A Day on Neurodiversity

When it was first published in 1952, the DSM listed 100 types of mental disorders.

By the year 2000, that number had tripled.

How did this happen?

Are we really becoming more mentally “disordered” as a population? Or might our basic assumptions about what is “normal” (and what isn’t) be wrong?

For too long, the medical model of mental health has viewed variations in brain functioning as “disabilities” that need to be “cured”, rather than as unique potentialities, which, if harnessed, could lead to greater thriving both for those who have them, and for society as a whole.

Neurodiversity (ND) is a paradigm-shifting concept that challenges how we think about the brain.

Instead of viewing large segments of the population as suffering from mental “disorders”, neurodiversity suggests that we embrace these differences in cognitive functioning, and emphasise their positive aspects, so that we can harness the unique potentiality of every individual.

So, in this online conference, we’ll explore science-based strategies for unlocking the potential of a wide range of differently wired brains.

• Working with Neurodiversity in Psychotherapy; an introductory overview of working with autistic and neurodiverse clients in therapeutic practice, and the best practices for understanding, supporting and offering effective treatment to clients with ND needs - Ruth Millman and Danny van Deurzen Smith

• Unmasking Autism; how (and why) there are countless autistic people 'masking' as neurotypical in our society, why autism remains significantly undiagnosed in women and other groups, the importance of non-conformity and radical authenticity, as well as practical tools and insights participants can use to help themselves, and others, uncover their true selves and build a new society - one in which everyone can thrive on their own terms - Dr Devon Price, PhD (Live Interview)

• Rethinking ADHD; how to use cognitive strategies from CBT to effectively manage ADHD, what the latest research reveals about how negative thoughts and beliefs affect adults with the condition, and how CBT can be adapted to help those with ADHD thrive, and translate long term intentions into day-to-day actions - Dr Russell Ramsay, PhD

For a full breakdown of the lectures, speakers (and their reading recommendations) emailed to your inbox, please click here.

Ruth Millman is an existential psychotherapist who has been working with neurodivergent individuals, families and couples for 18 years. She has worked in NHS mental health services, specialist autism centres and charities. Ruth currently is the course lead for the autism and neurodiversity post graduate programmes at the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling, validated by Middlesex University. Ruth is a queer dyslexic with hypermobility, and specialises in working with other LGBTQIA+ neurodivergent people in individual and group settings.

Danny van Deurzen Smith is an exisential coach and course leader for the MA in Existential Coaching at the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling where they are also administrative director. Danny co-facilitates a monthly support group for LGBTQ+ autistic adults with Ruth, and runs regular workshops on gender fluidity, working existentially with autism and existential coaching. In their coaching practice, they work predominantly with autistic and LGBTQ+ clients. They are autistic and genderqueer, and their pronouns are he/she/they.

Dr. Devon Price is a social psychologist, writer, professor, and proud autistic person. Dr Price’s work has appeared in numerous publications such as the Financial Times, Slate, The Rumpus, NPR, and HuffPost and has been featured on the front page of Medium numerous times. He is also the author of “”.

You can learn more about Devon’s work at and follow him on twitter at @drdevonprice.

Russell Ramsay, Ph.D., ABPP is co-founder and clinical director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Adult ADHD Treatment and Research Program and professor of clinical psychology in psychiatry in the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. He is also senior staff clinician at Penn’s Center for Cognitive Therapy. Dr. Ramsay has authored numerous peer-reviewed professional and scientific articles and book chapters. He has written five books about adult ADHD, most recently Rethinking Adult ADHD. His book, The Adult ADHD Tool Kit, has been translated into French, Spanish, and is being translated into Korean. Dr. Ramsay is an inductee in the CHADD Hall of Fame. He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Attention Disorders and The ADHD Report. Dr. Ramsay is board-certified in cognitive-behavioral therapy. In addition to a full clinical load, he supervises clinicians-in-training in the assessment and psychosocial treatment of adult ADHD.

Please click here for more information.

• 1:00pm – 2:00pm: Working with Neurodiversity in Psychotherapy - Ruth Millman and Danny van Deurzen Smith

• 2:00pm – 2:30pm: Break

• 2:30pm – 3:30pm: Unmasking Autism - Dr Devon Price, PhD (live interview)

• 3:30pm – 4:00pm: Break

• 4:00pm – 5:00pm: Rethinking ADHD - Dr Russell Ramsay, PhD

Please note - all times are in BST.

If you need a time-zone converter, please click here.

• Get exclusive access to the content - at least six months before anyone else
• Interact with world class speakers and leading academics in real time, and get your questions answered in the Q&A sessions
• Build lasting relationships with a community of likeminded people as you interact throughout the talks
• Earn a CPD certificate and demonstrate your commitment to ongoing professional development.

After you register on Eventbrite, you will receive an email with a unique link and instructions to join the video conference.

You will be able to submit questions to each speaker during the Q+A sessions.

Ticket buyers who purchase the recordings 'add-on' for £7.50 (see tickets) will receive:

— Unedited recordings of all lectures at 11am (UK time) the day following the event.

— Fully edited recordings of all lectures 10 days following the event.

TWU Members receive all recordings and CPD certification free of charge. Please click here for more information on our membership options.

If you have any further questions, please email [email protected] for more information.

You might be:

• A mental health practitioner; psychotherapist, counsellor or coach, attending for continuing professional development
• A psychology student seeking to broaden your knowledge in different areas of the subject
• Considering a transition into a career in psychology, but not sure exactly what route to take yet
• A member of the general public attending for the sheer joy of learning and exploring your curiosity.

The Weekend University seeks to guarantee an excellent learning experience.

If you are not fully satisfied with the day, you will receive 100% of your money back, and we will cover the cost of your travel to and from the venue.

We offer a full refund if you cancel within 7 days of the event date.

For cancellations in the week leading up to the event, tickets are transferable but non-refundable.

Please click here for more information on TWU Memberships.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

University of Greenwich, Stockwell Street Library, 10 Stockwell Street, London, United Kingdom