Neurodiversity & Neuroinclusion Advocacy

💚 We are proud to support Neurodiversity Celebration Week! Earlier this year, @differingminds came to deliver an impactful and engaging workshop around neurodiversity. Many of our staff gained a wider perspective about neurodiversity and those who are affected, such as other colleagues who kindly shared their lived experience of neurodivergence! We would like to thank Jess and all our members of staff, as we actively enhance our neuroinclusion in the workplace and in everyday life! 💫 #Neurodiversity #Neuroinclusion #Neurodivergence #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek

How do you start a new year? How would you *like* to start a new year? I used to be full of slightly unrealistic intentions that sounded great but rather than energising, become hurdles I routinely failed at. Learn another language - any one, I wasn’t fussy. Get fit – joints permitting. Have a healthy diet- whilst joy in food devolves to something swift and dopamine-intense. The wonderful Jess Meredith of @DifferingMinds suggests an alternative approach. Rather than a binary achieve/ fail for ever, try something looser that accommodates the messiness of life. Choosing a theme for the year. Inspirational suggestions are “calm, connection, courage”. Mine are generally more prosaic - “survive”, or “don’t kill anyone”. So far so good. Pick a word of the year- that helps you make good choices. “Ease, balance, reclaim, recover”. Mine? “Boundaries”. It’s the common thread in every coaching session. Stack tiny habits – add a new thing to something you do regularly. I’m still trying to remember rolling my shoulders as I wait for the kettle to boil, or balancing on one leg whilst brushing my teeth. Something to aspire to. “Create a bingo card of joyful, meaningful challenges” – and instantly my inner grouch comes out. Maybe I’m not cut out for this inherently upbeat, nice way of living? Suggestions include “try a new hobby” (that’s a frequent practice already) or “take a screen-free walk” (you walk whilst looking at your phone? On my mobility scooter I’d run people over…) Hmn, perhaps this one isn’t for me. Set quarterly goals – with the idea that you aren’t trapped into a 12 month track but can pivot as the situation demands. Hmn. I glance at my pile of books-to-be-read. I suspect I am exhibiting PDA- pathological demand avoidance. Tell me to do something and I immediately question/ rebel/ refuse. I do have a mental list of things I’d like to get done this year. That will have to do. I know if I write them down I will lose the list and come across it at some unspecified time in the future, disappointing myself in how life took me in a different direction to my plans… I offer you these- Jess’s – suggestions, with my modifications. How do they sit with you?

If you want to stay capable, confident, and independent as you age, you need a way of moving that supports real life. That’s what this book gives you. Move Well for Life is a practical guide created to apply to your own real life, not a theoretical one. It’s written in 3 main parts: Part 1: Why we need to reclaim movement This is where you’ll understand why modern life reduces movement without us noticing, and how that quietly affects mobility, strength, balance and confidence over time. You’ll also start spotting the societal barriers (and your own hidden ones) so you can recognise them for what they are and approach change with curiosity rather than self-judgement Part 2: The Move Well Wheel – a framework for moving well for life This is my six-part framework (M.O.V.I.N.G.) that helps you assess what’s missing in your everyday movement and, more importantly, what to do about it. You’ll get hundreds of ideas to help you build more variety into your real life, not a prescribed perfect routine. This Part is supported by the ‘Everyday Movement Plan’ which has a template you can download from my website, so you can turn what you’re reading into a simple plan that fits your life. Part 3: Making movement a lifelong habit This is where you’ll bring it all into practice with self-kindness and realistic goals, so the changes actually stick long-term (without relying on willpower or ‘starting again on Monday’), using the Everyday Ease Method™.  Movement Moments + companion videos At the end of every chapter, there’s a Movement Moment with descriptions of lots of movements to try. I’m also giving free access to a selection of accompanying videos via my website, so you can see them brought to life. 📘 Move Well for Life is published in just a few days (1st January). If you want to be automatically sent the link with all the details and where you can order it… 👇Comment BTB now, and you can start your Move Well for Life journey in a few days time! Wendy 💜 #author #movewellforlife #makemovementmatter

🎓 Getting the Right Support for Your Neurodivergent Child in School* In this clip, Jess Meredith explains your rights and how the system works to help you secure the best support for your neurodivergent child at school. Learn how to build strong relationships with teachers, what to ask for and the steps to take when things aren’t going smoothly in our full video. Find the link in our bio (subscription required). What's been your biggest challenge in securing school support for your child? Share below 👇 #Neurodivergent #NeurodivergentChild #Schooling #Families #SEN #Parenting #EducationSupport #SpecialNeeds *Please note this video is aimed at a UK audience

Why are so many teachers constantly in pain? And what can movement do to change that? This week, I chat with Clare Rawlings, former teacher turned movement coach, founder of Raw Movement, about the hidden toll of repetitive work patterns, poor footwear, and a lack of basic movement education in both schools and offices. We talk about: 👉 Why ticking the “150 minutes ‘exercise’ a week” box often isn’t enough 👉 How teachers (and kids) are learning movement habits that hurt 👉 What small shifts in daily movement can do for pain, energy and health Whether you work in a school (or office) or just spend a lot of time on your feet, this conversation will get you thinking differently about how you move, and how you feel. 🎙️This is a clip from the ‘Make Movement Matter’ podcast: Episode #55. The raw truth about movement: Combating teacher burnout and pain with Clare Rawlings 🎧 To listen to this episode, comment 👇 the word  POD  & I’ll DM you the link to the show to your platform of choice.  Has this resonated with you? If you enjoy it, please support the show by pressing Follow, Rate & Review on your platform of choice and let us know how you found it in the Comments below.  💜 Wendy & Clare   #teacherlife #teachersofinstagram #schoolteachers #ReclaimMovement #MakeMovementMatterpodcast

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Workplace speakers you should know about (part 2) 🎤 In support of World Autism Acceptance Month, we are sharing some of our brilliant neurodiverse speakers. For more information or to enquire about booking a speaker get in touch with us! Email: [email protected] or contact us via our website. If you didn’t know for every paid business talk, we fund a school talk so working with us means you boost your CSR efforts too. Follow for part 3️⃣ coming soon… 🎤💜 #speakers #workplace #keynotespeakers

Last week we held a fantastic workshop with Jess Meredith from Differing Minds, in which she helped us to understand neurodivergent minds. Thank you so much Jess, you have really helped our members learn more on this topic. The feedback has been amazing: 🔴 I really liked that there was an activity to actually test and realise how different brains can be 🟠 Very positive talk and comments from others in the session, helped me to think differently about the context of neurodiversity in work and society whilst also giving practical advice 🟡 Certainly more informed! 🟢 Very enlightening 🔵 great presentation really useful to understand my 9 year old 🟣 What a refreshingly run session, Jess was amazing her content was so insightful and I would very much like to see more from her. 🔴 I liked the way things were explained, this made it easy for me to understand 🟠 Very good, knowledgeable, passionate speaker 🟡 Amazing workshop, learnt a lot! 🟢 Excellent session, thank you. Thought provoking. 🔵 The note on processing speed/style was something I haven't considered before but surprisingly fits my experience. 🟣 Very informative and interactive 🔴 Loved the examples and recommendations for things to do to be more neuro-inclusive 🟠 Good to see lots of interactions from folk on the call 🟡 It will help me to understand better my son and apply to workplace when needed. 🟢 Really enjoyable! I learned a lot 🔵 Lots of good information and further reading given 🟣 This was very informative. My daughter was recently diagnosed Autistic, Dyslexia and ADHD last year at the age of 17, This session was very helpful for me to understand more. For those who missed it, the talented Sam Warbuton has captured the highlights in this sketchnote, a recording is also available by clicking the link in our bio (subscription required, expires 3/6/25). #NeurodivisityCelebration #UnderstandingNeurodiversity #Neurodiverse

This @neurodiversityweek , let’s spotlight the incredible neurodiverse founders breaking barriers in business! 💡 Did you know? 🔹 48% of neurodiverse individuals face discrimination ‘always’ or ‘regularly’ at work. 🔹 78% of neurodiverse founders hide their neurodiversity in business settings. 🔹 While 47% see enough role models, 35% believe there’s still a gap. Let's help change that, by getting to know these amazing founders who haven't let their neurodivergenece stop their success: @roei__samuel , founder of @connectd Kim To, founder of @ownyourflair Martha Barnard-Rae, founder & CEO of @wordcandycomms Lee Chambers aka @maleallyship Jess Meredith, founder of @differingminds Ai Ling Walker, co-founder of @noetic.health @jomalonecbe , founder of @jolovesofficial @datingwithjamie_ , founder of @mattr.social 🌟 These, and many others just like them, are proving that neurodiversity is a strength, not a setback. Let’s celebrate their impact and push for a more inclusive future! #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek #NeurodiverseFounders #InclusionMatters

Should You Pursue An Adult Neurodiversity Diagnosis? In our clip, Jess Meredith explores two different approaches to gaining self-understanding and validation; receiving a medical diagnosis or conducting your own research and developing a deeper understanding of yourself. Jess delves into this further in our full 11 minute video, which can be found by clicking the link in our bio (subscription required, expires 17/06/25) #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek #NeurodiversityDiagnosis #Neurodiversity

Curious to learn more about ADHD & Autism in Females? 🤔Have you been wondering for a while if one or both of these is you? Or maybe you’re recently identified but still learning.. 👯 Maybe a partner, child, or someone in your team has been diagnosed and you want to support them? ❤️‍🩹Has someone at work been identified but you don’t know how to talk about it? 🏳️‍⚧️Do you identify as non-binary or trans and need a safe space to learn about ND in AFAB? You might be… #NeuroCurious 👋 💡 ADHD & Autism in females are still widely misunderstood. For generations, gender gaps in research have led to misdiagnoses and stigma. And when we don’t understand something, it can create shame and isolation. That’s why @thewomen_hood is bringing back community events for the first time in 5 years... Say hello to NeuroCurious! 📆 Join us on Thursday 24th April, 6:30–9:30pm📍 @platf9rm Hove 💜 A safe, judgment-free space to learn together, raising money for @amazesussex 👥 Open to all genders, ages 14+ 🔗 Limited in-person tickets—link in bio! Ticket bundles available for your team. This will be an inclusive, safe, judgement-free, accessible space for you to learn more and crucially feel POSITIVE about these neurobiologies. For whilst they may bring their challenges there are so many great characteristics that need a light shone on them. Tickets are launching soon. Get your on the waitlist now to hear first and to secure your spot in person, or live stream. Our list of partners is growing already, stay tuned to learn more soon. If you’d like to partner or sponsor - Email the team to learn more 👉 [email protected] I’d love to welcome you there and support you on your journey of discovery. I can confirm everything gets easier when you know more 😘 Tagging some folk who may be interested. Any support sharing the love always appreciated - pop this in your stories or WhatsApp groups 🙏 Head to link to get on that waitlist 💕 Jess x