Neurodiversity Symposium*

New for 2025, our Annual Symposium will feature a wide-ranging topic and invite psychologists, experts and students to come and share their research, personal experiences, and discussions. Our inaugural symposium will be on Neurodiversity.

Neurodiversity refers to the natural variations in how the human brain functions. It encompasses diversities such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, OCD, dyspraxia, auditory processing, and more. Neurodiversity aims to create a more inclusive world for everyone, and advocates for acceptance and support for all neurodiverse people. The aim of this symposium is to provide a safe and inclusive setting for neurodiverse people, students, professionals, and academics to share their stories and discover more about what it means to be neurodiverse.

List of speakers and their topics: 

Frederick Toates will be presenting two talks: "Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A (Neuro)Psychological Perspective", and "Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: An Autobiographical Perspective".

Dr Fiona Essig will be presenting two talks - titles to be confirmed: one about having ADHD and being an academic, and a second on being a late diagnosed female.

Abigail McLanachan will be discussing her Masters and PhD research - "Neurodiversity: Inside and Out". 

Helen Daniel will be presenting two talks: "Understanding Neurosensory Divergance: The link between Neurology, Sensory Profiles and Observable Traits" and "Neurosensory Divergance: A lived-experience perspective (from childhood to adulthood)".

Dr Steven Kapp will be presenting a talk titled "Autism as a lifelong disability: Challenging 'lost autism' diagnosis."

What to expect:

The lectures are conducted in management conference seminar rooms within the University campus, and you will be provided with a timetable of talks before you arrive. Registration is from 3pm on Friday, dinner from 6pm and the Friday evening lecture at 8pm. The conference finishes at 3pm on Sunday.

You can choose how you spend your time. If you book the residential package then you will have a very comfortable ensuite room in management conference facilities complete with bedding, towels, a hairdryer, coffee-making facilities and desk. Wifi is also included. The training centre has a small exercise room within the building and you also have complimentary access to the  gym and pool on campus, so if you do want to relax then there is the option to do so.

The cost is inclusive of all meals, including Friday night and Saturday night dinner. There are no extra costs involved (except for drinks at the bar!). As well as your room and all meals this includes refreshments at break times, handouts which are only available to attendees, welcome drink on Friday night. Non-residential places are also available, please contact us for details if you would like this option.

The welcome drinks and psychology book stall are both excellent places to meet other students. All students and staff wear name badges, so it is easy to find somebody to help if you have any questions. You can enjoy your meals with a group of delegates in the comfortable dining room. The food is fresh, healthy buffet style catering, and there is something to entice everyone.

Finally, whilst most students leave exhausted from the learning and socialising, they comment that it is such a worthwhile weekend, and we see many of them each year as they progress their studies and also after graduating!

Venue:

The weekend takes place at Radcliffe Conference and Training Centre, University of Warwick. Both accommodation and lectures are located in the same building unless you have been informed otherwise.

Warwick is an award winning conference venue with excellent facilities. Access to the sports facilities, including the swimming pool, are included in the price. The university's central location with excellent transport links makes it easily accessible from all over the UK and Europe. There is ample free car parking.

Accessibility:

Click here for information on accessibility, parking and other related facilities.

Travel and directions:

Click here for satnav postcodes and directions to the University of Warwick.

For campus maps go to Warwick Campus Maps.