
our latest campaign
We are against the use of Positive Behaviour Support and Applied Behaviour Analysis for Neurodivergent people and people with a learning disability. We believe better, more compassionate approaches exist.

OUR MISSION
We elevate the voices of neurodivergent people to help them flourish and thrive


-
Jill is one of those rare people who manages to combine wisdom, compassion and experience. She has a knack for speaking truth whilst sharing ideas and solutions at the same time. Put simply, Jill makes things better. If you ever get the chance to work with Jill, take it!
— Kate Mercer, Black Belt Advocacy
-
Working with this team has transformed how we think about sensory needs. Hearing about sensory and communication needs directly from people who experience and understand it has altered how we work with the young people in our service.
— CAMHS Inpatient Mental Health Team
-
One of the best training sessions I’ve attended. Thank you so much.
— Attendee of “Introduction to Autism” Online Training
-
The resources created by this team are brilliant. They’re really useful and should be applied in schools as well as hospitals.
— Children’s Occupational Therapist
-
Jill stands out for her methodical approach, as well as for her passion and depth of knowledge around things that impact the lives of neurodivergent people. She is dedicated to ensuring that those with lived experience are valued experts. This is at the centre of the work she undertakes.
— Nikki Henderson, Senior Adviser Building the Right Support, LGA
-
Jill ensures that true co-production is at the heart of all projects and brings a unique energy to everything she does. Jill is innovative and never dogmatic, turns ‘problems’ into opportunities, and you can trust that what is agreed will be delivered.
— Tom McGhie, Care and Treatment Review Programme Manager
NHS England -
I just wanted to let you know how impactful your report and your words in today’s meeting were. The work you are doing is giving a voice to autistic people who aren’t able to articulate their needs and it’s brilliant to see. I hope our paths cross again!
—Josie Saville, Co-CEO, Lets for Life
-
Individual support
-
Housing and Homes
-
Sensory environment
-
Public speaking
-
Bespoke consultation

OUR MISSION
We are here to support change that enables Autistic people to flourish.
We are here to elevate Autistic and other Neurodivergent voices. Our work is focused on sharing solutions, helping others understand, and promoting different ways of working.
-
Training Curriculum
-
Neurodivergent Wellbeing Approach
-
Development Support

OUR WORK
We believe that Autism is a difference, not a disorder.
There’s a lack of understanding about the challenges that Autistic people face, and what needs to be done differently to ensure they can thrive. Our work aims to change that.
NdC Journal
Today on the blog, Dr Catherine Crompton shares a unique insight into some of her team’s recent research on ‘information transfer within and between Autistic and non-Autistic people’. The results may surprise you!
In this blog, Emily Wooden, shares her experience of navigating the education system as an Autistic girl, and the subsequent impact of reaching Autistic burnout.
As part of the ‘AGAINST PBS & ABA’ campaign, Guest contributor, Brendan Maguire, shares his journey of discovering Gentle Teaching and advocates for a move away from behaviourist methods that are at odds with supporting people in an inclusive, person-centred way.
In this month’s research roundup, Ann Memmott explores a wider array of research, showcasing and reflecting upon some of the latest papers on Autism, ADHD, Dyspraxia and Learning Disability.
We’re joined by guest contributor, Helen Edgar for Part 2 of her ‘AGAINST PBS & ABA’ campaign blog. Helen continues to explore the harmful impact PBS can have on Neurodivergent young people and suggests alternatives that centre autonomy and consent.
Today we’re joined by guest contributor, Helen Edgar, Founder of Autistic Realms, a platform for neurodiversity-affirming education, training, and community resources. In Part 1 of this blog for our ‘AGAINST PBS & ABA’ campaign, Helen explores the harmful impact PBS can have on Neurodivergent young people.
As part of our series of ‘Against PBS & ABA’ campaign blogs, this reflection, from our Guest contributor, emphasises the need to centre the lived experiences of Neurodivergent people in the pursuit of support that is respectful, inclusive and trauma-informed.
Today we’re joined by guest contributor, Dr Beverley Samways, for the latest ‘AGAINST PBS & ABA’ campaign blog. Dr Samways explores her thoughts and feelings about Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and shares poignant examples of her experiences as a professional who seeks connection over compliance.

OUR VISION
We want to create positive change in society, not just in hospitals.
We recognise that opportunities for creation, connection, fulfilment and purpose help Neurodivergent people live happy, healthy and meaningful lives in the wider community.
Resource library
Wm-adass.org.uk, 2024
The Autism and Parental Blame research project investigates how parents of autistic children experience blame when seeking support from health, education, and care services. Led by West Midlands ADASS and the University of Birmingham, and commissioned by NHS England, the project collaborates with families to identify key concerns and develop recommendations to improve how services respond to and support these families.
van Grunsven and Roeser (2021)
This paper explores how Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) technology can help shift perceptions of non-speaking autistic people, recognising them as individuals with rich inner lives. While AAC Tech can support more empathetic understanding, it may also hinder authentic communication if not designed thoughtfully. The authors suggest incorporating ideas from emotional design and embodied cognition, using behaviours like stimming as meaningful forms of expression to enhance empathy and communication.
Delivered by El Dewar
Content Warning: Abuse, Child Abuse, Applied Behavioural Analysis, Electro-Shock Therapy, Dehumanisation of Autistic People, Gay Conversion Therapy, Physical Abuse, Grooming, and Coercive Control
This webinar explores the relationship between coercive control and ABA, through examining ABA’s history and current day positionality. The presentation explores issues surrounding common beliefs on ABA for Autistic people and the desire for, and damaged caused by, neuronormalisation. The latter part of the presentation focuses on the implications of compliance and control in ABA in the wider social and adult lives of Autistic people. Concluding with support methods to replace ABA, this webinar offers a Neurodivergent-affirming lens to the issues surrounding ABA outcomes and techniques with regards to coercive control.
Disclaimer
At Neurodiverse Connection, we are committed to promoting the use of neurodivergent affirming language. However, please do note that in these webinars, as with any content that Neurodiverse Connection host or share that includes input from other organisations or parties, we cannot guarantee that the preferred neurodivergent affirming terminology is always used.
Our guide to neurodivergent affirming language is available here:
Warda Farah (2023)
Early Years Educational Professionals need to be aware of the intersecting identities of the children they work with and their different needs and experiences. In this guide, the author explores what it means to approach teaching through an intersectional lens. The guide also provides a practical approach to integrating intersectional practices into a classroom or wider school environment. The author stresses that with greater understand of students’ lives and lived experience, the greater opportunity for collaboration between teachers and pupils. This work takes a positive, empathetic and inclusive stance to intersectionality in Early Years Education.
Pellicano, Fatima, Hall, Heyworth, Lawson, Lilley, Mahony and Stears (2022)
Most research on autistic adulthood focuses narrowly on deficits and standard life outcomes, overlooking what truly matters to autistic people. This review applies Martha Nussbaum’s capabilities approach to highlight the broader social and systemic factors that shape autistic adults' quality of life. It calls for more inclusive, participatory research and support systems that empower autistic individuals to thrive on their own terms.
Disclaimer: brief reference without details to sexual violence, self-harm and suicide.
Milton (2018)
Written by Dr. Damian Milton, originator of the Double Empathy Problem, this report critically examines the widespread use of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Positive Behavioural Support (PBS). It highlights key criticisms of these approaches, particularly their lack of alignment with the values and lived experiences of neurodivergent communities. The report concludes with recommendations for shifting toward more neurodivergent-affirming practices that prioritise respect, autonomy, and genuine understanding over behaviour control.
Disclaimer: discusses ABA and PBS.
Gov.UK
The Access to Work scheme provides support for people with additional requirements to stay in work. It can help people with a physical or mental health condition, Neurodivergence or disability. Through the system, you can apply for a grant to practically support you at work, support with managing your mental health, and funding to pay for communication support at job interviews. This website details what support Access to Work can give and the application method.
Pearson and Rose (2021)
This article explores autistic masking, behaviours like suppressing traits to fit in, and argues that current research overlooks the social pressures and trauma that contribute to it. The authors challenge the idea that masking is mainly a female trait and call for more inclusive, socially informed research that considers identity, exclusion, and unconscious behaviours. They hope this approach will improve understanding and support for autistic people who feel pressured to mask.
Matzalas, Richdale and Dissanayake (2022)
Autistic burnout is widely reported by autistic people but remains under-researched. This study introduces a new model, based on lived experiences, that explores how different risk and protective factors interact to contribute to, or help prevent, autistic burnout.
Generation Rent + NSUN
Generation Rent and the National Survivor User Network (NSUN) conducted a survey in mid-2024 with 814 private renters across the UK to explore how private renting affects mental health. The findings highlight serious concerns, including affordability issues, poor housing conditions, insecurity, and the threat of eviction, all contributing to negative mental health outcomes for tenants.
Disclaimer: includes accounts of trauma, distress and harm.
Ashworth, E. et al
Autistic children and young people are more likely to face mental health challenges but often encounter significant barriers when accessing support through Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. These include diagnostic overshadowing, high assessment thresholds, and limited professional understanding of autism. To improve care, services must adopt a neuroaffirmative approach, with better training, early support, and targeted funding for appropriate adjustments and therapies.
Dance and Ballestero (2022)
This article explores how sound enables communication in classrooms and how it can be optimised for better learning. It explains how sound is measured, the role of acoustics engineers in designing effective learning spaces, and includes experiments to measure sound in various environments.
Guest contributor, Remie Colledge, shares a call to action to services, employers, educators and allies everywhere: what changes could you make to help lift the invisible load carried by Neurodivergent people, navigating a world that isn’t designed for Neurodivergent minds?