Aurora Consulting

06/11/2026

So the new teaser trailer for the Stranger Things prequel - Other Worlds - has dropped and my family are LOVING the tagline:

“Before Hawkins, there was Marion”

I have never been so delighted to be called Marion in my life!

Don’t mind me, I am off to cackle about that on and off for the rest of the day! I love Autistic glee!

06/11/2026

As an older Autistic person I sometimes see younger Autistic folks talking about replaying conversations from a few years ago, five, ten years ago.

I have a lot of empathy - it’s really difficult. And I also have a moment where I then go “yeah, I also remember that time 32 years ago…”

But here’s the thing - the more I’ve learned about me, about what being Autistic means for me, and about how other people communicate, the more I give myself a break. Especially when it comes to socialising with trusted family and close family

I’ve asked a lot of my non Autistic family and friends if they replay conversations like I often do and the vast majority of them have said absolutely not, never. Most were really surprised it was something I did.

Sometimes I’ve opened up about something small I said that I’ve been worrying about for a decade, and most of the time they’ve never given it a second thought. Or they know me well enough to understand that I always mean kindness.

So that thing that you said and you worried you were maybe accidentally rude? That time you overshared a lot and then regretted it? It’s very possible that your friend or family doesn’t even think about it. Or even remember if it was a while ago.

I also have an agreement with some friends where we can check in after socialising to make sure we are all good. So I can be reassured my friend isn’t annoyed with me. So they can be assured I’m not annoyed with them. And we can both give our brains a break.

Please also be assured you’re not alone! We all say daft things, we all misunderstand things, we all wish we could take things back at times from time to time. And finding folks you can relax and be yourself around is invaluable.

05/11/2026

I cannot wait to join the lovely Teo from NDwise Hub Consulting for a chat about Morven’s First Autistic Pride!

I would like to invite you, to join me and my guests this December for a free event, run by and for the community.

Between 1st-16th of December I will be joined by 13 neurodivergent authors to talk about their books, creativity, lived experience and wherever the conversation takes us.

These will be relaxed, live conversations on Zoom. We’ll talk about the books the authors have written, the ideas that inspire them, the experiences that shape their work and, no doubt, take a few inevitable neurodivergent tangents along the way.

You don’t need to have read the books beforehand. You don’t need to prepare anything or even speak. You’re welcome to simply come along, listen, and spend an hour with us.

And if you can’t make every session live, don’t worry. Everyone who registers will receive access to the recordings once the series has ended, so you can catch up or revisit a conversation in your own time.

Why The Winter Nook?

I wanted to create a space where neurodivergent authors could share their work and their stories, and where the community could come together around creativity and connection.

I’m so grateful to everyone who has chosen to be part of this. It means a great deal to bring this series together, and I hope you’ll join us.

I would also like to give a special thanks to the event's sponsors GROVE - Online Community & Mentoring for Autistic Young People and Autism, ADHD and other Neurodiversity from Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Oh, one more thing! Once you register you will receive a little brochure I have put together with more information about each author and ways you can connect with them, a short FAQ section that will hopefully answer any questions you may have, and the Zoom link for the event (same link for all sessions).

Hope to see you there!

Laura Hellfeld Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting
Sassy Smith
Neurodivergent Neuropsychologist (Dr. Jennifer Huffman)
Joanna Grace
Jodie Clarke, Children's Well-being Practitioner & Autism Specialist
Nyck Walsh
Aurora Consulting
School Run Mum Autism (Lisa Galley)
PAST - Positive Assessments Support and Training (Laura Kerbey)
Elly Chapple
Alice Bramhill
Audhdistically Me (Jenny Lucas)
Viv Dawes Autistic Advocate
Pete Wharmby, Autistic Author

05/11/2026

I absolutely love working with my friends at The Autistic Collective CIC - East Renfrewshire! Can’t wait for this session next week!

⭐ NEXT WEEK! ⭐

Supporting Autistic mental health and wellbeing ⭐ Marion McLaughlin ⭐ Wednesday 11th November

OPEN TO PARENTS, FAMILY CARERS AND PROFESSIONALS IN EAST RENFREWSHIRE
Register here to book your fully-funded place: https://www.autistic-collective.org/
(Please Note: Registration closes at 5.00pm on Tuesday 10th November)

Can’t join us live on the day? Don’t worry, please register anyway.

All registrants will get access to the recording and extra resources afterwards.
Did you know that Autistic passionate interests play a pivotal role in Autistic well being?

Or that Autistic and ADHD students bear twice the emotional burden in educational settings than their neurotypical peers?

Our Autistic Collective team cannot wait for Marion McLaughlin at Aurora Consulting to join us NEXT WEEK to unpack both of those questions, and many more besides during ‘Supporting Autistic mental health and wellbeing’.

The session takes place on Zoom on WEDNESDAY 11th NOVEMBER at 10.00am - 12.00pm and is the second in The Aurora Trilogy series running across the Autumn.

On the day, Marion will explore what Autistic mental health and wellbeing looks like.

We will cover a range of topics including common mental health concerns, school trauma, RSD, sleep, eating…..and crucially how to support access to the things that bring us joy. This session will be followed by a short Q&A session and discussion, and includes:

✨What does a good quality of life look like?

✨Barriers to wellbeing

✨Supporting Autistic wellbeing

✨Managing meltdowns

✨Self care and boundaries

✨Supporting Autistic joy and passionate interests
This event is suitable for parents and carers, and professionals supporting folks of ALL AGES (including adults) and at ALL STAGES of their journeys and learning.

Our Autistic Collective sessions are made possible thanks to the wonderful support of the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, delivered locally by VAER The Community Hub East Ren and funded by The Scottish Government.
⭐ WHO IS THIS SESSION FOR?

Parents and family carers in East Renfrewshire. You do not need a formal diagnosis to take part. You may simply be exploring to see if any of this fits for your family. We recognise everyone is at a different place on their journey.

We also welcome with open arms professionals in East Renfrewshire who support Autistic people and their families. As we all learn together, side by side.
⭐ HOW DO I REGISTER TO BOOK MY PLACE FOR THE SESSION ON 11th NOVEMBER

Note: This event is open to parents, carers and professionals in East Renfrewshire only.

Please register to book your fully-funded place using the link below.

Register at www.autistic-collective.org

Can’t join us live on the day itself? Don’t worry, please register anyway. All registrants will get access to the recording and extra resources afterwards.

Any queries, or for further info please email [email protected]
⭐ WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE SPEAKER AND HOST?

MARION McLAUGHLIN

Marion is the Managing Director of Aurora Autistic Consulting, an initiative aiming to ensure that people, businesses, institutions and cultures understand the needs of the Autistic community.

In addition to being a late identified Autistic, Marion is a qualified Primary teacher and former charity CEO. Marion has significant experience of working with Autistic people of all ages and abilities on a wide range of issues ranging from supporting Autistic toddlers to preparing to move into a care home and a great many things in between.

An experienced trainer, Marion has experience working with senior leaders in a wide variety of settings to ensure the greatest possible inclusivity for Autistic people.

Marion founded and chairs Autistic Pride Aberdeen, hosting multiple events per year. Marion also released what they believe to be the first ever picture book on Autistic Pride earlier this year, Morven's First Autistic Pride.

Marion is also a member of the LGBT+ community and a passionate advocate for improved health care for Autistic people.

https://www.facebook.com/auroraautisticconsulting
THE AUTISTIC COLLECTIVE

The Autistic Collective is a Not-For-Profit Community Interest Company, made up of a small team of passionate parent/carer volunteers.

We support parents and family carers - and anyone who supports Autistic, ADHD and AuDHD people and their families in East Renfrewshire - through learning and empowerment.

We signpost to and collaborate with neuro-affirming Autistic/Neurodivergent-led organisations and speakers, authors and content creators to host learning events and activities to educate from the Autistic (and multiply Neurodivergent) lived-experience perspective.

Please check out and follow our page. Feel free to share with friends, family and professionals/colleagues. Your support means the world to us, as it allows us to reach more families in need.

https://www.facebook.com/AutisticCER
Poster design credit: Laura Gwafa The Marketing Department (TMD)

Big thanks, as always to Laura, James and Chris at TMD!

03/11/2026

Over the last few days I’ve had a few friends reach out because they are going through a really hard time asking how I got through similar.

Some of them are waiting for news, some are just struggling with life in general so here’s some of what I shared with them.

When we are waiting for something more often than not there is absolutely nothing we can do to change things. Whether it’s exam results or medical tests, our fretting, worrying, and perseverating, none of it makes a difference. And it can make us feel like we are in waiting mode not being able to make forward plans. It sucks.

I often try to deal with it by making small plans anyway. Not making them is a demand that I just don’t want to meet. I don’t plan things like holidays or anything, but small things to look forward to.

A walk in a favourite park on the next dry day (it is a Scottish autumn after all!)

Buying a ticket to see a movie.

A little train journey to go visit a friend who lives in another town.

Nothing that can’t be done another time, but still something I can enjoy. I buy the food I love, start watching a TV show I’ve always wanted to watch, small comforts, new distractions.

Sometimes I’ll go back to something familiar too. Watching a fave movie while drawing, replaying an old video game. Becoming absorbed in a book by my fave author.

These little things, small glimmers, matter. Intentionally surrounding myself with the things I love helps a lot.

I also surround myself with the people I love. In the past I have been known to bottle things up and not talk enough about them. I work hard not to do that anymore. Holding something in sometimes means it grows arms and legs and becomes bigger and bigger and bigger. Letting whatever you are going through out sometimes stops that from happening. It can give your friends and family the chance to support you the way you’d support them if they were going through something similar.

And that’s the thing we often forget - that if we want to be there for the people we care for, that they want to be there for us too.

I also take comfort in the fact that nothing lasts forever.

The sun always sets.
The moon always rises.
Storms blow themselves out.
Stars twinkle then fade, new stars are born.
Waves crash on to the shore then retreat back to the ocean.
The world keeps turning.

I’m not a big fan of always finding silver linings, I can’t stand platitudes. But I do believe that things are easier with community. With love. With compassion. With understanding.

That’s more or less what I shared with them, and I hope it’s what some of you needed to hear today too.

01/11/2026

This is fantastic news! What a great update!

ARGH Scotland is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), registered in Scotland. Scottish Charity Number SC054724

01/11/2026

Let’s bust 3 myths in friendships, relationships, and Autistic people!

1. Autistic people don’t want friends
2. Autistic people don’t want relationships
3. Autistic people aren’t interested in s3x

Says who?!

31/10/2026

I’ve been watching Arcane and Jinx is such an interesting character. Utterly terrifying and vulnerable at the same time! So she seemed like a great character to inspire my pumpkin this year!

I love the monotropic flow I fall into while carving pumpkins. I don’t do anything else like it throughout the year and it’s always such a joy! Really delighted how this one turned out.

And now I’m out the monotropic flow I’m gonna go run to get a cuppa!

31/10/2026

Happy Hallowe’en everyone!

I LOVE Hallowe’en, it’s always been one of my favourite holidays.

Dressing up as different characters is something I always enjoyed, taking on their persona for the night. Before becoming a parent I would sometimes spend weeks and months planning and making costumes. I still have a few kicking about - Aphrodite, a bumble bee, Arwen from Lord of the Rings, Leela from Futurama, and a few more traditionally gruesome ones! It’s the only time of year I ever wore make up too!

Carving neeps and pumpkins have always been something I love too, and in the past have tried a few different designs. I’ll be carving mine this afternoon once I decide on a design! In the past I’ve carved Stranger Things themed ones, Bluey, Predator. I have a few ideas for this year’s one! Will see where we land later on today.

Couple things I like to remind folks at Hallowe’en:

🎃 We don’t owe anyone info about our disability status in order to get sweets! It’s private medical grade info.

🎃 There are so many ways to communicate! If someone doesn’t use mouth speak they can have a friend or family member speak, use an AAC device, use a communication card, and a dozen other ways to tell jokes, say trick or treat etc.

🎃 Anyone of any gender can dress up as they please! Boys can dress up like princesses - princess dresses can be super fun to twirl in. Girls can be geeky characters, superheroes, pirates, something other than princesses. Non binary people can be anything they want too. As long as they are comfortable in their costume, that’s the main thing. Equally fine to not want to dress up! Some dress up costumes have scratchy material, may not fit as comfortably.

🎃 There’s no upper age limit on fun. If older children still want to go out guising and dressing up, fantastic! Why not?!

🎃 Jump scares can by difficult for many folks who are highly responsive to sensory input. It’s ok to enjoy spooky movies aimed at younger folks.

Happy Hallowe’en everyone!

ID pic of a 5 foot plastic skeleton relaxing on a gaming chair. This big lad came home with me a few years ago and left him in the living room for my family to find with this note attached:

Hello!
I have no body and don't have the stomach to look after myself so Marion brought me here.
Thank goodness, l'm bone weary! Hopefully I'll be humerous. After all, nothing gets under my skin.
Signed
Dr Bones McCoy

I love a good pun!

30/10/2026

The lovely Teo from NDwise Hub Consulting asked me for a head shot for a lil something something coming up. I was not long out the shower so I sent her the photo below for a bit of a laugh 😆

This will not be the head shot we use but I figured some of you may enjoy the giggle too.

Teo - thank you for encouraging me to share! A joke about on a Friday afternoon is exactly what I needed!