Cos Michael
Autistic autism & ageing consultant.
Contact me for training & conference speaking.
Poet
#AutisticElders #ActuallyAutistic #Poetry
- The #RoyalMail #ParcelForce website has recently made accessing it's 📦collection service preferences impossible for those of us who can't use Apps. It says it does, but the links lead back to 'Use the App'. Microsoft does not support Google Play, so Royal Mail has updated to inaccessibility for me.
- The first #AutisticElders online meetup is this morning. I'm looking forwards to a chat with my peers. If you're #autistic (incl self-diagnosed) over 50 yrs old & want to try something new this year, it isn't too late to register and join us.
- 2026 Over 50's #Autistic adults meet ups begin on Thursday's 8th Jan, 11am- 12. All autistic people aged 50 or over are welcome. It's an informal peer group chat. The theme will be Transitioning into retirement. It's free, but register at us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... #AutisticElders #Autism
- 2026 Over 50's #Autistic adults meet ups begin on Thursday's 8th Jan, 11am- 12. All autistic people aged 50 or over are welcome. It's an informal peer group chat. The theme will be Transitioning into retirement. It's free, but register at us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... #AutisticElders #Autism
- A while ago I decided it's time to move on, so I'll be upping sticks & heading north. The For Sale sign is up & I'm house hunting 250 miles away. I'm ignoring research about #autism & change. Yes, change is scary, but ossifying is scarier. Happy New Year everyone. 🎈 #AutisticElders #ADHD
- Reposted by Cos MichaelThis message hits hard.
- This is my week of quiet, Boxing Day - 2nd January, when offices & expectations pause. It's my favourite week of the year; some days to reflect, to look inward and imagine forward. To my online friends, I wish you Seasons Greeting, and a gentle beginning to 2026. ❤️ #AutisticElders #ADHD #Autism
- Despite all the publicity about parcel deliveries, yesterday am, #RoyalMail dumped a 'tracked' parcel behind my bins in the front garden - I was home - no knock & no note through door. Same again pm. #Amazon dumped a present there too. I saw the parcels from the street, as could anyone.
- Reposted by Cos MichaelRobin Ince reveals to last night’s audience at a recording of Infinite Monkey Cage that the BBC has forced him to resign over his support of trans people
- #Autistic adults meet up. Thursday's Coffee morning is 11th Dec, 11am- 12. All autistic (incl self diagnosed) people aged 50 or over are welcome. It's an informal peer group chat. The theme will be Home as a haven. It's free, but register at us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... #AutisticElders #Autism
- Just wow, Edwin. You made it. 👏https://www.instagram.com/p/DRAlwPaDaS9/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet#
- When ever I go to the dentist, I come out with an urgent craving for chocolate. I'm not normally a chocoholic, but I'm dental phobic. Is it for sensory comfort, or my body needing sugar for shock? Is this an #autistic response, or is this response usual in everyone? #AutisticElders #Autism
- #Autistic adults (aged 50+) meet up group. Our next online session is 11am-noon on Thursday 13th November. It's an informal peer group chat. All autistic (incl self diagnosed) people aged 50 or over are welcome. It's free, but register at us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... #AutisticElders #Autism
- I'm doing this talk on Friday 31st Oct. Preparing for it reminded me how much a period of burnout has set me back. That can happen to any of us. But now I should re-start taking my own advice. #AutisticElders #Autism #AutismAgeing #Autistic
- #Autistic adults (aged 50+) meet up group. Our next online session is 11am-noon on Thursday 16th October. It's an informal peer group chat. All autistic (incl self diagnosed) people aged 50 or over are welcome. It's free, but register at us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... #AutisticElders #Autism
- I had an operation last week & just had the stitches out today. I asked the surgeon when will it be OK to go back to the gym? and he said 'Give it at least a couple of weeks.' Me out loud: Oh dear, that long? My inner face: 😁 #Autistic #AutisticElders #Lazy
- #Autistic adults (aged 50+) meet up group. Here's the poster for our next 3 online sessions. Not a lecture, but an informal peer group chat. All autistic (incl self diagnosed) people aged 50 or over are welcome. It's free, but register at us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... #AutisticElders #Autism
- Google for Images for Promachoteuthis sulcus. Does it remind you of anyone? #Autistic
- The monthly peer chat group, exclusively for older #autistic people, is on this Thur Sept 4th, 11am-noon. It's an #AutisticElders peer group chat, not a lecture. This month's theme is Autistic elders in non-autistic groups. It's free, but register at us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
- Why is it impossible to contact a person at #TomTom UK? Their AI ChatBox is useless. My question doesn't fit their scripted responses. I'm not surprised, as it's about being overcharged.
- I emptied my study room, to redecorate. All my books & a chaos of 'stuff'. I'm going through every box, before re-shelving, getting rid of what I won't use again. I'm being ruthless. The process is cathartic. The room is peaceful now, & I can breathe better in there. #ADHD #AutisticElders #Autism
- There's a change of date for the monthly peer chat group, exclusively for older #autistic people. Instead of Thursday 14th Aug, it'll be on Thur Sept 4th. We'll chat about being autistic elders, in non-autistic groups. It's free, but register at us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... #AutisticElders
- I'm a Londoner & while visiting London yesterday, I had time to sit outside a cafe & watch the world go by. Norwich is a nice place to live, but I miss the vibrancy of London.
- Reposted by Cos Michael#trevorphillips: "The Israeli view is that there is no famine caused by Israel. Theres a man made shortage but its been engineered by Hamas..." Bob Geldof: "The Israeli authorities are lying" "They're lying, did you say?" "They're lying. Netanyahu is a liar. The IDF are lying"
- Reposted by Cos MichaelResearch opportunity: Understanding the Needs of Autistic Patients with Cancer This research is led by an Autistic or otherwise neurodivergent researcher/student. Neurodivergent people have been meaningfully involved. Ethics approved. Find out more: api.typeform.com/responses/fi...
- Planning a trip to Dublin. I don't do well on coaches and it's a helluva trek. by land, from Norwich. Over 12 hours, including trains, London underground, long walks, loads of stairs, buses, etc. This older person with a suitcase is going to have to fly. ☹️✈️£££ #AutisticElders
- This morning, Thursday 17th July, 11-noon. Monthly peer chat group, exclusively for older #autistic people. It's free, but register first, to get in.
- Correction to Link for registering. It ought to be us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
- The decision to suspend the whip from four MPs for opposing cuts to welfare payments for disabled people is wrong - and has to be reversed. Sign the petition to demand their reinstatement: actionnetwork.org/petitions/re...
- Correction to Link for registering. It ought to be us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
- This Thursday, 11am-12, our #AutisticElders online chat is about sexuality & relationships. It's a relaxed hour of peer group chat, exclusively for #autistic pple aged 50+ yrs. Hosted by #A2ndVoice. It's free, but you must register to join. us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
- This Thursday, 11am-12, our #AutisticElders online chat is about sexuality & relationships. It's a relaxed hour of peer group chat, exclusively for #autistic pple aged 50+ yrs. Hosted by #A2ndVoice. It's free, but you must register to join. us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
- Reposted by Cos MichaelHappy our paper on autistic adults’ experiences of nonverbal communication is out (free): journals.plos.org/plosone/arti... Led by my PhD student Holly Radford and @bronteweissman.bsky.social and senior authored by Ashley deMarchena. Read more: neurosciencenews.com/asd-nonverba...
- Excited to share our recent publication in @plosone.org exploring how autistic adults experience nonverbal communication. Co-authored with @drstevenkapp.bsky.social, Holly Radford, and Dr. Ashley de Marchena. So grateful for this amazing team! journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
- My Grosso Lavender front garden hedge is pumping out fragrance & humming with bees. #Sensory
- Reposted by Cos MichaelOlder autistic adults experience greater health disparities, chronic illness, social isolation & economic vulnerability. Sharing this research ensures that evidence is accessible and helps inform real-world support, services and policy for aging autistics: brighterworld.mcmaster.ca/articles/res...
- Will the Israeli spokesman stare fiercely to camera & tell us Hamas terrorists were suspected of hiding in a sandcastle? His cynicism is blatant, but #BBCNews airs him & demands no evidence. #UKGov will no doubt call it 'monstrous' whilst doing nothing. #WarCrimes www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
- Reposted by Cos Michael(also those other things)
- The weirdest thing about the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Bill debate is all the delicate language. The talk of disabled people 'losing their dignity' or 'being pushed into poverty'. Let's be clear: disabled people are afraid that this will kill them. #disability ♿
- Reposted by Cos Michael
- This could be adapted as a model for purpose designed residential living for older #autistic pple. It'd provide supported independence + an autistic peer group. #Autism & #Ageing training could be built into care staff training. What do other #AutisticElders think? www.edp24.co.uk/news/2526074...
- Reposted by Cos MichaelCare crisis www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
- You can sign up for #SWAN webinars here www.eventbrite.com/cc/swan-spac...
- Tonight I'll be talking to #SWAN on Living our best lives after a late #autism diagnosis. A lifetime as an undiagnosed #autistic person can be so hard. Then we're diagnosed as autistic or recognise it ourselves. Then there's reflection & life ahead. There's so little help or info #AutisticElders
- Tonight I'll be talking to #SWAN on Living our best lives after a late #autism diagnosis. A lifetime as an undiagnosed #autistic person can be so hard. Then we're diagnosed as autistic or recognise it ourselves. Then there's reflection & life ahead. There's so little help or info #AutisticElders
- Is anyone else finding it hard to work in this heat? I have a deadline for a presentation and my brain feels so sluggish, I'm struggling to concentrate. Old terraced houses weren't designed for hot weather. #Heatwave
- Reposted by Cos MichaelWaiting for a crucial doctor’s appointment can feel endless. But 21-year-old Chloe Pomfret was told she faced an 18-year wait for an autism assessment. 🗓️ Chloe’s case is extreme, but she’s not alone. In England, 212,964 people are waiting for an autism assessment. Read more. ⬇️ bit.ly/41zVRsP
- I wrote this for #Neurodiverse Connection. I fantasise about someone in a position of power responding, instead of continuing to pretend we don't exist @hlautismactcom.parliament.uk @journalautism.bsky.social #DWP #StephenTimms #NAS #AutisticElders #Discrimination ndconnection.co.uk/blog/older-a...
- Reposted by Cos MichaelThe post is here: www.linkedin.com/posts/dr-jay... I'm not a LinkedIn fan or regular user, but I went there to repost this.
- Put another post up on LinkedIn in an attempt to galvanise more health professionals to make noise agaisnt these deadly #DisabilityBenefits cuts. Professionals cannot, via silence, enable Labour to #TakethePIP.
- This Thursday, 11am-12, our #AutisticElders online chat is about Complex PTSD, which many older #autistic ppl suffer. It's a relaxed hour of peer group chat, exclusively for #autistic pple aged 50+ yrs. Hosted by #A2ndVoice. It's free, but you must register to join. us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
- This morning from 11-12, #AutisticElders aged 50+, welcome to join free chat. Just register to get in. We're talking about Complex PTSD in a safe space.
- This morning from 11-12, #AutisticElders aged 50+, welcome to join free chat. Just register to get in. We're talking about Complex PTSD in a safe space.
- Researchers at the Uni of Manchester are inviting #autistic people aged 55+ to participate in a research project. This will help them understand how life is like in a world not designed for #AutisticElders. To find out more please contact: Rebecca.stapleton-2@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk
- Reposted by Cos MichaelBoosting!
- I need to talk to a specialist in ADHD ADA workplace accommodations. Not a lawyer; someone like a psychiatrist. But not for therapy; someone I could call today to get some advice. Help please! @howtoadhd.bsky.social @danidonovan.com @whattheadhd.bsky.social @aut2ask.bsky.social
- Researchers at the Uni of Manchester are inviting #autistic people aged 55+ to participate in a research project. This will help them understand how life is like in a world not designed for #AutisticElders. To find out more please contact: Rebecca.stapleton-2@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk
- This looks fantastic.
- www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/... How lovely. The contributions of Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent people to the world of design. New exhibition from the V&A in London.
- Reposted by Cos MichaelOn autism and elder care: "We need a deeper appreciation of how autism affects the experience of older people in our care system. We must also recognise that older autistic people will not always have the words to express their needs." www.nursingtimes.net/older-people... #autism #neurodiversity
- Reposted by Cos Michaelgreat thread from @annmemmott.bsky.social who was mentioned in our staff meeting today for her amazing ability to cover #autism research.
- acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... Fabulous new research by this team, looking at what on earth is being measured when teams say they want to stop 'problem behaviour' in autistic young people using Early Interventions (ABA, NDBI, etc etc). I'll discuss very briefly here../
- Reposted by Cos MichaelA taster poem from my forthcoming collection and a blog post about the writing of it - hope you like it!
- Sharing a #blog post by @julwe1.bsky.social discussing a stunning poem from Grey Time, its origin and development. 'The Hare' explores grief, journeys, animals and flourishing nature in the visceral, immersive way that Julia writes so beautifully. ninearchespress.blogspot.com/2025/05/in-c...
- Looking forward to my short keynote on Thursday at the 'Inclusive Digital Mental Health Services for Older #Autistic People' workshop at Heriot-Watt Uni. I'll be presenting on 'Health & Quality of Life for Older Autistic People,' with a few notes on digital inclusion. #MentalHealth #AutisticElders
