Neurodiversity Conference at St Mary's University , Twickenham
About this Event
Neurodiversity Conference - October 23rd 2026
Join us for our second event of the year - this time in the Ballroom of St Mary's University! It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate the unique ways our brains work. Whether you're curious, passionate, or just want to meet like-minded colleagues, this conference is for you. Expect engaging talks, interactive sessions, and a welcoming vibe. Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of an inspiring community!
Speakers include -
Keynote speaker Professor Amanda Kirby ( Do it Profiler)
Founder, Do-IT Solutions
Professor Amanda Kirby is the founder of Do-IT Solutions, a “tech for good” company delivering web-based neurodiversity screening tools, accredited training, and consultancy for education and employment. She is also chair of the ADHD Foundation and works closely with many other charities in this field. She holds an MBBS from Cardiff, an MRCGP, and a PhD from Leeds, and is professor emeritus at the University of South Wales as well as an honorary professor at Cardiff University. A qualified GP with over 25 years' experience, she has published extensively, including the acclaimed book Neurodiversity at Work.
Colin Foley (ADHD) CEO of Neurodiversity UK
Colin Foley was the National Training Director at the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity. His work is grounded in empowering teachers to deliver outstanding outcomes for children and young people with ADHD, raising awareness of conditions such as ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, and Tourette's syndrome, alongside co-occurring mental health challenges. He is known for giving practical, classroom-ready strategies that help teachers identify learners of concern and build pupils' confidence and resilience.
Rebecca Thompson (Dyscalculia) One hour SASC accredited
Rebecca Thompson has been a teacher since 1996 and a Specialist Teacher with more than 19 years' assessment experience, working in mainstream and specialist schools and LA support services before founding Education Access in 2016. She holds AMBDA, an Assessment Practising Certificate, and BDA Approved Teacher Dyscalculia status, and produces diagnostic reports designed to be clear for non-experts while meeting the technical standards required by other professionals.
Dr Helen Ross (Dyslexia)
Dr Helen Ross is a fully qualified special needs teacher and former SENCo, working as an independent educational research consultant, specialist assessor, and SEND expert. She is Chair of the Wiltshire Dyslexia Association. Her research explores stakeholder experiences of SEND provision in mainstream education, with a focus on empowering those who support young people to take ownership of their own learning.
Lia Castiglione (EAA arrangements for SEN) One hour SASC accredited
Lia Castiglione has been teaching and supporting learners of all ages for over 30 years. She is a specialist teacher assessor, highly experienced in diagnostic assessment and access arrangements, and has held a current Assessment Practising Certificate since 2008. She is co-author of the Patoss/JCQ book Assessing the Need for Access Arrangements, and has served on the SASC Board of Directors.
Elizabeth Herbert ( Dyslexia) and Helen Williams Course Leader MA UCL
Elisabeth (Liz) Herbert is joint programme leader on the SpLD (dyslexia) Masters at the UCL Centre for Inclusive Education, where she also leads several modules. Her key areas of interest include dyslexia, literacy, language, and assistive technology, and she works to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEN
Helen has had over 40 years' experience in education as a SENCo, headteacher, education adviser, and in teacher education with UCL Institute of Education and St Mary's, Twickenham. She has a particular interest in mathematics education, including children with learning difficulties in maths and the barriers they face to learning. She has co-delivered research collaborations between UCL Institute of Education and dyscalculia specialist networks, exploring cognitive profiles and lived experience in dyscalculia and SpLD in maths.
Early bird tickets to include lunch are only £75 for a limited time only . More details about speakers and exhibitors to follow shortly but will include Ayoa, Sensory App House, Flexitables, Hogrefe and HADC.
If you cannot attend live do buy Lia's recording ( 1 hour SASC accredited)
I can invoice schools and individuals which saves on Eventbrite fees.
Timetable below - subject to change
Agenda
Registration
Welcome from Katrina Cochrane
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Colin Foley
Info: Supporting learners with ADHD in the classroom and beyond
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Professor Amanda Kirby
Info: Why the future is delivering personalised approaches - what stops that happening?
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Break and exhibitors
🕑: 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Liz Herbert and Helen Williams
Info: Exploring variations in the cognitive profiles of children and young people with dyscalculia and learning from their voices: a Knowledge Exchange project collaboration between UCL Institute of Education and the Dyscalculia Network.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Dr Helen Ross
Info: Supporting our Girls from School and Beyond: Evidence- based, practical strategies to support neurodivergent young women thrive .This session draws on findings from Dr Helen Ross’ Churchill Fellowship research, School and Beyond: Supporting Dyslexic and Neurodivergent Girls’ Next Moves, exploring how to better support neurodivergent young women as they transition from school into further study, training and employment.
🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:45 PM
LUNCH in the Junior Common Room and demos
🕑: 01:15 PM - 01:35 PM
Davey Jones - Ayoa mindmapping demo in the Billiard room
🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:45 PM
Lia Castiglione- EAA update - one hour SASC accredited
Info: Extra Time in Exams: Getting the Evidence Right
🕑: 02:45 PM - 03:00 PM
Break and exhibitors
🕑: 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Rebecca Thompson
Info: The use of informal activities in SpLD/Dyscalculia assessment
CLOSE OF CONFERENCE
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00 to GBP 161.14
