semascot.bsky.social
We strive to improve understanding of being autistic from the various communities of the Global Majority.
www.sema.scot
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Getting Started
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š¬ Does this resonate with you? Share your story with us! DM or email [email protected] to be part of the conversation.
#AutisticRamadan #Ramadan #AutismAcceptance #NeurodivergentFasting #UnderstandingNotJudging
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This is why having caring, non-judgmental people around can make a differenceāpeople who support without shaming, understand the struggle, and help reinforce boundaries with kindness rather than criticism.
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Forgetting to eat is common, but so is forgetting to fast, especially when food is tied to stimming, emotional regulation, or strict routines.
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Did you know that Autistic people are more likely to have addictive behaviours? This means stopping food intake cold turkey (pun intended!) isnāt just about disciplineāitās a huge sensory and habitual shift.
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Very interesting! I have wondered this myself. It is a compelling argument. I wonder why we arenāt taught this in mainstream Islamic studies course and tafsir classes.
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I think a lot of what we post around Ramadan is relatable to other faiths. Thatās what we have heard back from others.
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ā¢ Consider Nutritional Support: If fasting is causing health issues, consulting a dietitian or healthcare provider might be necessary.
www.arfidawarenessuk.org has resources and advice that can help.
š¬ Does this resonate with you? Share your story with us! DM or email [email protected]
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ā¢Ease into Eating: Start with small, familiar foods when breaking the fast to avoid overwhelming the body.
ā¢Avoid social eating: If this increases anxiety around eating then consider missing iftars with wider family or at the musjid. š§µš
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Strategies for Managing Fasting with ARFID
ā¢Plan Safe Foods: Ensure that meals before and after fasting include foods that are both tolerable and nutritionally balanced.
ā¢Stay Hydrated: If sensory issues make drinking water difficult, try different temperatures or flavoured water to stay hydrated š§µš
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4. Increased Risk of Food Avoidance
ā¢If fasting leads to negative physical sensations (like nausea, lightheadedness, or discomfort after eating), it could reinforce food avoidance behaviors.
ā¢Some individuals may struggle to reintroduce food after fasting, leading to further restriction. š§µš
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3. Sensory Challenges When Breaking a Fast
ā¢After fasting, the body may react more strongly to certain foods, especially if someone already has sensitivities.
ā¢Some āsafe foodsā may not provide enough energy or hydration after a long fasting period. š§µš
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2. Anxiety and Stress Around Food Timing
ā¢Autistic individuals often rely on routine, and ARFID can make meal planning even more rigid.
ā¢Fasting disrupts usual eating patterns, which could cause stress, anxiety, or even meltdowns. š§µš
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1. Difficulty Meeting Nutritional Needs
ā¢If someone with ARFID already struggles to get enough nutrients from a limited diet, fasting could worsen deficiencies, leading health issues.
ā¢Breaking the fast with limited āsafe foodsā might make it harder to replenish essential nutrients. š§µš
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š¬ How does fasting affect your sleep? Share your experience with usāDM or email [email protected] to be part of the conversation.
#AutisticRamadan #Ramadan #AutismAcceptance #NeurodivergentFasting #UnderstandingNotJudging
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š The pressure to fast shouldnāt come at the cost of health. The Muslim community needs to shift away from judgement and expectation, especially for young Autistic people who are just entering this phase of their faith. Ramadan is meant to bring ease, not harm.
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These are just some examples and everyone will be affected differently.
Itās a time when we should look to amend the demands placed on us at home, at work, at school/ further education.
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Additionally, broken sleep will
- make us more sensitive to our sensory environments
- reduce our ability to mask (and so appear āmore autisticā)
- hard to keep our balance,
- difficulty with our dexterity
- increase our executive dysfunction.
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During the Autistic Ramadan webinar with Dr Sofia, Sofia from SEMA said āI can go without food no problem; itās the sleep disruption that KILLS me!!!ā. Having discussions with other Autistic Muslims, she found that she isnāt alone.
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For Autistic people with ADHD, itās even trickier. Fixations, time blindness, and lack of control over energy levels mean that naps can be missed entirely, leading to burnout, insomnia, and an endless cycle of exhaustion.
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š Some Muslims take annual leave or adjust their schedules to rest during the day. But for those who have to keep workingāespecially in caring rolesāthereās little chance to recover.
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š¤ Extreme fatigue can make fasting more difficult. Many Autistic people already struggle with sleep, and this added disruption can be overwhelming.
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š Whatās your favourite animal? Share in the comments! Letās highlight the incredible beauty of our planet together.
#WorldWildlifeDay #AutisticVoices #ConservationForAll #InvestInNature #PeopleAndPlanet š¦šæš
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š” This World Wildlife Day, letās celebrate the diverse voices contributing to conservation and recognise that when we invest in nature, we invest in people, too.
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š± Investing in wildlife conservation is also about inclusion. Supporting Autistic peopleās engagement in conservation can lead to innovative solutions, dedication, and new ways of understanding and protecting wildlife.
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š¾ Studies show that many Autistic individuals prefer interactions with animals, finding comfort and joy in nature. Their passion, focus, and unique perspectives make them natural allies in conservation efforts.
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š Autistic people often have a deep connection with nature and wildlife. Many have particular interests in animals, ecosystems, and conservation, forming a bond that fosters empathy, understanding, and a strong desire to protect the natural world.
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One of our members has a blog what about their reflections during Ramadan, linked here: alishidrati.wordpress.com/2025/03/02/r...
Please do read, subscribe and share!
If you are a Muslim Autistic adult, we invite you to join our peer support group. Just drop us a DM.
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During Ramadan, Autistic Muslims who experience hyper-empathy can feel this isolation from this world heightened. We typically feel very deeply in every emotion and experience. This includes our love for our Lord, our faith, and our Prophet ļ·ŗ. š§µš
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During prayer, remembrance, or recitation, when we zone into our spiritual selves, it is very easy to feel isolated from this world. Itās like we donāt belong to this Realm- Autistics from all faiths and none will resonate with this! š§µš
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Both people agreed that our hyper-empathy characteristic is an explanation to this enhanced relevance of spirituality to our lives.
Once I understood the tafsir, explanations, of the chapters of the Quran, the words came alive in my mind & provoked very strong emotions to the point of overwhelm. š§µš
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It is a myth that Autistic people have a deficiency in conceptualisation beyond concrete reality and their own selves. For many of us, we go beyond the typical conceptualisation of this world and feel a deeper connection with the Unseen, the Ghaib. š§µš
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There is actually so much that needs done to make our community and places more accessible for those new to the faith. Their mental health and isolation should be addressed primarily. Many new Muslims feel very alone, and some even experience abandonment from their own family.
#Ramadan2025
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-Hold special, smaller iftars for new Muslims.
-Make sure they know who to ask/ where to get information from about Ramadan & Eid in your area. š§µš
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- have an easy to understand guide of basics of ibadah, with a glossary of terms. Like an introduction pack with verified apps and speakers to listen to.
- Hold regular support groups where New Muslims can connect with others like them
- Clear communication! Welcome questions. š§µš
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-Listen to Islamic discussions and reflections.
- Be kind on yourself! Small consistence steps are key.
For mosques:
- Make sure the volunteers /staff are trained in supporting newcomers, including their mental health. š§µš
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Donāt be hard on yourself (we are very good at that). Allow yourself to connect to Allah in a way that is familiar to you, e.g.
-Reading Quran & Salah in your language if you havenāt learned the Arabic.
-Listen to Quran recitations with meanings,
-Use an electronic prayer mat that recites for you š§µš
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It can be quite isolating. Take smalls steps to get to know people at the mosque, or the local Muslim community. Generally Scotlandās Muslim community, which expands throughout many different ethnic cultures, are well connected. There are online groups you can join in to connect, and our WhatsApp š§µš
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This may be your first time fasting, first Ramadan, or maybe you have experienced a few before. Trying to fit into the existing #MuslimComunity can actually be very hard- language or culture barriers, meeting strangers, a new environment at the mosque, different way of doing things, & much more. š§µš
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If you live in East Ren, you can also request to listen back to our webinar on Sensory Needs Through Ramadan from The Autistic Collective.
#AutisticRamadan #Ramadan2025 #OurStories #Community #Islam
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Understanding yourself, your strengths & limitations is key here. And so is speaking to people who experience the world like you. We have a small WhatsApp group dedicated to peer support. #AutisticMuslims can join the #AutisticRamadan group chat to ask and give advice, share experiences.
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When people around us- work & study places, mosques, and home- understand that the 1st week is a real struggle, their words, reactions and expectations can be supportive and kinder.
You can hear more on this in our discussion over on our YouTube Channel.
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*Time off work/ school/uni (but catching up is an added stress & not everyone has the luxury)
*Schedule naps
*Plan ahead and teamwork with family.
*Schedule decompression time.