Neurodiversity, Autism and the Arts - with BSL

Experience this digital event that featured in POW Festival 2023! In this digital event, sex educator Ruby Rare and guests talk about neurodiversity, chronic illness and the arts. Ruby talks to 3 artists who are using their practice to raise awareness of neurodiversity in women. Chatting about what the public can do to support people with invisible illnesses/neurodivergence and focusing on the theme of JOY, celebrating the joy and super power of being neurodivergent. About Ruby Rare, series host Ruby Rare (she/they) is a pink-haired sex educator on a mission to get people talking more confidently and inclusively about sex. Her work is influenced by her experiences as a queer, non-monogamous, dual-heritage person. Ruby is a proud ambassador for Brook, the UK’s leading sexual health charity for young people, co-founder of life drawing collective Body Love Sketch Club, and has spoken at TedXLondon, Women of the World Festival, and on BBC Woman’s Hour. They’ve built a 79k strong following on Instagram, has become a public figure in the sex positive community, and was listed as one of 24 figures making a positive change to social media in Cosmopolitan’s 2021 Positivity Index. Their podcast series, “In Touch,” will be released in January 2022, produced by Broccoli Productions. They are the co-host of a new Channel 4 sex-ed programme with Rylan airing in 2023. Find out more about Ruby Rare on Instagram at @rubyrare About Neurodivergent Friends in Thanet, guest Created in March 2022, Neurodivergent Friends in Thanet is a non-profit community group helping local Neurodivergent adults meet their peers in safe spaces, offering meet-ups, creative workshops and peer support for Neurodivergent Adults in Thanet. Our mission is to bridge the gap in local resources for Neurodivergent adults, working for positive change in mental health, well-being, community, belonging, self-acceptance, and self-advocacy. We are for ALL Neurodivergents (Diagnosed/Self-Diagnosed/Questioning), we are 100% Community and Neurodivergent-led, we are Anti-racist, and LGBTQIA+, Feminist, Fat, Trans & Disability positive. About Collective led by Mellissa Fisher Collective of artists exploring and visually representing what it’s like to experience chronic invisible illnesses, celebrating the joy of the human body and educating ways in which to describe the body, using the casts of the body to raise awareness of societal stigma and educating how to describe the body with words from affected communities. About Invisible Women Invisible Women are a group of female artists POW has featured in previous festivals, they are autistic artists, including Marion Armstrong, Tonii Astro, Debbie Freeman, Chloe Lewer and Lannah Marshall , all of whom are dealing with the ongoing issue of women not being recognised as autistic. The name 'Invisible Women' arose from the fact that women are often underdiagnosed in autism and have had to fight for diagnoses and support. The women will be making work around the joy they have experienced since their diagnosis, including Marion’s piece ”The indescribable joy of finally knowing who i am” which the collective exhibition has been named after. They will be present at the gallery all weekend, ready to chat about the work and autism. Discussion will lead from ancient folklore to present day empowerment. Any questions? If you have any questions about POW, please email info@powthanet.com and our friendly team will be able to help you.