Space framework.png
Space framework.png

A practical approach to neurodiversity-affirming care and support

£0.00

INTERACTIVE TOOLKIT

© Neurodiverse Connection 2026 All Rights Reserved

Download PDF

This toolkit has been developed by Neurodiverse Connection to support our practical approach to neurodiversity-affirming care and support across health, education, and social care. The foundation of this toolkit is the Autistic SPACE Framework – a person-centred care approach developed by Dr Mary Doherty, Dr Sue McCowan and Dr Sebastian CK Shaw – which we build on by integrating a stronger emphasis on emotional safety, sensory support, relational trust, embodied understanding and human rights. We believe that compassionate, relational and context-aware approaches are a more ethical and effective alternative to behaviourist models that prioritise compliance over wellbeing.

INTERACTIVE TOOLKIT

© Neurodiverse Connection 2026 All Rights Reserved

Download PDF

This toolkit has been developed by Neurodiverse Connection to support our practical approach to neurodiversity-affirming care and support across health, education, and social care. The foundation of this toolkit is the Autistic SPACE Framework – a person-centred care approach developed by Dr Mary Doherty, Dr Sue McCowan and Dr Sebastian CK Shaw – which we build on by integrating a stronger emphasis on emotional safety, sensory support, relational trust, embodied understanding and human rights. We believe that compassionate, relational and context-aware approaches are a more ethical and effective alternative to behaviourist models that prioritise compliance over wellbeing.

*We have created these separate resources to support day-to-day usage and easier file-sharing, but we encourage anyone using the individual tools to first review the full document for full guidance and context. 

You can also download individual PDFs of the five tools contained in the toolkit*

Tool 1 Foundational principles, practical guidelines and reflection exercises

Tool 2 Discussion prompts, planning tools, strategies and action steps

Tool 3 Care plan template

Tool 4 Safety plan template

Tool 5 Care and safety plan summary template

 

Looking for training or support to implement the principles and practice in this toolkit?

Get in touch with us for a conversation about training, available for commission.

Explore our training curriculum