I've mentioned this before, but pretty please can we have this SN topic?

[ToadsJustFellFromTheSky]

I have mentioned this before elsewhere on MN and I have also recently discussed this with another poster who also thought it was a good idea so thought now would be a good time as any to ask.

I would like a topic for posters with SN. I know we've got the SN chat topic but sometimes I would like a topic where posters with SN can post.

I know the obvious place to post in would be SN chat but every time I venture over there I'm very conscious of the fact that 99% of the discussion taking place there is about people's children with SN and I think I would feel odd and out of place talking about myself. Speaking of which, if I did start a thread there about myself would I be made to feel out of place?

I know there's also the parents with disabilities topic but I'm not a parent and a lot of the discussion there is, as the name would suggest, about parenting.

I have been told that there is a support thread running for posters with ASD but I never actually found it. It's probably some place really obvious though and I've just missed it.

I'm going to bump this again...just because I want to.

And perhaps I feel like being slightly irritating

Hi Toads,

You're not irritating at all, and we're very sorry to have kept everyone hanging on like this.

It's September, and as promised, we're discussing this issue now. Can we have everyone's final thoughts on the exact name of the topic you'd like - the suggestions on this thread have included: Posters with SN; Adults with SN; SN/disability - ourselves; disabled and neurodiverse adults.

Many thanks

I like Posters with SN or SN/disability - ourselves. It's straight to the point and people will immediately know what it's about.

Thanks, Toads, duly noted.

If anyone else would like to chip in, now's the time.

That's why I like Posters with SN or SN/disability - ourselves (or similar) rather than SN Adults.

Posters with, or 'ourselves' - either is fine by me.

I think "Neurodiversity" should be a separate Topic, and "Neurodiversity in Relationships" another separate Topic. The latter to be opt-in and completely separate from the main board's Relationships topic.

Agree with the sentiments on this thread. The issue I always find with SN/NTs/Aspies etc is that it's really difficult to encompass all.

I don't really mind what it's called, just as long as it's there :)

I think if it was titled SN Adults it would end up being a place where people with adult DC would post or carer's, etc rather than posters themselves. Whilst there is nothing wrong with having an area for that (and there should be if there isn't already) I do think it would just end up being the same as SN chat with posters who want to talk about themselves being made to feel like outsiders again. I know that's how I feel.

Like Polter said, it can also be hard to read those things when you're the subject iyswim.

can I just say as the parent of an adult with sn, I wouldn't think this was a place I could post(I am homeless on mn as far as that goes) but....
I would Lurk and hopefully learn how an adult feels, I think mn should hurry up and give you this topic, never got why they can do a yoga topic so quick but mention sn/disability and it takes months.
good luck and I really hope you get the topic very soon

Samcro I think MN should have a topic for people in your position too .

I just feel a bit greedy and demanding asking for too much at once .

I wish they did too, but I really think you having a voice is more important

The sex section appears to be infiltrated by pervs already, too. I have noticed that I will post on a fairly normal seeming thread on there and then it randomly gets bumped several weeks later with some kind of fetishistic comment and then nothing. Slightly creepy. Anyway.

Love the idea of ATBNT

Well the sex topic has been there for about three months now and you have to be a member for three months to post there...so it makes sense that all the pervs would suddenly start appearing now.

if I was asking for this topic. I would as for one not linked to the sn topic at all. so it is for you, not me(not meant in a woe its me way) I have never got why mn does not have somewhere for adults with disabilities can post.
at the risk of outing my NC, I hounded mn hq to start a transition topic for 16 plus(sn aimed at parents carers) I hit a brick wall as even when it kind of happened it was linked with the sn children topic.
once your an adult .....thats it you are and adult with a disability, and you need your own space.

I would prefer a separate Neurodiversity topic, not part of SN, but similarly opt-in.

It feels politically incorrect to put Neurodiversity under Special Needs; although I know many disability campaigners would contest those words for anyone. No point alienating a whole potential user-group, surely.

Humm... I think there is a need of a topic to talk about neurodiversity, one where people with SN/disability can come and talk but also where NT can come and talk about their own struggle with a family member who has some SN/disability. Obvioulsy I'm not talking about children as this is already covered but about adults (ie adult children, partners, brother and sister or even parents)

I think both groups are in need of support.

It could be in Body and Soul rather than Health or SN? Thoughts?

Body and Soul could work. Would it be opt-in only?

The current issue with trying to discuss communication issues within a neurodiverse relationship is that we are attacked for not LTBing. Would the topic heading of Neurodiversity be enough to stop that? Opt-in only would be more protected (I hope).

Opt-in would be a catch-22, though - if it doesn't make active conversations, it'll be dead, like 95% of the topics on the site. There are already far too many really, most of them are poorly used. There will either end up being hundreds of threads without responses or a few regulars talking to each other.

If it does make active conversations, you'll get help and opinions but you can't guarantee what type of responses you'll get - some people may not notice the topic, others will feel that neurotypicalness isn't relevant to the topic at hand.