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Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)

@salvesenresearch.bsky.social

Based in The University of Edinburgh, our research is creating new knowledge about neurodiversity, linking research and practice, designing and evaluating ways to support people. In collaborative research partnership with the Scottish charity, Mindroom.

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Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 2d ago

Today we are showcasing a podcast episode from the RECAP podcast featuring SMRC PhD Researcher, @kyleighmelville.bsky.social🌟This episode explores practice surrounding multi-sensory environments in schools + how including and embedding neurodivergent voices fosters genuine sensory inclusion.

Podcast Episode Title: The Problem with School Sensory Rooms Nobody Talks About. Podcast: RECAP. Episode summary: As awareness of neurodiversity grows, more schools are introducing multi-sensory environments but without clear guidance, staff training, or meaningful student input, these environments risk missing the mark. This podcast episode hosted by RECAP's founder Lucie Wheeler and featuring SMRC PhD Researcher Kyleigh Melville offers an honest and thoughtful look at what genuine sensory inclusion can look like, and why listening to neurodivergent voices is essential to ensure schools can become places where every child can thrive.

The QR code to access the episode is underneath the text. There is a graphic of children playing with a texture underlaid the text and QR code.

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 5d ago

Article showcase: @safriedman.bsky.social and @elianfink.bsky.social. This qualitative study explored teachers' perspectives of supporting children with additional support needs (ASN) at the transition to primary school. Link to full article: nasenjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 3w ago

Article showcase: @katiecebula.bsky.social, Amanda Gillooly, Laura Coulthard, @debbieriby.bsky.social, and @profhastings.bsky.social. This study qualitatively explored sibling relationships from the perspective of children with Williams Syndrome and their non-disabled sibling.

The title of this paper is The experiences of children with Williams syndrome and their nondisabled siblings of their relationship. The authors of the paper are Cebula, Gillooly, Coulthard, Riby and Hastings. This research was funded by the Bailey Thomas Charitable Fund. Underneath the paper title. author names, and funder, there is a multicoloured graphic of a pair of siblings playing.

Text: Williams Syndrome (WS) shares some characteristics with other developmental disabilities that have been studies in disabled-nondisabled (ND) sibling relationships. However, there has been minimal research into WS sibling relationships and no qualitative explorations from the children's perspective. This study qualitatively explored sibling relationships from the perspective of children with WS and their ND sibling to better understand support needs. Underneath the text, there is a graphic of a pair of siblings hugging.

Text: Thirty-nine children aged 6-17 years old (20 male, 19 female) participated. There were 20 sibling pairs in which one child had WS and the other was ND (one child with WS did not participate). Siblings were interviewed separately about experiences of their sibling relationship. Data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Underneath the text, there is a graphic of two speech bubbles and a man reading a piece of paper with a blue magnifying glass.

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 3w ago

Today, we're looking back on our PsychologiCALL podcast episode (2022) with @drbeatricehayes.bsky.social. Beatrice discussed the findings from her study on primary school children's perceptions of the risks and benefits of social media use, and how parents and teachers mediate these perceptions. 📱💻🤔

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 4w ago

Article showcase: @fasdresearch.bsky.social, @sineadrhodes.bsky.social and @katiecebula.bsky.social. This study qualitatively explored clinicians' views about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) - diagnostic process, post-diagnostic support and disability identity formation.

The title of the article is Health professionals' views and experiences of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): "If we're not thinking FASD, we're not assessing it, we're not diagnosing it". The authors of the article are Miranda Eodanable, Sinead Rhodes and Katie Cebula. Underneath the article title and author names, there is a graphic of three health professionals wearing light blue uniforms and holding orange clipboards.

Text: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition and disability resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure. There is limited research with health professionals regarding views of clinical practice and low diagnostic rates of FASD persist in the UK. This study qualitatively explored clinicians' views about the FASD diagnostic process, post-diagnostic supports and the formation of disability identity. Underneath the text, there is a graphic of a clipboard and a female health professional thinking to herself.

Text: Twenty-five clinicians across NHS Scotland were interviewed online about: FASD knowledge and training, Clinical practice, Facilitators and barriers in FASD practice, and Diagnostic impact on young people's self and disability identity. A study advisory group provided feedback on the research design, materials and supported participant recruitment. Interview transcripts were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Underneath the text, there is a graphic of three yellow speech bubbles and a paper document with a pencil.

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · last mo.

🔔 Upcoming event! Defining Neurodivergent Affirming Spaces, a project by @drhelenkara.bsky.social, Dr Kate Fox and @autgeek.bsky.social. Funded by @isrfoundation.bsky.social. Free online webinar on Thursday July 16th, 6:30pm-7:30pm BST. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/presenting...

Presenting our Neurodivergent Affirming Space Research & Definition

With Dr Kate Fox & George Watts

eventbrite.com

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · last mo.

Four of our PhD researchers will be presenting at The Neurodevelopment and Neurodiversity Annual Conference 2026 (#NDAS2026) at @durham.ac.uk on June 30th. Thank you Prof @debbieriby.bsky.social, Prof @mimhanley.bsky.social and Durham colleagues for organising NDAS this year.

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · last mo.

Today, we're looking back on our PsychologiCALL podcast episode in 2020 with Professor @drjennyg.bsky.social, where her team at @pedalcam.bsky.social explored the effect of pretend play with a peer by undertaking detailed behavioural coding of social pretend play in 134 pairs of 5-year-old children.

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Today, we're looking back on our PsychologiCALL podcast episode with @katiecebula.bsky.social in 2020 on sibling relationships and Williams Syndrome (WS). Katie chatted with @suereviews.bsky.social about a questionnaire study she conducted on sibling adjustment and relationship quality in WS.

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 2mo ago

We are delighted that @cjcrompton.bsky.social has been awarded the International Society for Autism Research 2026 Early Career Investigator Award. Scan the QR codes to read her ground-breaking work on information transfer, neurodivergent peer support in schools and inclusive research practice! 🎉

The titles and QR codes of five research papers are listed on this page. Paper title 1: Information transfer within and between autistic and non-autistic people. Paper title 2: Visuospatial information transfer and task self-assessment within and between autistic and non-autistic adults. Paper title 3: Health experiences and outcomes of autistic and non-autistic adults with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorder. Paper title 4: Neurodivergent-designed and neurodivergent-led peer support in school - A feasibility and acceptability study of the neurodivergent peer support toolkit (NEST). Paper title 5: Applied Principles for Inclusive Practice in Neurodevelopmental Research - A Selection and Report of Illustrative Case Studies.

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 2mo ago

#HappyPrideMonth! 🌈 Pride Month is about celebrating the hard-won progress that has been made, whilst also encouraging everyone to continue to work together in creating a world where every LGBTQIA+ person is living free from discrimination, prejudice, and inequality.

Happy Pride Month! Every June, Pride Month is about celebrating the hard-won progress that has been made, whilst also encouraging everyone to continue to work together in creating a world where every LGBTQIA+ person is living free from discrimination, prejudice, and inequality. From all of us at the SMRC, we wish you a Happy Pride Month!

Underneath the text, there is a graphic of seven hands holding the seven different Pride flags. The SMRC website is underneath the graphic.

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Article showcase: @lukawhite.bsky.social, Kiilas Vel Ixqe, Karen Goodall and @karri-g-smith.bsky.social. The aim of this study was to explore how autistic and gender minority stress, resilience, and camouflaging predicts mental health outcomes in transgender and/or non-binary (TNB) autistic adults.

Title of the paper is "Minority Stress, Camouflaging and Mental Health Outcomes in Transgender and/or Non-Binary Autistic Adults". The authors of the paper are Luka C. J. White, Kiilas Vel Ixqe, Karen Goodall, and Karri Gillespie-Smith. Underneath the paper title and authors, there is a graphic of a woman sitting down with a thought cloud above her head, the thought cloud is filled with dark scribbles. The background of this picture is light pink-blue-white, representing the colours of the transgender pride flag.

Text: Transgender and/or non-binary (TNB) autistic adults may have worse mental health compared with the general population. However, little research has explored mental health in adults who are both autistic and TNB. The aim of this study was to examine how autistic and gender minority stress, resilience, and camouflaging predict mental health outcomes in TNB autistic adults in the UK.

Under the text, there are two graphics of hands reaching up. One graphic is coloured blue-pink-white, representing the colours of the transgender pride flag. The other graphic is coloured yellow, white, purple, and black, representing the colours of the non-binary pride flag.

Text: 412 TNB autistic participants completed an online survey. The survey consisted of the following measures: Gender Minority Stress and Resilience Scales, Autistic Minority Stress and Resilience Scales, Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist. Statistical analyses (correlations and regressions) were then carried out.

Underneath the text, there is a graphic of a person filling in a survey and a graphic of data being analysed.

Sue Fletcher-Watson @suereviews.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Are you Trans? Autistic? Both? Please tell us about your experience of hiding aspects of your identity and the impact of that on your mental health Online survey study, takes about 15 minutes. edinburgh.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_... (replaces previous post with wrong link) #AutRes

This image is a recruitment advertisement for a survey study about autism, gender identity, and masking. It contains images of the trans pride flag, rainbow infinity symbol and a QR code. The text on the advertisement states ‘participate in our survey and tell us about your experience of hiding your identity. To access the survey or learn more about the study please use the QR code below or follow this link. The main researcher for this project is Mark Somerville, a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh. The link provided on the image is in the main post.

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Article showcase: Vilas Sawrikar, Kyle Buchan and @karri-g-smith.bsky.social (SMRC Associate) @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social School of Health in Social Science. This study explored young people's perspectives on key attributes of technology-enabled personalised youth mental health care for depression.

The title of the paper is 'Young people's perspective on technology-enabled personalised youth mental health care for depression in the UK. The authors of this paper are Vilas Sawrikar, Kyle Buchan and Karri Gillespie-Smith. All authors are based in the School of Health in Social Science and Child Adolescent Mental Health Research Centre, University of Edinburgh.

Underneath the paper title and authors, there is a graphic of a woman looking at a tablet. There is a graphic of a green brain with hands underneath next to the woman.

Text: New models of youth mental health care are being introduced in the UK as part of the NHS's Long Term Plan. However, little is known about how to design and implement such models for depression. The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore young people's perspectives on key attributes of technology-enabled personalised youth mental health care for depression to ensure important elements are implemented.

Underneath the text there is a graphic of three people wearing black and yellow clothing talking to one another, and there is a glowing lightbulb above them.

Text: Perspectives were collected over two phases. Phase 1: 37 young people were interviewed and presented with two scenarios of depression differentiated by clinical stage. The young people were asked to outline key attributes of care. Phase 2: 8 young people participated in a group workshop to co-design digital care pathways. Recordings of the workshops were analysed thematically to identify key service, model and digitised care attributes.

Underneath the text, there is a graphic of two people sitting down in brown chairs having a conversation.

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Today we are showcasing a podcast episode from The Cool Cat Teacher Talk Podcast featuring former SMRC Director, @suereviews.bsky.social 🎉 This episode explored topics such as the double empathy problem, the importance of quiet spaces, and monotropism. www.coolcatteacher.com/neurodiverse...

Text: The Beautiful Nuance of Neurodiversity in the Classroom. Vicki Davis sits down with Vanessa Castaneda Gill and Professor Sue Fletcher-Watson to explore what teachers can do to support their students in the classroom. This podcast explores the double empathy problem, the importance of quiet spaces, monotropism and how designing learning spaces for the edges benefits all students. This episode also offers practical strategies educators can implement right away into their practice. QR code is centred underneath the text.

Katie Cebula @katiecebula.bsky.social · 3mo ago

⭐ Seeking members for a small research Community Advisory Group. ⭐ Project focuses on the school experiences of care experienced neurodivergent children

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 3mo ago

It's #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth and this week is #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek. If you've ever wondered how you can better understand and support mental health within neurodivergent people and neurodivergent communities, stay tuned for SMRC research showcases.

There is a light green pattern in the background. Overlaid on top of the green pattern, there is the following text: Mental Health Awareness Month. Raising awareness and creating a society where everyone's mental health is supported and understood. Visit the SMRC website to explore how our research is exploring and supporting mental health in and with neurodivergent communities.

Underneath the text, there is a graphic of a green brain surrounded by clouds, stars, circles and plant life. Underneath the graphic, the SMRC website is centred.

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 3mo ago

📚 Double Book Launch 📅 Wednesday May 6th, 15:00 – 17:00 BST 📍 Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI), @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social, (FREE, In-Person only) Register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/salvesen-m...

Image is on a pastel rainbow blot background. At the top are the logos of the Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (impactful neurodiversity research), the University of Edinburgh Disabled Staff network and the University of Edinburgh.

The text reads: The Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre and the University of Edinburgh’s Disabled Staff Network warmly invites you to the book launch of:

- It Takes All Kinds of Minds: Fostering Neurodivergent Thriving at School

- Neurodiversity: A Very Short Introduction

Wednesday May 6th, 2026, 3pm – 5pm

Edinburgh Futures Institute, University of Edinburgh.

The front covers of both books are shown (It Takes All Kinds of Minds has a multicoloured geometric pattern and the Neurodiversity book has a mustard coloured cover which fades downwards into green) To book a free place: https://Book-Launch-May-2026.eventbrite.co.uk

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Today we are showcasing a published article by @safriedman.bsky.social, Sara McHaffie, Roan Noble and Anna Stenning. This study qualitatively explored how autistic people define and experience connection to nature, and how autistic perspectives can dismantle ableist views in ecopsychology.

The title of this paper is 'A deep, empathetic, wondrous connection': Autistic adults' definitions and experiences of nature connection'. The authors of this paper are Samantha Friedman, Sara McHaffie, Roan Noble, and Anna Stenning. There is a graphic of a bird flying over some green pine trees underneath the list of authors.

The aim of the study is outlined. There is a graphic of a green wreath with six people inside the wreath centred underneath the study outline.

Description of the survey used in the study. 108 autistic adults filled in the survey. The focus question and definition of nature is outlined. In the background, there are light green paint circles.

Description of the themes researchers found from the data. There is a graphic of two people wearing yellow shirts hugging a globe underneath the theme descriptions.

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Two SMRC PhD researchers are looking for research participants! 🔎 Making autistic community spaces more accessible and inclusive for autistic people with higher support needs - @autgeek.bsky.social Concealing Gender Identity and Neurodivergent: The Consequences of 'Blending In' - Mark Somerville

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Today we are showcasing a podcast episode from The Late Diagnosis Club featuring one of the SMRC’s PhD Researchers, George Watts @autgeek.bsky.social 🎉George shared how their experience of researching autism helped them discover that they themselves were autistic. shows.acast.com/the-late-dia...

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Free public lecture: Horror, hype or hope? Exploring AI-enabled toys and educational technologies for neurotypical and neurodivergent young children 📆Thursday May 7th, 16:00 – 17:00 BST 📌@morayhouse.bsky.social and online Speaker: Prof @drjennyg.bsky.social Register: edin.ac/4sFnlYZ

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 4mo ago

April 2026 is #WorldAutismAcceptanceMonth ! 🌈 If you've ever wondered how you can better understand and support autistic people in your life, or if you're curious to learn more, stay tuned for autism research showcases and podcast episodes from the SMRC.

Text: Autism Acceptance Month. Raising awareness, acceptance, and creating a society where autistic people are supported and understood. Visit the SMRC to explore how our research is supporting autistic flourishing in school, work and society. There is a rainbow spectrum design overlaid underneath the text and a graphic of a group of multicultural people. The SMRC website is underneath the graphic.

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Seminar 2 of the @bpsofficial.bsky.social-funded "Building Anti-Ableism Through Representation in Children’s Material Culture" series. "Books and Reading" : Disability and Neurodivergent representation in children's books. Hosted by SMRC Director @katiecebula.bsky.social and Dr Charlotte Webber.

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Rounding up #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek, we are showcasing an article by @karri-g-smith.bsky.social, Ally Pax Arcari Mair, Aljawharah Alabtullatif, Helen Pain and Doug McConachie. This study explored inclusive accounts of friendship and autistic perceptions and experiences of friendship.

The title of the article is 'A Spectrum of Understanding: A Qualitative Exploration of Autistic Adults' Understandings and Perceptions of Friendship(s)". This article was written by authors Gillespie-Smith, Mair, Alabtullatif, Pain and McConachie. Underneath the authors names, there is a graphic of two hands holding each other with a red thread around them, creating an infinity symbol.

Background for the study and the aim of the study is explained above a picture of two hands making a pinky-promise.

The study's participants and how their experiences were collected in the study are described. Underneath the description, there is a graphic of two speech bubbles (one pink, one blue) next to a graphic of a person typing on a laptop.

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Today we are showcasing a published article by @heasutherland.com (@cam.ac.uk), @cjcrompton.bsky.social, Joseph Long (Scottish Autism) and @suereviews.bsky.social in the Sage journal Neurodiversity. This study explored autistic people's experiences of social communication with non-autistic people.

The title of the article is 'Read my lips, not my body: a thematic analysis of autistic people's social communication preferences, experiences and expectations.' The authors of this article are HEA Sutherland, Catherine Crompton, Joseph Long and Sue Fletcher-Watson. There is a graphic of three people with speech bubbles underneath the authors' names.

There is a graphic of four people with differently coloured speech bubbles underneath a description of the study background and aim.

Description of the participants and what they were asked in an online focus group. There is a graphic of a woman with long brown hair at a computer and three pink speech bubbles with yellow markings underneath the description.

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Today we are showcasing an article by @cjcrompton.bsky.social, @aalcorn.bsky.social, @katiecebula.bsky.social and @suereviews.bsky.social in the journal Frontiers for Young Minds. This article accessibly explains what neurodiversity is and how neurodivergent people can experience day-to-day life.

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 5mo ago

It's Neurodiversity Celebration Week! This worldwide initiative aims to transform perceptions and support for neurodivergent people and create more inclusive, equitable and empowering cultures. Get involved at www.neurodiversityweek.com + look for SMRC research highlights throughout the week! 🌟

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 5mo ago

🔔Fully-funded ESRC PhD studentship opportunity at The University of Edinburgh! Supervised by @katiecebula.bsky.social, Dr Michael Fleming and Patricio Troncoso + in collaboration with Mindroom and Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) www.sgsss.ac.uk/studentship/...

Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC)@salvesenresearch.bsky.social · 5mo ago