Program Overview

Neurodiversity Research Collective: Workshops

Overview

This is an interactive workshop led by two of our neurodivergent academics Dr Lesley Deacon and Zeta Bikova. Lesley is a qualified social worker and Zeta is a qualified educator, focusing on special educational needs.

The workshop aims to share knowledge of concepts such as neurodiversity, neurodivergent, and neurotypical. We support practitioners to better understand differences in practice and management styles that can empower all people. This is achieved through a mix of presentations, research, group tasks, personal testimonies, and application to practice environments.

The workshop takes a positive approach in which difference is valued and normalised following universal design principles. We come from the perspective that if spaces are neuro-affirmative then everyone can flourish.

Why us?

Course structure

This 3-hour workshop can be delivered online or in person and will take place in the North-East or London.

The workshop will be capped at 20 people and consist of presentations, research, group tasks, personal testimonies, and application to practice environments.

Each workshop is interactive, exploring the concept of Neurodiversity concerning the particular workshop focus, e.g. practice, autistic people, education, and the criminal justice system.

Examples from research and/or lived experience are also shared to demonstrate the application of neurodiversity in real-world environments. We also share useful resources and potential solutions for applying a positive lens to all working environments.

Types of Workshops

We have created a series of individual Workshops that organisations can purchase.

• Neuroinclusive Practice (online or in-person at Sunderland City or St Peter’s Campus or a nearby location)
  • This is an interactive workshop led by two neurodivergent academics from the University of Sunderland, Dr Lesley Deacon and Ms Zeta Bikova. Lesley is also a qualified social worker and Zeta is a qualified educator, focusing on special educational needs.
  • The aim of the workshop is to share knowledge of concepts such as neurodiversity, neurodivergent and neurotypical. We support practitioners to better understand differences in practice and management styles that can empower all people. This is achieved through a mix of PowerPoints, research, group tasks, personal testimonies and application to practice environments.
  • The workshop takes a positive approach in which difference is valued and normalised following universal design principles. We come from the perspective that if spaces are neuroinclusive then everyone can flourish!
• Introduction to Autistic People and Neurodiversity (online or in-person at the London Campus)
  • This is an interactive workshop led by Dr Nathan Keates from the University of Sunderland in London. Nathan is qualified… in Autistic people! Through their masters degree and PhD. Nathan is also a qualified educator.
  • The workshop aims to introduce the foundational knowledge about autistic people and the wider concept of neurodiversity. This has an ever-growing importance for everybody to understand and expose the myths and misinformation that currently exist. The workshop will include a presentation, group and/or independent discussion and thinking, video, games and exercises, and reflection.
  • The workshop offers a neurodivergent-affirming point-of-view in which the experiences of neurodivergent/autistic people are valued and their voices heard. The workshop is designed to be inclusive, so everyone can learn and develop.
• Neurodivergent, Trauma-Informed Education (online or in-person at the London Campus)
  • This is an interactive workshop led by Dr Nathan Keates from the University of Sunderland in London. Nathan is a qualified educator.
  • The workshop aims to inform educators about up-to-date, relevant knowledge of neurodivergent people. With more discourse on accessible education, and understanding what has been termed additional needs to inclusive pedagogy, the workshop strengthens through challenging practices. Reflection is central to the workshop design. The workshop will include a self- and group reflection, presentation, group and/or independent discussion and thinking, video, and games.
  • The workshop provides a neurodivergent-affirming perspective that values the experiences of neurodivergent individuals, ensuring their voices are heard. It is designed to be inclusive, allowing everyone to learn and grow.
• Neurodiversity in the Criminal Justice System (in person only at Sunderland City or St Peter’s Campus or a nearby location)
  • This is an interactive, two-part workshop led by Dr Helen Williams and Sarah Connelly.
  • The first part of the workshop will explore the experiences of neurodivergent victims in the criminal justice system. It will support professionals who work with victims of crime to understand the impact neurodivergence can have on an individual’s ability to engage with a criminal justice system which demands neurotypical communication and behaviour. This can significantly affect perceptions of credibility and access to justice. The workshop will use creative methods to make space for reflection and promote accessible and inclusive practice for all victims of crime.
  • The second part of the workshop will explore the experiences of neurodivergent individuals as they navigate the criminal justice system, with a particular focus on police custody. Given the overrepresentation of vulnerable adults in the criminal justice system in England and Wales, there is a noticeable increase in the neurodivergence population within this group. Police custody suites are busy, complex environments where custody sergeants must balance the exercise of authority with their responsibility for safeguarding and identifying vulnerabilities. This session will address how neurodivergence and vulnerability are framed together, the impact of neurotypical structures and practices, and key considerations for practitioners. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss current practices and explore future considerations for improving the handling of neurodivergent individuals in police custody.

Entry requirements

We don’t currently display entry requirements for Ireland. Please contact the Student Admin team on or .

This workshop is aimed at Local Authorities, particularly for social work/education/community work/health but also open to any organisation that would find the workshop beneficial.

Fees and finance

The fee for this course is £750.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Related courses

• Advanced Safeguarding Adults
• Advanced Safeguarding Children