Policy Advisor, Speaker & Integrated NLP Practitioner
“I’ve navigated systems, influenced policy internationally, and raised three children as an Autistic woman. I am here to work alongside you, so you do not have to do it alone”
Have You Noticed How Life Changes When You Can See New Possibilities, Hear Fresh Perspectives, Feel Supported and Know You’re Not Doing it all on Your Own?
In Everything I Do, My goal is Simple:
Empower Autistic People and their Families, and to Help Systems and Organisations Become Genuinely Inclusive
For Individuals & Families
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Coaching & Support: Helping Autistic people and parents (especially mums) manage stress, build resilience, and navigate life’s challenges with confidence.
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Practical Advocacy: Guiding families through education and disability systems using her deep knowledge of policy and services.
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Mentorship: Sharing my lived experience to provide understanding, strategies, and hope for everyday life.
For Organisations & Government
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Training & Workshops: Equipping teams with evidence-based knowledge to foster true inclusion and support Autistic people effectively.
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Policy & Strategy Advice: Partnering with governments, advisory groups, and organisations to create practical change that improves equity and outcomes.
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Research Translation: Bringing international research — including my co-authored work with Cambridge University — into real-world practice.
Are You an Autistic Person Who Wants Support Navigating Life’s Challenges With Confidence?
Monique offers personalised Integrated NLP coaching informed by nearly 20 years of advocacy and direct work with Autistic people. She helps you build strategies for everyday challenges, strengthen your self-advocacy, and create pathways to thrive while honouring your authentic self.
Through Integrated NLP Techniques and Guidance, I Help You Find Practical Strategies, Build Resilience, and Reframe Challenges Into Opportunities So You Can Thrive as Both an Advocate and a Mother.
Many Autistic women, whether you’re stepping into advocacy or navigating motherhood, face unique challenges. Here are some of the ways I support clients:
Communicate with Impact
Learn how to express yourself with clarity and confidence — so your message is heard and understood.
Manage Overwhelm with Practical Strategies
Discover NLP tools to reduce sensory stress and prevent burnout while balancing daily demands.
Build Self-Belief & Emotional Resilience
Strengthen your confidence, release unhelpful self-doubt, and find new ways to recharge emotionally.
Navigate Systems with Confidence
Develop strategies to handle schools, healthcare providers, or workplaces that may feel overwhelming or dismissive.
Find Connection & Support
Create a sense of community and validation, knowing you don’t have to walk this path alone.
Understanding Autistic Motherhood
Monique’s work with Cambridge University’s Autism Research Centre explores the unique experiences, strengths, and challenges of Autistic mothers. Drawing on research and her extensive advocacy, she helps translate these insights into practical strategies to support families, services, and organisations in creating inclusive, understanding, and empowering environments.
Research Into Global Advocacy For Mothers of Autistic Children
For more than 15 years I’ve stood beside Autistic women and their families listening to their stories, amplifying their voices, and fighting for their rights. What began at kitchen tables, in schools, and in front of tribunals grew into something much larger: a commitment to ensure Autistic mothers and their families are seen, heard, and valued on the world stage.
I did this work armed with research, co-authoring with the renowned team of Sir Professor Simon Baron-Cohen at Cambridge University’s Autism Research Centre. Our research highlights the urgent need for understanding, support, and respect for Autistic families.
Together, researchers and Autistic advocates took our findings and insights to the United Nations in New York and Geneva.
Partnering for Global Change at the United Nations
Monique partnered with Dr. Alistair de Gaetano to co-produce two landmark United Nations events in New York: Leave No Autistic Mother Behind and Numbers Don’t Lie. These high-level forums shed light on urgent issues and were sponsored by the Governments of Spain and Malta, alongside UN agencies, international universities, and leading advocacy organisations.
I was honoured to co-produce with Dr. Alistair De Gaetano, Chairperson of the Autism Advisory Council and Legal & Policy Advisor at the Directorate for Disability Issues for the Malta Government, two landmark side events at the United Nations Conference of States Parties (CoSP), New York:
● Leave No Autistic Mother Behind – shining a light on the challenges, strengths, and resilience of Autistic mothers, forced adoptions, allegations of Fabricated Illness and calling for global recognition, protection, and support.
● Numbers Don’t Lie – exposing the stark realities of Autistic people’s experiences of sexual victimisation, violations of bodily autonomy, and domestic violence, backed by research and lived experience.
A Global Voice for Autism Through an Autistic & Parent Perspective
Monique is an experienced international speaker who has delivered talks and advocacy across the world. From Marrakesh and Casablanca to London, Geneva, New York and Sydney. She has shared the stage with world leaders, academics, and human rights advocates.
Transforming Autism Policy Across Two Continents
Monique secured legal recognition of Autistic women in the UK’s Autism Act guidance and helped shape Australia’s first National Autism Health Roadmap. Her work continues to influence policy and create systemic change that improves services, diagnosis, and health outcomes for Autistic people worldwide.
I have driven systemic change in autism policy across two continents, embedding the voices and needs of Autistic people into national frameworks.
In Australia, I was part of a small team that played a pivotal role in shaping the National Autism Health Roadmap, a landmark initiative to tackle inequities in healthcare for Autistic people. Working alongside government, health leaders, and Autistic communities, I helped to ensure the roadmap reflected lived realities and I continue to advocate for its full implementation and funding.
I also contributed to, and authored, four submissions to the Australian Senate Inquiry into Autism. For the launch of the Report, I was invited to be the Master of Ceremonies alongside Senator Carol Brown and Senatior Hollie Hughes and with the Australian Autism Alliance.
In the United Kingdom, I led a focused campaign, including a survey of the needs of 100 British Autistic women, that secured formal recognition of Autistic women in the statutory guidance underpinning the Autism Act 2009. My work culminated in the March 2015 revision, which for the first time required local authorities and NHS bodies to consider how autism in women and girls is often misunderstood, missed, or misdiagnosed, creating a vital foundation for gender-sensitive support.
“Local Authority, NHS bodies and NHS bodies and NHS Foundation Trusts should: recognise that women with autism may be missed and misdiagnosed as they may be better able to mask their social difficulties. There can also be a perception that autism is something that men have and this can impact on women being referred for diagnosis. Improved awareness and training should help this”.
Featured in Media Around the World
Monique’s advocacy and research have attracted widespread media attention, highlighting her work with Autistic people and families globally. She has been featured on ABC, including award-winning stories that earned a National Yoralla Media Award, as well as in magazines and international news outlets covering her pioneering research, policy work, and advocacy.
Recommended Book For You
Monique contributed a chapter to the Brenda Tan book, My Way, where she discusses her school life as an undiagnosed Autistic girl, mental health challenges and her advocacy for her family the community.
My Way by Brenda Tan
As her Autistic son grew into a young adult, Brenda Tan began to wonder – where are the Autistic adults? Do we not see them because they are hidden at home? Or have they adapted so well that they are indistinguishable from neurotypicals? Those who managed to integrate into society – how did they achieve independence? The curiosity grew into an earnest desire to seek out these individuals – Autistic adults who enjoy a career or are married. The quest culminated in this treasured collection of real accounts from 15 countries, as 31 Autistic adults share candidly their life journey towards independence and beyond.
Contributors: Cassandra Heng, Stephen Mark Shore, Sia Sin Wei, Anita Lesko, Dena Gassner, Thinesh Jayakumar, Eric Chen, Lee Qiu Wei, Monique Blakemore, Chua Hian Koon, Alexey Voskov, Thomas Lee, Birsen Basar, Bill Wong, Jessica, Rhi Williams, Jeremy Samson, Sarah Hendrickx, Ewa-Lotta Mattiasson, John Greally, Khor Kuan Min, Bob Christian, Adrien Zurfluh, Charlotte Bailie, John Castro, Nox, Dave Duffy and anonymous others.
HAVE A QUESTION?
I would love to hear from you! Whether you have a question, need support, or just want to say hello, feel free to reach out. Fill out the form below or connect with me directly and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.