S4 Episode 5 - A Lifetime of Learning

Joining us in S4 Episode 5 is Dr Catriona Stewart OBE MCPP where we explore Catriona’s own late autism discovery, her lifetime of learning, and her lifetime of work - it’s a deeply emotional episode.

Catriona founded autistic-led charity SWAN: Scottish Women’s Autism Network in 2012, on completion of her PhD research into the experiences of autistic girls, to provide peer support, build on the knowledge-base, and raise levels of understanding. 

Advisor to a number of high level national enquiries and campaigns, including the 3 year National Autism Project, and the 2 year Independent Review of the Mental Health Act (Scotland) in relation to Autism and Learning Disability, she ran an 18 month Employment Project for Scottish Government, and was an Ambassador to their Improving Understanding of Autism #DifferentMinds campaign, 2019-2023. 

She was a member of John (Lord) Scott KC’s human-rights focused COVID-response Independent Advisory Group to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) in 2020-21 and has since been a member of the SPA Board, where she is regarded as a Champion for Disability and the Neurominorities. 

She has delivered numerous papers and plenary presentations, training and workshops, in the UK and abroad. Most recent was the AETAPE bi-annual congress in Cadiz to which she presented on Independent Living for Autistic Adults, the barriers and enablers, from a Human Rights perspective. 

Her work is focused on community engagement, participatory action research, equality, diversity and inclusion, and Human Rights. It is informed by her research, her years of professional experience and her lived experience as a late-diagnosed autistic woman and mother.

To Catriona and all the autistic women who have paved the way before us, the trailblazers who have prepared the ground in this new world for others to follow. We see you and we give you our gratitude for opening the door to this brave new rediscovered world.

Explore SWAN 

Connect with Catherine & Pete

⁠⁠⁠Visit Catherine's website ⁠⁠⁠

⁠Order Catherine's NEW Book⁠ 'Rediscovered: A Compassionate and Courageous Guide for Late Discovered Autistic Women (and their allies) which was published 21st February 2025 by JKP ⁠⁠⁠⁠

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