Hello, I’m Aishling, and I’m excited to introduce myself as the new Assistant Psychologist working with Foundations.

As an autistic person, it is a joy to bring my lived experience to my work, grounding my practice in authenticity and helping me connect with the young people and families I meet. I have a special interest in how the process of being identified as autistic is carried out and experienced. When approached through a neuroaffirmative lens, it can be a therapeutic experience, a foundation for self-compassion, and a springboard for developing a positive autistic identity.

Being identified as autistic is an emotional journey. Its a recognition of difference, often shaped by the challenges of living in a world that is not designed for autistic people- sensory overwhelm, unexplained meltdowns, shame and being misunderstood- but also by deep, uninhibited autistic joy, curiosity, passion, focus, empathy, and unique ways of communicating and connecting. These are all wonderful parts of the autistic experience that are overlooked by medicalised assessments which reinforce the idea that autism is an impairment, rather than a valid and valuable way of experiencing the world.

We, as professionals, need to keep critically examining the assessment process. With both my lived and professional experience, I have taken a step back and looked at process through an autistic lens, to think about how it feels at each step. I have seen firsthand how receiving a diagnosis of ‘ASD’, with autistic characteristics framed as deficits can deeply impact self-esteem, leading some children to feel as though being autistic means there is something ‘wrong’ with them. This approach misses the opportunity to set the foundations for a life long journey of self-compassion. I know from my own experience that you cannot change being autistic, but you can explore and embrace the way your brain works, how you communicate, feel, move, and understand your sensory world. You can connect with other neurodivergent people who think like you, and find pockets of the world where you can be yourself and feel at home.

A neuroaffirmative assessment should do more than just label, it should help a person understand how their brain works, highlight their unique strengths and help them understand the reasons behind their challenges. It should affirm the ways autistic people communicate and spend their time, whether that’s preferring not to use eye contact, non-speaking communication, spending hours (and hours) on a passionate interest or hobby, thriving in routines, a need for autonomy or simply needing time alone. It should also acknowledge the disabling aspects of being autistic- not because autism itself is a disorder- but because the world is built around neurotypical norms, which can be exhausting for autistic people like expected eye-contact, constant noise, bright lights, unspoken rules and non-verbal cues,, sitting still at a desk, not flapping your hands when excited, and fast-paced conversation.

Thinking and communicating differently can cause lots of difficulties and distress, which is why I advocate for meaningful assessments which equip families with the tools they need to advocate for change, to create systems and environments where autistic people can thrive. Through the autism identification process, I want autistic people to know the deep joy that comes with living as a well-understood, well-supported autistic person, one who is free to be themselves in a world that values and celebrates them exactly as they are. By continuously reflecting, challenging assumptions, and listening to autistic voices, we can take meaningful steps towards assessments that empower.

I’m excited to continue this work alongside Foundations, a practice that values growth, reflection, and new approaches. I look forward to learning from my colleagues, sharing ideas, and working together to create meaningful, affirming experiences for the young people and families we support.