Viv Dawes is an autistic (PDA) and ADHD lived experience advocate, trainer, consultant and author. She has over 25 year’s experience of working with vulnerable people, who were mostly neurodivergent, including as a Snr Practitioner in the NHS, managing teams of forensic drug workers. She also started and ran a community based addiction recovery programme.

Viv trained in CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focussed Therapy and Relapse Prevention Therapy. She has many years’ experience of running training courses, workshops and webinars.

Viv has provided training for numerous organisations including within the NHS, has been a keynote speaker and will be speaking at the Autism Show in London this June 2024. Viv has also been nominated for the National Diversity Awards for her work around helping people understand autistic burnout.

Helen is a late identified autistic person, parent to two neurodivergent children, former teacher (SEND Early Years / Primary settings), currently working with Thriving Autistic and Beacon NeuroConnect. Helen loves reading and writing about all things related to autism/ /mental health and education. Helen is a guest blog writer for The PDA Space, Neurodiverse Connections, Thinking Person's Guide to Autism and her resources have been shared widely across many charities, organisations, NHS and local authorities.

Tori Rist, founder and CEO of Koala, supports adults and young people who have suffered Autistic Burnout through offering a safe and nurturing community hub, and education opportunities. Peer support groups (in person and online), training, distance learning and tutoring are just some of the services that Koala offer. Tori is also blogs on the facebook page An Unexpected Journey, about being a CEO, autistic parent and advocate.

Hi I’m Carrie,

I am a level 6 qualified psychotherapist and I also proudly identify as a neurodivergent individual, with personal experience navigating life with ADHD, I am also beginning to question whether I may also be Autistic.

Embracing my neurodivergent identity has been a journey filled with highs and lows. As such, I have lived experience and a unique understanding of the nuances of neurodivergence and hope to support others on their own unique journeys.

In my practice, I strive to create a welcoming and affirming space where neurodivergent individuals can explore their identities, strengths, and challenges with dignity and respect. My approach centres around promoting self-acceptance, resilience, and empowerment, so my clients can embrace who they are and thrive in a world that often fails to understand them.

One area close to my heart is  Autistic burnout. It is my aim to help people to understand what Autistic burnout is, how it presents for themselves and those that they support and to raise awareness of this within the field of psychotherapy and broader society.

Laura is an AuDHD (Autistic, ADHD) Nurse, Public Health Nurse & Sleep Consultant who has been rambling about Yorkshire for about 10 years. Laura loves learning and educating on topics that look at where neurotypes and health intersect. In particular, Laura enjoys exploring the areas of self-care such as sleep, hygiene, and food and eating. They also work in the areas of burnout, puberty and understanding distress behaviours. Laura is one of the Co-Founders and Associate Editors of the online magazine Autistic Revolution. They also co-published the booklet ‘Creating Safe Spaces for Autistic People’ with Scott Neilson.

Laura is dedicated to creating opportunities for community members to come together in friendship, leisure and learning and does this through creating and supporting inclusive activities both online and in person.

To connect with Laura, they can be found at Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting or on social media at their Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram.

Linda Tuxford-Adams is an AuDHD integrative counsellor and educator. Her Australian-based practice, Neurokindred, provides online counselling and peer support for late-identified Autistic adults. She specialises in self-discovery post-identification, trauma and supporting clients in Autistic burnout. Her work is deeply personal; as an Autistic individual and parent to Autistic children, she embodies the lived experience and challenges of the Autistic community she serves.

Linda holds Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Education and is currently advancing her knowledge through Masters studies in Counselling & Psychotherapy and Autism. She is a Certified Practicing Counsellor with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). Her academic contributions include research on emotional exhaustion in teachers and publications on Autistic experiences with Reframing Autism, as well as insightful pieces on Neurokindred.

I am Sarah I have worked with neurodivergent individuals for over 20 years. Mostly children and adolescents but also supporting adults through burnout in a mental health setting.

I am currently working in private practice on our neurodivergent pathway and also  support parents and carers with their neurodivergent loved ones.

I’m a trauma-informed neurodivergent somatic (body-centred) coach and I help people feel more connected to themselves to understand who they really are, explore their neurodivergence, recover from burnout, and feel less stressed and overwhelmed. So that you can live more in alignment with that, boost your wellbeing and feel better, in small and realistic ways that really work for you as a unique individual. My approach is bottom-up, building mind-body connection through nervous system regulation and somatic practices. I offer 1:1 coaching (online and in-person in Basingstoke, Hampshire) and group coaching.

As a late diagnosed autistic ADHDer and parent to neurodivergent children (including a PDAer in total burnout), I am passionate about working with adults who are neurodivergent or exploring whether they could be, and parents looking to understand their neurodivergent child’s needs or how to support them whilst also taking care of themselves. I am dedicated to holding safe and inclusive space for those I work with.

Dr Joanne Riordan is a neurodivergent Educational and Child Psychologist, specialising in supporting families and schools to create neurodiversity-affirming environments. This is achieved through Educational Psychology assessments, contributing to Psychological Advice for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs - statutory support in the UK), and CPD and training events for schools, other professionals, and families. Joanne became interested in autistic burn out, when this was experienced by her own child when they were just 6 years old. She now offers advice to adults supporting young people that have experienced autistic and neurodivergent burn out, as well as raising awareness professionally about burn out. Joanne is also a guest lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London, mentor at The University of Cambridge, and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. She was nominated in the 2022 and 2023 National Diversity Awards.

Rowena is a late identified autistic psychotherapist and supervisor. 

She works with children, young people and their grown ups in both independent work at Fledge Psychotherapy, and as a senior therapist at The Bridge Foundation charity.

Rowena also works as the lead for the Autism assessment team at The Bridge and co-facilitates a parent group there. She has also worked as a peer supporter for Autistic Parents UK. 

She has written for various publications, the latest being an article for Stimpunks..but is not so good at writing bios

I'm Jill, a counsellor who has been working with clients since 2015. I also have 30 years of experience in the public sector, building supportive relationships.

I have a particular interest in NeuroDivergence. I am myself Autistic and have ADHD. This insight helps me understand the challenges faced when the NeuroTypical and NeuroDivergent worlds collide. I am NeuroDivergent Affirming, which means I see advantages and disadvantages for all brain types.

My strengths are my warmth, my ability to engage genuinely without a facade or pretence and my honesty in exploring delicate issues sympathetically. I am open-minded and work hard to help clients understand that they are important to me in this caring Therapeutic Relationship.

I studied Person-Centered Counselling and Psychotherapy at Warwick University and am committed to continuous Professional Development. Most recently, this has evolved into Creative and Expressive Therapies alongside previous training in Trauma work, Bereavement, and Family/Parenting work.

i work with age 18+ Adults, Parents and I also deliver Training on request.

I am quite 'out there' because authenticity is essential. I am sweary, but relaxed and as transparent as needed. I have boundaries and am professional but lighthearted and 'real,' which can surprise some clients who expect someone formal and closed.

As a member of the ND community herself, Ruth has undertaken ND specific training and works hard to keep up to date with current research, approaches and paradigms.

Her work is always ND affirmative. Whether you are seeking therapy to explore your ND profile or for an unrelated reason, I will hold a safe space for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, needs, behaviours and relationships in a supportive, non judgemental way.

She has many years of experience of working with neurodivergent children and young people and has undertaken specific training to ensure that my work is neurodiversity affirmative and child centred.

This means that she works with your child's unique strengths and interests. I will never seek to change their unique ND profile nor 'teach' them to emulate neurotypical behaviours.

She will celebrate them for who they are, give them the space and resources to unmask, to learn about themselves, to improve their self-esteem, to advocate for their own needs and to explore any feelings or issues which are coming up for them in a safe, engaging and playful way.

I am Mum to a 7 year old currently coming out of extreme autistic burnout. I was a teacher (secondary PE) and then a PE Consultant for a Local Authority which allowed me the flexibility to be there for my son, while he struggled to navigate school. I then set-up as a Children’s Yoga/Mindfulness teacher and was about to embark on a new venture in local schools, when sadly, my son crashed out of school and went into extreme autistic/ADHD/nervous system burnout. I am now caring for him full time, supporting his recovery, unschooling, deschooling…who knows what's next! I identify as Autistic/ADHD myself and I am awaiting diagnosis. PDA is also very much on our radar.

I'm a late-diagnosed AuDHD woman with lived experience of burnout recovery, as well as having 7 years of sobriety under my belt. I currently coach sober and sober-curious individuals through burnout and the ups and downs of late-diagnosis, as well as offering mental health support and sobriety support, and am not exclusively tied to working with those with addiction issues. I was an early years teacher for over 10 years and so also have lived experience of managing executive functioning issues and social challenges as well as career changes due to late-diagnosis and burnout. Over my 7 years of sobriety I have been a peer support mentor to countless neurodivergent individuals with addiction issues, as well as the every day struggles that arise from being a neurodivergent person in a world designed for neurotypicals. I have a gentle approach focusing mainly on  learning self-acceptance, self-compassion and combatting perfectionism.

I'm a neurodivergent ADHDer and my family is neurodiverse, biracial, and blended and born via adoption. I coach autistic adults via Zoom, working to create a safe space for navigating our NT world. Many times, folks come to me with a fresh diagnosis, trying to learn more about themselves and how to stay out of autistic burnout. I am a neurodivergent life coach with autistic, AuDHD, PDA, and ADHD adults age 21 and older. I also offer options for building your community with my Autism with PDA Support Group for Adults, Young Autistic Adults Support Group, and Sacred Space Coaching YouTube Channel, where I interview autistic adults who share their stories and tips. You'll also find help on my blog.  

Alice is Late diagnosed Autistic and ADHD & self-identifys as PDA. They are parent to neurodivergent children and have a professional background in working with Autistic people (of all ages) and their families.

Autistic burnout is an important topic that Alice is really passionate about and one in which they have had first hand experience. They have struggled with cycles of autistic burnout themselves throughout their life, as well as supporting one of their children through burnout recently. They know just how crucial identifying burnout and putting the right supports in place is.

Alice is a certified Life Coach and has a degree in Early Years & Childhood Studies. Since homeschooling full-time and advocating tirelessly for their family, they began independently running the social media platforms and business Neurodiverse Journeys, where they work as a Neurodivergent Advocate, Speaker, Coach and Consultant. They have recently joined the Autistic Revolution Magazine team as Co-Guide for the Reframing families section, alongside the wonderful Jenny Loughran.

One of the pieces of work they are most proud if is writing the autistic children's book “I am the rainbow and the rainbow is me”.

Hi, I’m Alex (Navigate Neurodiversity Occupational Therapy). I am multiply neurodivergent independent OT who supports my fellow neurodivergent adults using my lived-experience coupled with my qualifications. I often support with areas such as burnout and fatigue, sensory, workplace adjustments, emotions and equipment/adaptations to help make daily activities easier.

My approach is deeply rooted in my values of being neuroaffirming, collaborative, client-centred and holistic. I don't try to "fix" my clients, instead we focus on empowerment and collaboration to create strategies that feel authentic and sustainable. I provide 1:1 support, groups, workshops, access-to-work coaching, consulting and more.

I'm known for my warm personality, empathy, humour and love of dogs and teddies!

I'm a climate-aware counsellor and narrative therapist, currently living on the unceded lands of the Kaurna people. I offer therapeutic conversations either face-to-face (locally in Tarntanya / Adelaide) or via zoom (anywhere!) I'm also an ACA-registered supervisor, providing counselling supervision informed by narrative practice. As a neuroqueer, gendervague human, I welcome all colours of the rainbow. I have lived experience of Autistic burnout and chronic pain conditions, and I resonate deeply with experiences of being "othered", dealing with fluctuating capacity, and resisting normativity. I'm committed to co-creating neurocosmopolitan conversations and communities, where neurocognitive differences in experience, communication, and embodiment are not just accepted, but appreciated and affirmed. I'm also a collaborative storyteller, Therapeutic Game Master and game designer, who delights in exploring therapeutic applications of tabletop role-playing games.

Aoibheann is a social worker with 20+ year’s experience supporting families as part of her work in Adult Mental Health, Child Protection and Fostering with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Tusla (Child and Family Agency) and in the voluntary sector.  She is currently working in private practice supporting parents of Autistic children to nurture and meet their children’s needs creating a neuro affirming home environment for families to thrive. Aoibheann additionally works on a consultancy basis with BeeUtiful Minds a North Dublin hub providing neuro-affirming family support services.

Aoibheann has a Train the Trainers certification and has provided staff training for staff in HSE, Office of the Refugee Applications Commission as well as in the voluntary sector. Aoibheann completed the DAWN practitioner’s certificate in neuro affirming practice. She has a Master of Social Work (Trinity College Dublin), a Master of Social Administration and Policy (University of Ulster). Aoibheann is CORU registered and a professional member of Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW), Ausome Training and Thriving Autistic. Aoibheann is Autistic and parenting Autistic children.

Aoibheann is committed to the destigmatisation of Autism and the promotion of human rights and equality for Autistic people.

I am proudly neurodivergent and the mum of the most amazing young man, who is autistic and PDA, which means I have lived experience of parenting a teen who is fabulous in a world that doesn't always accommodate his identity. As a result of our lived experience, I retrained and now offer bespoke mental health support to neurodivergent young people and their families. As a neurodivergent practitioner, I am passionate about helping young people with their mental health, self-esteem, identity, and advocacy. I believe that our young people are not broken and do not need to be fixed. I am here to support and empower young people to thrive. 

I worked in education for 20 years (winning the BAPS Award for Educator of the year in 2022), and am aware of the impact of the school environment on many neurodivergent young people, including my son - meaning I can validate their experiences.

I am an Occupational Therapist living in Cape Town, South Africa. Mom to two neurodivergent children and through my parenting journey have gratefully recognised my own neurodivergence and my hubby his own. Our children have a mix of diagnoses including Autism, ADHD, Dyspraxia, PDA and ARFID. I strongly believe that these are not disorders but natural differences. My parenting journey started in the UK and included navigating EBSA, moving to home educating and managing autistic burnout in my oldest child whilst our youngest started following the same path. A move back to South Africa sees one child in school again, but not a typical mainstream environment and our oldest still battles the fallout of school based trauma and burnout. I am passionate about supporting parents who find themselves on a path that is often overwhelming, lonely and isolating in its nature, and from this  Tribe around the table was established. I am to connect, equip and empower parents in order to thrive.

Sarah Jane Nuttall is an autistic and ADHD lived experience advocate, researcher, consultant and academic and creative writing author. She is currently completing a PhD looking at the experiences of autistic women, particularly those receiving a late diagnosis, following her own late diagnosis at the age of 54. She is a published poet and is writing a novel with an autistic protagonist.

She has been a teacher, and art gallery owner. She experienced autistic burnout of epic proportions in 2012 which led to retirement. She also has Ehlers Danlos, POTS and fibromyalgia.