Neurodiversity in Therapeutic Spaces Conference

North East Workforce Skills

North East Workforce Skills and the University of Sunderland are hosting a conference on Neurodiversity in Therapeutic Spaces.

Hope Street Xchange

The North East Workforce Skills Programme and the University of Sunderland are hosting a conference on Neurodiversity in Therapeutic Spaces 2023 on 1st September 2023. Come along and hear from our keynote speakers: <ul><li>D﻿r Amy Pearson - Neurodiversity - Mapping the field</li><li>R﻿ebecca Champ - Understanding and working with ADHD</li><li>B﻿ecky Bow - Intersections of neurodiversity and GSRD identities</li><li>A﻿lison Walker - Lived experiences and journeys to diagnosis</li></ul>A﻿genda9:30am Arrival and coffee/tea10:00am Dr Amy Pearson – Neurodiversity, Mapping the field.10:15am Break10:45am Rebecca Champ – Understanding and working with ADHD12:00pm Lunch1:00pm Becky Bow – Intersections of neurodiversity and GSRD identities2:15pm Break2:45pm Alison Walker – Lived experiences and journeys to diagnosis3:30pm Panel discussion and closing comments4:00pm End of day

Dr Amy PearsonAmy is a Chartered Developmental Psychologist with expertise in the field of Autism/Neurodiversity. Amy’s current research focuses on understanding factors that impact on wellbeing among autistic people across the lifespan. Amy is particularly interested in interpersonal relationships and victimisation, social identity and stigma, and increasing accessibility for neurodivergent people in higher education. She uses innovative, mixed methods (quantitative, qualitative, and arts-based) approaches to address research questions, and has a passion for co-design and participatory working.
Amy is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a member of the Experimental Psychology Society, and International Society for Autism Research. Amy is also a member of British Psychological Society Developmental Section, and co-editor of the BPS Developmental Forum.

Alison WalkerShe studied at the University of Sunderland to achieve a Bachelor of Arts in Counselling; her modality is Humanistic. Alison is also a Creative Supervisor and is registered and accredited with the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy). Having counselled young people and adults for the past 11 years she has worked with a range of mental health concerns. Alison is now finding her work is moving towards supporting young people and adults who are either awaiting diagnosis or are already diagnosed as Neurodivergent. Before embarking upon her counselling career, Alison worked in various office environments, working her way up to middle management.Alison will share her lived experience of awaiting diagnosis later in life and reflect on her past and present experiences through the lens of Autism.

Rebecca ChampRebecca Champ is an Integrative Contemporary Clinical Psychotherapist and Coach, and the Executive Director of ADDapt Ability. Her passion is to help individuals with ADHD discover how to design lives they love to live. Combining her training as a coach, counsellor and psychotherapist with her personal experience and understanding of ADHD, Rebecca has developed a process and programmes to connect with your core self, discover your natural talents, and build tools specifically designed to create the life you imagine.As an adult with ADHD, Rebecca knows the power; amazing creativity and energy that comes with ADHD when you are interested and engaged in your work and your life.Rebecca works as a mentor for students with disabilities at the University of Cambridge, and has designed and presented training for mentors in Understanding and Working with ADHD for the University of Cambridge and the Disability Support Service at Kings College London. She has also facilitated the redesign of a group ADHD programme for the Sutton Adult ADHD/ASD Assessment Service at Southwest London and St. George's NHS Trust. Since 2014, Rebecca has been a member of the Advisory Board for the UK Adult ADHD Network (UKAAN). Rebecca also provides courses and workshops for professionals working with ADHD.

Becky BowBecky is a Student Wellbeing Adviser and Counsellor based in the Birmingham City University Mental Health, Wellbeing and Counselling team. She has co-led the University's award-winning pre-entry 'summer school' for Autistic students, aiming to ease the transition into university life. She has worked in FE and HE support for over 15 years. Becky has completed Advanced Trainer level study with Pink Therapy and has written their module on Autism, Gender and Sexuality.