Specialist Advisory Teacher for Neurodivergence, Autism and Complex-Communication

I am a multiply-neurodivergent Specialist Advisory Teacher for Neurodivergence, Autism and Complex Communication currently providing consultancy and outreach services for children and young people. I am wholeheartedly committed to Neuro-affirming principles and practices and continual challenge of oppressive or ableist approaches to supporting the neurodivergent community.

I have twenty years of experience within the field of Education, SEND, Inclusion and Support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disability, including those who are neurodivergent and don’t identify as disabled, at all intellectual levels and support needs. I have amassed a wealth of experience across multiple roles including, but not limited to:

o Teaching, Senior Leadership, Training, Family and Pastoral Support roles within schools,

o Local Authority employed specialist consultancy, training and development services,

o Initiation and completion of diagnostic assessments as part of a multi-agency NHS pathway for Autism diagnosis,

o Providing graduated assessment in-line the the SEND code of practice and Local Authority Processes for Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments,

o Advocacy and co-ordinated multi-agency support for children, young people and families with at-risk educational placements, permanent exclusion, police involvement and other difficult circumstances,

o Delivering accredited training to school settings as an approved training provider of the Autism Education Trust,

o Creation and delivery of training aligned with research and lived-experience across education, local authority services and community partners,

o Specialist Advisory panel membership supporting multi-agency referral safeguarding panels involving health, social care and police