2025 Headline Sponsor
The National Neurodiversity Shows kick off in Cardiff in 2025 taking place on May 22nd at Cardiff City Stadium. We’re really excited to be holding it in Wales’ capital City at The Cardiff City Stadium, which is great for parking and transport links. Cardiff is a vibrant multicultural city full of Welsh heritage . If you’re thinking of visiting Cardiff, you won’t regret exploring the Welsh coast, Cardiff Bay and of course,
attending the show!
2025 Seminar Sponsor
Seminar Line Up
Professional
Elsa Torres;
Family Pathway;
Beyond the Baseline: Universal Design Through a Person-Centred Lens
Join Elsa Torres, specialist consultant in inclusion by design and neurodivergent advocate, for an energising and thought-provoking session that dares to ask: What if inclusion wasn’t just a strategy, but a mindset? This seminar invites educators and leaders to go beyond compliance and towards a culture of belonging—where person-centred practice isn’t a bolt-on, but the foundation. Explore powerful tools for person-centred planning, and learn how to use them to co-create environments that not only meet needs but unlock potential. We’ll dive into real-life strategies for shifting mindsets, challenging assumptions, and designing systems that reflect the diversity of how we think, feel, communicate, and learn. You'll also explore the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, “universal” isn’t enough—and that’s where true inclusion begins. If you're ready to move from “one-size-fits-all” to “what does this learner need to thrive?”, then this session will leave you inspired, equipped, and ready to lead the change
Inspirational
Sophia Grech
International Opera Singer;
Finding My Voice Through Singing
Sophia Grech is an internationally celebrated mezzo-soprano with a career spanning three decades. She has been featured and reviewed in the world’s press including newspapers and magazines, having also given television and radio interviews. She has won great acclaim for her performances at leading concert halls, opera houses and international festivals worldwide; leading to regular invitations to give masterclasses around the world since graduating from the Royal College of Music in 1995. In 2015 Sophia was diagnosed with autism and is now an appointed Ambassador on behalf of associated organisations worldwide alongside her artistic career. "As a child I used musical sounds singing to express myself verbally as spoken word didn't mean anything to me. I basically learnt emotional skills from listening to music. My presentation takes listeners on a journey from my childhood through to how I managed to have an international career as an opera singer. I cover career challenges and how I have navigated my way using some naturally learnt coping strategies."
Professional
Neurodivergence Wales;
Who are the National Neurodivergence Team and What do they do?
The National Neurodivergence Team is funded by
Welsh Government to help improve the lives of neurodivergent people and their
families across Wales. They do this in a number of ways – through co-produced
training and resources, practice sharing and promoting the needs of neurodivergent
people.
This short presentation will outline the work of the Team and some of the
bilingual, free-to-access resources that are available on their website
(www.NeurodivergenceWales.org)
Professional
Daryl McMullan – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – The Inclusivity Group;
Closing the Gap in Government Support – Making Access to Work, Work for You
At The Inclusivity Group, we firmly believe that people should be able to be their best selves within employment.
Access-To-Work is a fantastic government scheme that has been under-publicised by the Government and is littered with barriers to access.
In this seminar, we will share information about Access-To-Work, eligibility, the process of applying and how the team at The Inclusivity Group are going one step further to support individuals to access information and support with applying, FREE OF CHARGE and with no obligation to use us following your award being granted.
*SEMINAR SPONSOR*
Professional
Lavinia Dowling;
The M Word CiC;
Mental Health and Our Emotional Blueprint
Whilst many of us know and understand that physically we have inherited genetics from our family, and have some understanding around the different ailments, illnesses, and terminal trajectory as well as build, height, eye colour, there seems less consideration around our mental health genetic history. Even more intriguing with raised awareness around neurodiversity, we can look back at the family history and see that our older and deceased relatives might have been misdiagnosed. Listen to Lavinia, Director and Mental Health nurse, talk you through considerations around the Emotional Blueprint from a neurodivergent perspective.
Professional
Sarah Osborne, BA(Hons) mBANT rCNHC;
SO Nutrition;
Building Resilience with Diet and Nutrition for Neurodivergence
This empowering seminar offers valuable insights, tools, and actionable strategies to enhance resilience through balanced eating while respecting your unique needs. Led by a nutritionist and emotional eating practitioner who runs a neurodivergent nutrition clinic, this seminar will present the latest evidence-based approaches for fostering a healthier, more resilient relationship with food.
Professional
Dr Emily Lowthian & Dr Cathryn Knight; The Identification of Additional Learning Needs, and Their Impact on Educational Attainment
In this seminar, we use population-level data to follow 200,000 children over 10+ years to explore how characteristics such as deprivation, season of birth etc, are related to additional learning needs identification. Then, we explore how this additional learning needs identification is related to educational attainment at age 7, 11, 14 and 16. We explore this in terms of any identification, the timing of identification, and type of diagnosis - including autism, dyslexia, ADHD and behavioural/social/emotional diagnosis . Our findings give us important insights for policy and practice
Inspirational
Cllr Charlotte Galsworthy; My Journey with ADHD
Join us for an inspiring seminar as we delve into the personal journey of living with ADHD. This seminar is not just about understanding the challenges of ADHD but celebrating the strengths and resilience that come with it. Our inspirational speaker; Councillor Charlotte Galsworthy will share her compelling personal story navigating life with ADHD and overcoming it’s challenges to become a locally treasured councillor.
Professional
HCB Solicitors; EHCPs, IDPs & How To Secure Funding For Your Child With SENs
Join one of the leading legal firms in the UK to hear how to secure funding for your child with special educational needs. Specialists from HCB Solicitors will explain how Educational Health and Care Plans and IDPs work and how this skilled and well practised firm will support your family to obtain the support you need.
Professional
Matt Higginson; How to Foster Neurodivergence in the Workplace
Whether you're an HR professional, manager, business leader, or advocate for diversity and inclusion, this seminar is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to champion neurodiversity within your organization. Brought to you by Insight Workplace Health, this insightful discussion will explore practical strategies and insights to foster an environment where neurodivergent people can thrive.
Inspirational
Konrad Halabuda; Life at Home and Work
When Konrad found out his son, Hunter had autism, his life shifted. However with
love, understanding and the support of people around him the family have used their
experiences to shine a light on how positivity and empathy can lead to incredible outcomes.
Professional
Anita Davies; Harnessing Your ADHD Brain
Join us for a seminar designed to show you that an ADHD brain is far from broken. We'll discuss how neurotypical thinking often doesn't suit our minds and explore how it feels to experience controlled ADHD. We'll discuss strategies to leverage the unique strengths of ADHD, minimising overwhelm and frustrations. This session offers valuable insights for embracing and optimising your ADHD brain.
Inspirational
Jamie Denyer; Assembling the Avengers
After a diagnosis of ADHD & Autism at the age of 41, there were a lot of things that were “answered” for Jamie. He took that diagnosis & added it to his already impacting motivational talks that he was carrying out nationwide in schools, colleges, prisons & corporate. Just like all the other challenges life threw at Jamie that he turned into good, this was no different.. He brings the energy & inspiration to make you see that although we all have “kryptonite” in life, that we also have these neurodiverse superpowers! Total transparency of his good, bad & indifferent neurodiversity life, him being a single neurodivergent dad & his eldest daughter also having the “superpowers” too… Avengers are assembling.. be a part of it!
Inspirational
Alex Swift; Re-defining Our Lives; Towards a Social Understanding of Neurodiversity
This session explains that how we define autism shapes our understanding of the condition as a society. Drawing on his lived experience of understanding his autism, assessments and defining the condition for himself, Alex strongly advocates for the Social Model of Disability. At one point during the session, Alex will be conducting a thought experiment, describing "neuro-typical" traits in the same way you often see autistic traits presented in the media, as a way of illustrating the importance of language in these discussions
Professional
Karen Mills;
Creating a Neuroinclusive World with Ap Cymru
Karen’s youngest son was diagnosed as autistic just before his second birthday in 2008. She founded AP Cymru – The Neurodiversity Charity a few months later. In 2010 her eldest son was diagnosed as autistic and then Karen was diagnosed herself in 2018, aged 43! The charity now directly supports over 1400 neurodivergent children and young people; is a leading training provider across Wales and is hugely proud to have created a workplace which is the model used to showcase the importantance of creating a neuroinclusive world.
Professional
Laura Connor;
The Neurodiversity Fairy;
How to Dominate Your ADHD
A motivational and educational seminar on ADHD management, from viral content creator and Neurodiversity advocate ‘The Neurodiversity Fairy’. By utilising science-backed research and holistic lifestyle strategies, Laura’s approach to ADHD is not only life changing but empowering! Big talk, no nonsense attitude and an inspirational backstory, Laura will have you ready to change your life from day one - and she’s got the tools to help you do it!
Professional
Catherine Leggett;
Can we ‘universally design’ and still be neurodivergent-affirming?
This seminar will be interesting, and useful, for service providers, employers, HR professionals and careers professionals and is packed with practical resources, tools and tips. Catherine is an autistic/dyslexic/dyscalculaic/dysgraphic time served professional and practitioner, having supported a diverse community of autistic individuals in their career, working with the two top autism charities in the UK. You will learn how competing neurodivergent needs can be managed, to better achieve neurodivergent affirming services, organisations and workplaces through robust, and best practice universal design
Professional
Krystal-Bella Shaw;
Understanding Dyspraxia: A Practical Guide for Educators, Employers, and Parents
This talk provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and supporting dyspraxic individuals, designed for educators, employers, parents, and caregivers. Learn practical strategies to foster inclusivity at school, work, and home, alongside insights into the lived experiences of dyspraxic individuals. Explore how accurate representation and advocacy can make a meaningful difference.
*Details and descriptions of seminars are provided by each presenter and are subject to change.
Exhibitor Line Up
Getting here
Driving from East Leave the M4 at junction 33. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the A4232 signposted to Penarth. After approx. 6 miles branch left and leave the A4232, following the sign to Cardiff City Stadium. At the roundabout take the first exit onto Leckwith Road (B4267 signposted to City Centre). Cardiff City Stadium is on the right.
Driving from West Leave the M4 at junction 33. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the A4232 signposted to Penarth. After approx. 6 miles branch left and leave the A4232, following the sign to Cardiff City Stadium. At the roundabout take the first exit onto Leckwith Road (B4267 signposted to City Centre). Cardiff City Stadium is on the right.
By Bus There is a regular bus service to Cardiff City Stadium from Cardiff Central Bus Station. Bus numbers 1, 8, 95, X91, X1 and 95B stop nearby, the most direct numbers are 1, 2, 4, 95A, 95B and 95C. Please contact Cardiff Bus for further information.
By Train Cardiff City Stadium is just a 2-mile taxi ride from Cardiff Central railway station. There are regular trains to London Paddington, Reading, Swindon, Bristol, Portsmouth, Southampton, Weymouth and West Wales, with easy connections to most areas of the UK. Please contact National Rail for further information.
By Air Cardiff Airport is approx. 11 miles away from Cardiff City Stadium, with good public transport links, hire cars and taxi services. Arrival at the Stadium by helicopter can be arranged.
Cardiff City Stadium Leckwith Road Cardiff CF11 8AZ Sat. Nav. Postcode: CF11 8AZ
When you arrive take the lift or stairs to level 3 and follow signs for the Ricoh Suite.
Parking is free.
