Professional Social Work (PSW) magazine prints letter from Sarah Phillimore

[exwhyzed]

novembers issue.

There are couple of other letters too on the same subject.

I'm really surprised (and glad) they have printed this point of view. I nearly wrote in myself about the article in the October issue.

Certainly in my experience in an LD and Autism team as a social worker is that we are seeing more of it regarding young women with autism, and that generally the social workers (mainly women, some possibly mners) is to approach it with a watchful/waiting stance rather than fully affirming. No one is outwardly gender critical, because that would probably get you fired.

PSW printing this I think opens the door with managers who panic about the issue.

It's funny really, one of the reasons I started sticking around on MN more were threads where Spero was subject to various forms of attack.

It was when I realised that MN is much bigger than 'just' a parenting forum with the usual online arguments.

Anyway, it is illuminating to see not only who certain people are trying to silence, but the ways in which they do it.

I work in the field of adults with learning disabilities and other seriously disabling conditions.

Of course you do, dear.

I’m also doubtful Apple works with autistic people, as she would know that the idea of ‘identifying as autistic’ is offensive. My disability is not an identity.

'Identifying' as autistic?

Oops, your queer theory is showing.

I think it's role play month or something. all the method actors want to come here at the moment
it's getting a bit trying

Transgender Trend are doing fantastic work on this issue.

I work in the field of adults with learning disabilities and other seriously disabling conditions

As do I.

The thread you screenshot is a discussion between Sarah and someone called FrogAutistic referring to the Charlie Gard case and 'Charlie's Army' and wondering where all the armies of people are campaigning for the ongoing high levels of care and good quality of lives for the severely disabled adults that babies like Charlie Gard become if they survive.

As you will know working in the sector, severely disabled adults often don't get much quality of life. There's little money left for nice things after basic care has been paid for. What kind of life were people actually save for Charlie?

Both people in the conversation consider themselves to have a disability. They understand the crap deal many disabled people get from society. 'Welcome crippled friend' was a joke between two people on that understanding.

Apple, do Google the Streisand effect. Your habit of bumping threads about Spero because you appear to have a personal grudge against her really isn't achieving what you think it's achieving.

Why on earth would someone who isn't disabled or neurodiverse (because you'd have said so if you were) think anyone should listen to their opinion on the matter? I not only work with a lot of black people but have some amongst my family members and dearest friends: as a white person I'm still not, in any way shape or form, entitled to weigh in on a black person using the n word! Stay in your lane.

The conversation continues in PSW in February and March.

I'm very surprised about the amount of column inches they are giving it, they must be receiving a high volume of correspondence about it.

Fantastic!

Long overdue. And congratulations to Sarah & Maggie for pursuing this. Ever since the Child J case that Melroses references upthread, too many social workers (and countless other organisations) have abandoned safeguarding children in favour of supporting an adult male led ideology. Unforgivable.