Ageing Outside the Model: The Erasure of Neurominorities in Later Life
by The Institute of Neurodiversity
As awareness of neurodiversity grows, one group remains largely unseen: older neurominority adults. In Ageing Outside the Model: The Erasure of Neurominorities in Later Life, ION highlights how autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, dyspraxic and other neurominority people are too often overlooked in ageing policy, research and services. Moving beyond a childhood-focused narrative, this article calls for a lifespan approach that recognises and values neurominority experiences in later life.
In her deeply personal and inspiring piece, The Snow That Stayed Too Long, Professor Charlotte invites us into a powerful metaphor for lived experience and resilience. Drawing on her own journey of understanding what it means to be different in a world built for sameness, Charlotte reflects on the moments that outstay their welcome and the inner winters that shape who we become. Through her voice, as a leader, advocate ,and someone who found clarity later in life, she challenges us to see beyond surface assumptions and to recognise the warmth, complexity and worth in every neurominority story.
World Autism Awareness Day Global Event 2026 in Collaboration with the United Nations
We are pleased to announce the Institute of Neurodiversity (ION) is working in collaboration with the United Nations on this year's World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) 2026 programme. Scheduled for Thursday 2 April 2026, this landmark gathering will bring together global leaders, lived-experience voices, innovators, artists, youth advocates, educators and policymakers to advance a vital shift in the global narrative. The event will be structured around five core thematic areas:
Reframing the Narrative: From Cure to Shared Future
Innovation & Enterprise
Arts & Culture
Education & Community
Global Youth Voices
Together, we hope to shape bold dialogue, practical solutions, and collective commitments toward a more inclusive global future.
Register now to secure your place for this landmark global online event.
ION Two Day Conference: Neurodiversity in Later Life: 21–22 May 2026
This international conference will bring together lived-experience voices, researchers, practitioners, policymakers and advocates to address one of the most overlooked areas of neurodiversity: ageing, invisibility, access to care, systemic exclusion, and how societies can better support neurominorities across the full lifespan.
The two day conference will explore the following topics:
● Ageism and the erasure of older neurominorities
● Mental health, institutionalisation, and systemic barriers
● Healthcare, social care, and community inclusion
● Lived experience and reality across later life
● Building inclusive systems for ageing populations
The conference will be delivered in a hybrid format (in-person and online) to ensure global accessibility. We are seeking over-60, neurominority individuals, who would like to be a part of this conference. To register your interest in taking part please email us via the button below:
Too often, inclusion asks how we can “support” neurominority colleagues, framing difference as something to manage or fix. in this article, Susan Mackay flips that perspective suggesting neurominority minds are not a disruption but a source of insight, revealing where systems, cultures, and leadership practices fall short. From rethinking the ‘disorder’ lens to designing workplaces that embrace spiky profiles, it explores how true inclusion isn’t about accommodations, it’s about redesigning the core to make space for all ways of thinking, creating environments where everyone can thrive, whether or not they disclose.
We’re proud to spotlight a significant step forward for ION Singapore as it strengthens its leadership and long-term sustainability. In welcoming Ong Chee Keong as Advisor focused on strategic resource development and governance, ION Singapore is reinforcing the foundations needed to support systemic change for neurominority communities. Strong governance, stewardship and values-aligned partnerships matter as much as advocacy—they are critical to ensuring that inclusion, credibility and impact endure. This appointment not only enhances institutional rigour but also affirms ION Singapore's commitment to building lasting, responsible change across society.
There will be no ION Chat on the first Friday in January. We look forward to seeing you at the next ION Chat on
Friday, 6 March 2026, 10:30am - 11:30am UK London Time
Discover a virtual space where you can talk about what matters to you, hear from others, share your experiences, and connect on a deeper level. Register now to join us and become an ION individual member.
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