What are your favorite resources for info/tools/knowledge?

Hi Eric,

The First Question of the day at TLCC was great to have a look at personal tools.

A broad selection of info is useful and I always try to go with a lived experience as it most often ticks the boxes for me best.  Also there are a lot of incredibly ableist (maybe well intentioned) pieces of information out there (yes I'm looking at you last TRG eNews).  It was helpful for me to realise just how often ND folk have multiple profiles so for example there is often ADHD info in autistic spaces.  That helps in case you think there might be a missing piece or you are feeling like and imposter because someone is different to you.

Social media continue to be very useful and informative. It's worth actively curating your feed as there is a spread of quality.  TikTok and Instagram are often community favourites.

General resources for work

• Neurodiversity media https://www.neurodiversitymedia.com/
• Genius Within https://www.geniuswithin.org/

Info for individuals

• Aucademy Autistic focus - very clear and specific https://aucademy.co.uk/
• Neuroclastic Great range and quite political https://neuroclastic.com/
• HowToADHD huge resource and easy to consume https://howtoadhd.com/

Tools

As far, as tools go, I love:

• NC headphones ad masking tones (like rain) and I often wear hats to block out bad lighting. 
• Trello: I introduced Trello into my org to block out tasks and reminders for Exec Functioning and Short Term Memory assistance.  We plan this affinity group on trello
• Workflow software like Visio, Miro etc can be great if you prefer to think in pictures and can covey info between different brains well - which is the big challenge.
• Notepad or Jamboard docs to create a central repository to go explore the many ideas you have in a project
• Sensory friendly environments: I'm a huge fan of walking into a meeting and dimming the lights (but also I have a rep and privilege). NB/ It's not a relaxed performance if you foyer looks like the Arc de Triomphe at rush hour
• Having a bug out bag for when I'm overwhelmed and need to go 
• Open to chat and Do Not Disturb signs on my desk (thank you Shelly!)
• Pomodoro timer

Tom's post here was interesting on Dyslexia and looking over an experts (dyslexic) speaker notes was really informative

Support

OK the MOST IMPORTANT thing for me always and forever is working out where your support is coming from.  The single reason most important reason that I'm active in the Tessitura community is mutual support.  I've been in that place where I've be alone and backed into a corner for too long.  When I came out as autistic finally I had no support and set out building it. Same as when I started as a DBA with Tessitura.  List your safe people you can talk questions and info dump too, and who you need to call in a pinch. 

Luckily I'm blessed in that department now thanks to folks here (You know who you are!)

H

These are more general wellbeing resources than specific ones around neurodiversity, but may be of use.

Mental Health First Aid  - here are the various training orgs in the different areas, should anyone be looking for MHFA training. I know the MHFA England has a resource set
USA: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org

UK: https://mhfaengland.org

AUS: https://mhfa.com.au/

Mind also has a variety of resources https://www.mind.org.uk/ 

And if you haven't found it already Heath's  post here on Mental Health Resources

Thanks Carol - Good call (I just completed my MHFA pre TLCC.  Recommended). 

Also a lot of the TLCC self care tips are relevant for general use https://cdn-api.swapcard.com/public/files/60210bc7dd694f3ea73b00bff27c2206.pdf  We had a great time setting these up.

Thanks so much, Heath!

Thanks Caryl! I do remember this from your portion of the panelist discussion and actually have some sessions saved for myself. I appreciate it!