and exploring new places, but when my boyfriend suggested that we plan a trip to Thailand, I was initially hesitant. Being autistic means that some things can be more challenging, and I felt anxious about many things, like…
Autism and ADHD Book Guide - for Children, Young People, Parents and Professionals
To quote Elle McNicoll, incredibly talented and awesome neurodivergent author, “Every child deserves to see themselves reflected positively in stories…The world needs unapologetically neurodivergent characters.”
In this book guide you will find book recommendations…
An Autistic Guide to Christmas
Some people love Christmas and some people hate it. I imagine most of us who celebrate fall somewhere in the middle. There have been Christmases where I’ve felt so excited and full of joy. There was also a Christmas when I lay on the sofa in another room, too low to join in…
How to Manage a Long-Haul Flight as an Autistic ADHDer
I just had the most amazing two weeks in Thailand (like two of the best weeks of my life). We flew to Bangkok where we stayed for 2 nights before going to Chiang Mai for 4 nights, then Koh Samui for 3 nights and Koh Tao for 5 nights before heading back to…
Anti-Bullying Week: Autism and Bullying
This week (11th - 15th November) is anti-bullying week, which takes place every year. Considering that approximately 30% of children are bullied each year, with 1 child in every classroom experiencing bullying…
The Mental Health Bill: Autism and Sectioning
I survived OCD, anxiety and depression, and growing up autistic without my needs being understood. But I also survived the mental health system - which is something that can be hard to explain.
In September, 2,020 autistic people/people with learning disabilities were in mental health hospitals across England…
World Suicide Prevention Day - Suicide Prevention, Autism, ADHD & Suicide, and a Message to You
Today, September 10th, is World Suicide Prevention Day. In 6 days, it will be 7 years since I was admitted to hospital for the first time. I was 16, had just started sixth form and the years of anxiety and OCD had become too much. I didn’t think I had a future. But I was wrong...
Girl Unmasked - Signed and Dedicated Limited Edition
A limited number of signed and dedicated copies of Girl Unmasked are now available to order exclusively from Coles Books!
Thank you to everyone who has asked for these. I am really excited to be able to dedicate these, sign them and get them into your...