Nothing for me, without me. (Overused phrase Number 4.

Yes, I understand the importance of people being central to everything that affects them.

Yes, I recognise that this comes from a history in the care sector of people being denied a voice.

But...behind this, there feels like a suggestion that I shouldn’t do anything on my own as an independent professional (training, blogs, strategy work, advice, support…).

I know many professionals working in social care/health care who are not autistic (or neurodivergent) but have always been led by knowledge, understanding and the desire to make a difference.

And have been successful in this.

So shift the narrative to highlight expertise as a compliment and partner to ‘lived experience,’ not an opposition to it.

Maybe better to say ‘Do it with me not for me’.

What do you think? Let me know here.