Autism-Lens

I’m an autistic speaker and writer, using my lived experience and pairing it with the latest research to highlight gaps and failures in care systems. My mission is to speak out so no one is forgotten, ignored, or silenced. As real change happens when lived experience meets evidence.

Not Just Words on Slides: My Experience at the Autism Partnership Board

Attending the Autism Partnership Board for the First Time Attending this meeting for the first time meant a lot to me, it enabled me to bring my own experiences of the systems failures to light. On Monday 23rd June 2025, for the first time, I attended the Autism Partnership Board Meeting for the local council. Read more

November 27, 2025

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avamcauley1

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Social Care & Policy

autism, autismadvocacy, livedexperience, neurodiversity, socialcare
From Powerless to Powerful: My Journey from Hospital Detention to the Houses of Parliament

Speaking Out for the First Time On Tuesday 29th April 2025, I spoke infront of the Houses of Parliament in relation to autistic people and those with learning disabilities being detained in hospitals. I sang a song about my hospital experience as part of the rally, and I delivered a speech to the Department of Read more

November 21, 2025

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avamcauley1

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Advocacy & Activism

activism, advocacy, autism, autistic, disabilityrights, hospitaldetention, humanrights, livedexperience, mental-health, neurodiversity, powerlesstopowerful
Ignored, Forgotten, Hospitalised: The True Cost of Cutting Support

When Support Disappears Overnight In 2023, I was assessed by a new support provider, Seco Support. A provider that actually understood me and could create something bespoke for me. For the first time in a long time, I felt hopeful. Then just a few weeks later, my old support provider pulled out with less than Read more

November 4, 2025

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avamcauley1

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Autism and Social Care

autism, autistic, autistic burnout, hospitalisation, Lived Experience, mental-health, neurodiversity, social-care, system failure, system-failures
Too Complex for the System: Too Human for its Limits?

Imagine trying to thrive in a world that constantly tells you that you don’t fit. Not because you’re broken, but because the system refuses to bend. My name is Ava McAuley, I am the author of this blog, as well as an independent autistic trainer and activist with a deep-rooted passion for neurodiversity, shaped by Read more

October 14, 2025

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avamcauley1

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About Me

autism, mental-health, neurodivergent, neurodiversity

Welcome to My Site

Not Just Words on Slides: My Experience at the Autism Partnership Board

From Powerless to Powerful: My Journey from Hospital Detention to the Houses of Parliament

Ignored, Forgotten, Hospitalised: The True Cost of Cutting Support

Too Complex for the System: Too Human for its Limits?