Guest speaker: When neurodiversity meets adversity – how educators can help to create positive outcomes

Course overview

The diagnosis of a neurodiverse condition can help adults better understand children’s needs and the specific support they require. However, reaching this conclusion isn’t always straightforward and can be a long and challenging process.

In the absence of a diagnosis, children and young people may be wrongly labelled as ‘naughty’ or ‘difficult’ and therefore miss out on the help they need.

In this 2-hour webinar, Independent Consultant, former Headteacher and Youth Justice Board member, Sharon Gray OBE, explores how you can support these children, whether they have a diagnosis or not.

‘When neurodiversity meets adversity’ is worth 5 CPD points to Thrive Licensed Practitioners.

Actionable insights, tips, and techniques

By the end of this two-hour session, you’ll have:

• A deeper understanding of neurodiversity and why the absence of a diagnosis doesn’t mean an absence of need
• A greater awareness of the impact class, gender and race can have on getting a diagnosis for conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Essential skills to support children and young people with or without a diagnosis
• Expert insights on how experiences in school can directly impact on life outcomes, such as addiction, time in prison and violence
• Evidence that a relational approach is the answer to help heal troubled children and young people and how this impacts the adults they become and wider society.

About Sharon Gray

Sharon Gray OBE is an independent consultant with Wholehearted Learning www.sharongray.org. She has been a Thrive trainer for almost seven years leading the EYFS, Childhood, Adolescent Practitioner and SLT courses. She has also written a number of supportive documents and the Reconnecting after Lockdown webinar.

Sharon was a headteacher for 22 years (mainstream and special schools - SEMH, primary, secondary and residential), an Ofsted Inspector for 10 years, and is currently a member of the Youth Justice Board with strategic oversight of education in custody. She is working on the development of the first secure schools as we move from our current system of custody for children and the Board champion for Neurodivergence.

She is also an independent adviser to the Department for Education on mental health, wellbeing and behaviour. In 2013, she was named Teacher of the Year at the Pride of Britain Awards. In 2015 Sharon was awarded an OBE for services to education. She is currently enjoying being back in school and working with children as her role as Assistant Principal of an all through Autistic Spectrum Condition special school.

Suitable for

Thrive Licensed Practitioners .