Neurodiversity Research Collective: Workshop

Using our range of expertise, there are four workshops you can choose from:

1. Neuroinclusive Practice (online or in-person at Sunderland campus or a nearby location)

This workshop introduces ideas like neurodiversity, neurodivergent, and neurotypical. You'll start to understand different ways of working and managing that support everyone.

You’ll learn through presentations, research, group tasks, real-life stories, and practical activities. We value and support difference, using universal design principles.

2. Introduction to Autistic People and Neurodiversity (online or in-person at London campus)

This workshop offers a basic understanding of autism and the wider idea of neurodiversity. It helps you challenge common myths and misinformation.

You’ll learn through presentations, videos, games, exercises, and group or independent activities. You'll also reflect on what you’ve learned.

The workshop takes a neurodivergent-affirming approach. It values the experiences and voices of autistic and neurodivergent people. It’s designed to be inclusive, so everyone can learn and develop.

3. Neurodivergent, Trauma-Informed Education (online or in-person at London campus)

This workshop helps educators build up-to-date knowledge about neurodivergent people. It supports inclusive teaching and moves beyond ideas of "additional needs".

You’ll reflect on your own practice and challenge how you work. This is a key part of the workshop. You’ll learn through presentations, videos, games, and group or independent activities.

The workshop takes a neurodivergent-affirming approach. It values the experiences and voices of neurodivergent people. It’s designed to be inclusive, so everyone can learn and grow.

4. Neurodiversity in the Criminal Justice System (in-person only at Sunderland campus or a nearby location)

The first part of the workshop looks at the experiences of neurodivergent victims in the criminal justice system. You’ll learn how neurodivergence can affect how someone engages with a system. These systems often expect a certain type of communication and behaviour. This can affect a person's credibility and their access to justice.

You’ll use creative methods to reflect on how you can make your practice more accessible and inclusive for all victims.

The second part focuses on neurodivergent people navigating the criminal justice system. There's a specific focus on police custody.

You’ll explore why we see more vulnerable adults in the system in England and Wales. You’ll also look at the challenges of police custody. Staff must balance their authority with keeping people safe and recognising vulnerability.

This session looks at how neurodivergence and vulnerability are often linked. It also explores how current systems and ways of working can affect people. You’ll discuss your current practice and find ways to improve the support of neurodivergent people in police custody.

We deliver a range of workshops online or in-person at various locations. You can find out more about this in the "what you'll study" section.

The workshop lasts three hours and you'll learn through a mix of:

• Presentations
• Research
• Group tasks
• Personal testimonies
• Application to practice.

Our workshops are interactive and explore neurodiversity in relation to each focus. These include practice, autistic people, education, and the criminal justice system.

We discuss examples from research and/or lived experience. This shows the application of neurodiversity in real-world scenarios. We also share useful resources and potential solutions to apply a positive lens to all working environments.