Catherine Dakin (she/her)

We have been providing specialist advice, training and consultancy in autism and neurodivergence since 2012. We work with individuals, families, professionals and organisations across the UK and internationally. Find out more about our work: atautism.org #Autism

People; "Why do Disabled People live on benefits and make no effort to get a job, why can't they earn money like the rest of us?" Also, the same people; "Why do Disabled People have to be paid for working? Why can't we just let them work for free?"

Following the offensive #autism statement from the US administration, disappointed at the level of unconscious collusion with the pathologizing 'disease/deficit/burden' narrative. For balance, what about the upside of neurological diversity and dismissing this 'cause' notion?

How do we change minds? What is possible? Heba Al-Jayoosi from education, & @ZahilahZulkifli & Catherine Dakin from different countries & health settings, will be speaking to this theme and drawing on their extensive experiences. #AutismArtOfThePossible

@CatherineDakin @ZahilahZulkifli For further information on all 10 speakers, and to book your ticket, visit atautism dot org 📢 Last day to buy your early bird tickets for our conference, 8th October 2025: ‘Autism: The Art of the Possible’ - ‘It’s what I do that counts’. #AutismArtOfThePossible

@dean_margaret2 @haynes_wiley @AutisticDoctor @AllenFrancesMD This is a situation that I'm increasingly seeing in my clinical practice

@haynes_wiley @AutisticDoctor @AllenFrancesMD As someone with a diagnosis of BPD/EUPD which I have always contested, my later autism diagnosis is me. But when I contest the EUPD dx I get told that contesting it proves the BPD dx.

As alleged expert on personality diagnosis (wrote DSM section/founded personality journal) I must confess to perpetual confusion on best method. DSM/ICD/psychologist's dimensions all have fatal flaws. Personality diagnosis is crucial in clinical work but definitional nightmare.

@steele_mik28277 @AutisticDoctor @AllenFrancesMD Care to elaborate on your point?

@CatherineDakin @AutisticDoctor @AllenFrancesMD She/her Are people still doing that nonsense.

@AutisticDoctor @AllenFrancesMD When you look into their development and early history, it usually becomes very apparent that there should be consideration for exploring neurodivergence. While in the present moment there might be similarities, their history demonstrates otherwise

@AllenFrancesMD Do you agree with the emerging literature (and well established community wisdom) that many of those dx’d with PD, esp BPD/EUPD are actually autistic & it’s been missed?

...about #autistic people, are barriers to positive outcomes such as wellbeing or thriving at school? Our three speakers on the theme of 'Changing Minds: The Art of the Possible' will be addressing this question, & asking you to engage with other delegates to reflect & discuss.

@CatherineDakin @ZahilahZulkifli Dr Catherine Dakin is an Autistic +ADHD psychiatrist in the East of England, working in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry & as her Trust’s all ages Autism Specialist Consultant.  She is a Psychiatry Lead within Autistic Doctors International; Associate with AT-Autism, & NATP trainer.

Decreasing support for hundreds of thousands of children with special needs feels like a deeply terrible idea. theguardian.com/education/2025…

The crisis house has anti ligature door handles but they are so hard to turn it's really difficult to open the door (even as someone with no grip/strength issues and two hands) I raised the issue that if someone is disabled and can't open the door, it's restraint/seclusion

2.

1/3 After so much relational trauma it can be difficult to trust. Some ideas for how it might be nurtured 👇

AT-Autism conference, 8th Oct 2025 📢Announcing the next 3 speakers for this event, presenting on: 'Changing Minds: The Art of the Possible' *⃣ @CatherineDakin *⃣ Heba Al-Jayoosi *⃣ @ZahilahZulkifli Early bird tickets from atautism dot org until 30/06

@CatherineDakin @ZahilahZulkifli For further information on the conference, and on the work of AT-Autism, please visit our website atautism dot org or get in touch by emailing info@atautism dot org #AutismArtOfThePossible

@CatherineDakin @ZahilahZulkifli @CatherineDakin is an Autism Specialist Consultant Psychiatrist at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, a National Autism Trainer Programme trainer (#NATPMentalHealth), a member of Autistic Doctors International, and AT-Autism Associate. #AutismArtOfThePossible

@nickrosenthal How brilliant was that day?! A valuable use of time

I'm spending much of today in an #NATP webinar on "low-arousal approaches". Very interesting topic, and great to see so many professionals reflecting constructively around their own approaches, use of language, the power dynamics in clinical settings.

@BendyBrain @rcpsych @rcpsychNDPSIG @BSMSMedSchool @SPFT_NHS At long last!

Glad the @rcpsych @rcpsychNDPSIG are involved with promoting the notion that #ADHD and #neurodivergence is every psychiatrist’s business. Look out for upcoming research from @BSMSMedSchool @SPFT_NHS in this space!