Bespoke Members
Introduction
In recent years there has been more recognition and understanding of the biological fact of neurodiversity, and a subsequent rise in diagnosis and self-diagnosis for many. We know that there is an urgent need for society to provide better support for neurodivergent people who are still more likely to experience trauma, poor mental health, to self-harm, to end their lives, and to spend much longer periods of time in inpatient care. It’s also clear that when neurodivergent people are reaching out for support, they are often being met with care that does not understand them or know how to adapt to their needs. Services and clinicians want to help, and there is more and more discussion about neurodiversity. But this is not always translating to an understanding of what to do to practically apply the neurodiversity model, and meet the needs of the patients you see every day.
So join us for a practical session, designed by a neurodivergent PWP, focused on understanding and applying the neurodiversity model to ensure a neuroaffirming approach to working with neurodivergent patients.
The event will be equivalent to 2.3/4hrs of CPD.
Content
This workshop will begin with a recap of the neurodiversity model, and the benefits of this over the medical model in building a holistic understanding of neurodivergent peoples mental health. We will then look at key concepts in understanding, valuing, and working with neurodivergent people; such as Monotropism, and the Double, and Triple, Empathy problem. And cover differences in processing, the sensory system, and communication. And throughout we will be thinking together about how to adapt practice to ensure these concepts are fully applied to our work with neurodivergent patients in Talking Therapies.
Learning Objectives
1. Define the neurodiversity model and explain its relevance within Talking Therapies
2. Understand and apply the theories of Double Empathy and Monotropism to understanding, valuing, and working with neurodivergent people
3. Reflect on ways of adapting practice to support the needs of neurodivergent people
Training Modalities
This training will include lecture content, learning from lived experience, reflective exercises, polls, and Q&A.
Key References
Milton, D. (2022). On the ontological status of autism: The ‘double empathy problem.’ Disability and Society, 27(6), 883–887.
Mold, J. W. (2022). Failure of the problem-oriented medical paradigm and a person-centered alternative. Annals of Family Medicine, 20(2), 145–148.
Murray, D., Lesser, M., & Lawson, W. (2005). Attention, monotropism, and the diagnostic criteria for autism. Autism, 9(2), 139–156.
Papadopoulos, C. (2025). Voices of neurodiversity: An inclusive encyclopaedia. Routledge.
Singer J. (1998) NeuroDiversity: The birth of an idea. The Atlantic.
Walker, N. (2013).Throw away the masters tools: Liberating ourselves from the pathology paradigm. Neuroqueer. Available at https://neuroqueer.com/throw-away-the-masters-tools/#:~:text=There%20is%20one%20%E2%80%9Cright%2C%E2%80%9D,operated%20within%20the%20geocentric%20paradigm
About the presenter
Jenny Cox (she/her) has been a Tutor on Oxford Health and Buckinghamshire New University’s PWP Apprenticeship since 2021, and also runs Oxford Health’s ‘Introduction to Inclusive Practice’ training. Prior to this she worked in different PWP roles in Oxfordshire Talking Therapies for 5 years. She is also a qualified trainer for the Anna Freud Institute’s National Autism Training Programme and built and chairs the Community of Practice for this course across the BOB ICB (Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and West Berkshire Integrated Care Board). And is a Lead Trainer for the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disabilities and Autism. And in what should have been a surprise to no one unfortunate enough to mention Taylor Swift around her, she was finally diagnosed autistic in 2023 at the age of 31. Outside of work she spends most of her time walking her Cockapoo, Merlin, while listening to Taylor Swift.
Who should attend
This training is suitable for PWPs and equivalent, and low intensity practitioners working in primary care services, such as Talking Therapies services.