Training course

Neurodivergent
Wellbeing Approach

© Neurodiverse Connection 2025

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Cohort A
NdWA for Individuals

cohorts B&C
NdWA for Professionals

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About

What is the Neurodivergent Wellbeing Approach course?

The Neurodivergent Wellbeing Approach is a holistic, Neurodivergent-friendly well-being curriculum that offers education and practical strategies for Neurodivergent individuals, their family members, friends, caregivers, and professionals who support them.

This programme is based on the concept of ‘experience to share’ and is designed to promote the wellbeing of participants, which they can then share with those they care for and support.

  • I will encourage schools to think about implementing more time for joy and implementing some of the strategies that support their young persons nervous system responses as part of daily practice.

  • I feel like [I have] a better understanding of my autism.

  •  I will be more mindful of the emotions of the young people that I work with and how I can help them self-regulate.

  • It was great, thank you and it very much resonates with the work our provisions have done on the curriculum and listening to autistic feedback of experience of mainstream school.

  • It will speak to the importance of understanding their autistic learners and children and try to increase their understanding to make positive changes. Particularly in reference to consent and masking.

NdWA speaks to all aspects of Neurodivergent people

  • Mind

    NdWA speaks to Neurodivergent people’s minds via metacognitive (thinking about thinking) and self-coaching techniques.

  • Body

    NdWA speaks to Neurodivergent people’s bodies, through the cultivation of embodiment and instinct via nervous system education, neurosensory exercises and self-regulation strategies

  • Spirit

    NdWA speaks to Neurodivergent people’s spirit, energy and life-force through the development of intuition and an understanding and advocacy of self, their strengths and preferences, alongside exploring meaning in the world and in life.

Cohorts

NdWA
for Individuals

Neurodivergent Wellbeing approach speaks to all aspects of Neurodivergent people: mind, body and spirit. Learn educational and practical strategies for managing stress and sensory overwhelm, deepening your self-knowledge, building capacity and tolerance, connecting with joy, unmasking, practicing self-advocacy and exploring embodiment in a meaningful way.

Cohort A

8 x 90-minute evening sessions

Tuesdays, 6pm
18th March—13th May*

*No session 15th April

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NdWA
for Professionals

Learn how to apply and model the techniques and insights from Neurodivergent Wellbeing Approach to enrich your understanding of neurodivergence and to facilitate neurodivergent-affirming practices in hospitals, communities, educational settings, third sector groups. This highly-practical training will be of value to anyone who works with Neurodivergent people.

Cohort B

4 x half-day sessions

Tuesdays, 9.30am—1pm
13th May—10th June*

*No session 27th May

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Cohort C

4 x half-day sessions

Thursdays, 12.30pm—4pm
12th June—10th July*

*No session 26th June

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Course content

Course content

  • Session 1

    Foundations

    • What is neurodivergence and what are neurotypes?

    • Creating safe space for neurodivergent people

    • The importance of education

    • Wholeness for wellness (mind, body, spirit)

    • The core approaches—creativity, metacognition, instinct and intuition

    • The basics of wellness—wellbeing factors, mindful embodiment and self-compassion

  • Session 2

    Stress & The Nervous System

    Education – polyvagal theory, window of capacity, survival and stress responses

    Instinct and felt sense

    Hyper and Hypo sensory processing

    Self-regulation, self-soothing and resourcing

  • Session 3

    The Mind

    • Metacognition

    • Executive functioning, memory and sequencing

    • Self-coaching – life audit, intention setting and 4 As

    • Guided visualisation

  • Session 4

    Know Your Self

    Rhythms and cycles

    Emotions and alexithymia

    Managing energy and capacity to reduce burnout

    Self-compassion

  • Session 5

    Joy

    • Building capacity

    • Making sense or life

    • Finding meaning and the importance of special interests

    • Feeling connection

  • Session 6

    Unmasking

    • Be creative in learning about you

    • Gender and sexuality

    • Communicating preferences and truth

    • Releasing the old and writing your story

  • Session 7

    Self-Advocacy

    • More about neurodivergence and neurotypes

    • Reasonable adjustments – your rights

    • Power and control

    • Boundaries and assertiveness

  • Session 8

    Embodiment—The Practices

    Grounding

    SOS – Containment, releasing anger

    Regulation – ABC, breathing

    Building capacity – self touch, kidneys and adrenals, progressive muscle relaxation

INCLUDED WITH EVERY TRAINING PLACE

Printed coursebook

A full-colour, 84-page printed coursebook is included with your place on this course. The coursebook includes:

  • Detailed instructions for exercises and techniques

  • Space to write reflections and respond to questions

  • Models, illustrations and diagrams to accompany the course content

  • References and links to additional content and resources

A digital, fully interactive PDF version will also be emailed to every attendee.

Waiting list
Your trainer

Meet your trainer

Kay Louise Aldred
NdC Development Lead

Kay is an experienced educator with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and a theologian holding a Master’s degree (MA) focused on embodiment spirituality, needs, and care. A published author, she specialises in embodied education, and the bottom-up ‘fleshy knowing’ rooted in the lived neurodivergent experience of the bodymind. Kay is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree.

Her work is centred on neuro-inclusive, nervous-system-focused, trauma-informed, relational, and creative approaches to training and resources. Kay’s approach aims to enhance individual and collective well-being, while also fostering positive change in organisational culture and outcomes.

How was this course developed?

The Neurodivergent Wellbeing Approach course was inspired by the idea of improving well-being through body-first methods and embodiment perspectives, which are bottom-up approaches.

In this training, Neurodivergent individuals explore what gives their lives meaning and how to become their allies and advocates by partnering with themselves.

The training also incorporates trauma-informed and nervous system-friendly practices, focusing on the power of regulation and co-regulation between Neurodivergent people and those offering support.

FAQs

FAQs

  • NdWA training can be delivered to parents, family members and friends of Neurodivergent people of all ages, hospital teams, community teams, educators, third sector groups, or anyone else who works or lives with Neurodivergent people.

    We aim to work with individuals or teams who support Neurodivergent people , but we can also work directly with Neurodivergent people.

    This course is open to Neurodivergent and Neurotypical individuals.

    Attendees must be 18 years or older.

  • The NdWA course is delivered online via Zoom. The sessions will include a mixture of presentations, practical demonstrations, and discussion.

    In addition, you will be required to complete reflection tasks outside of sessions to gain your certificate. There is a workbook to accompany the session content—available digitally for free, or as a printed booklet for £20.

    NdWA can be delivered as 8x 90-minute sessions, or 4x half-day sessions. Please check the booking information to see which formats are being offered.

  • Both streams offer the same content, but with different applications depending on whether you’re approaching it as someone with lived experience of Neurodivergence, or a professional who works with Neurodivergent individuals.

    Which stream you choose to attend depends on your primary focus.

    NdWA for Individuals

    This stream is designed for Neurodivergent individuals, parents, and carers, focusing on personal well-being and supporting others' well-being in caregiving roles. If you’re looking to develop strategies for your own well-being, while also gaining insight into supporting others in a personal context, this cohort would be a good fit.


    NdWA for Professionals

    This stream is aimed at professionals, and those working in advocacy or lived experience roles, who want to apply strategies to their own wellbeing while also bringing in their professional experiences. If your primary intention is to enhance your practice and share experiences professionally, this would be the right choice.

    The course content and 'experience to share' model are identical for both streams, so it is not advisable to attend both at the same time.

  • To complete this training, you will need:

  • These sessions are suitable for up to 20 attendees.

  • Yes, definitely. 

    The content is useful for everyone in that it offers access to a comprehensive and holistic wellbeing programme.  It reduces barriers and prejudice through education and supports embodiment and self-exploration.  It is especially useful for reducing stress, anxiety, low mood and feelings of disempowerment, isolation and hopelessness.

  • We strongly advise that you ensure you are able to attend all sessions for chosen cohort before you book your place on the course.

    For confidentiality reasons, the sessions cannot be recorded and shared with attendees who may have missed them. If you are unable to attend a session due to unforeseeable circumstances, please contact the trainer as soon as possible.

  • Yes, we have a limited number of fully-subsidised bursary places available for qualifying candidates.

    To qualify for a subsidised place on our training course, applicants must meet these two following conditions:

    1. Financial need:
      Applicants with a demonstrable financial need, including low-income individuals or those currently unemployed, may qualify for a subsidised rate. Documentation may be requested to verify eligibility.

    2. Commitment to skills development and personal growth:
      Individuals who exhibit a strong motivation to develop their skills, engage in self-reflection, and pursue personal growth, especially those without alternative resources for training support, may also be eligible.

    Please note that eligibility is subject to availability, and proof of eligibility conditions may be required.

    To request a subsidised place, please email booking@ndconnection.co.uk explaining how you meet the above conditions.