One in seven people in the United Kingdom identify as neurodivergent, yet many struggle with inadequate support from early childhood through adulthood.
With over 212,964 patients awaiting autism assessments as of December 2024, delays in diagnosis and post-diagnostic care are leaving individuals without important resources. This project explores what people, places, and systems are creating space for the neurodiverse community in the U.K.
This reporting project centers on neurodivergent researchers and how they're advocating for change in their community. U.K. neurodivergent researcher and advocate Sophia Parvizi-Wayne founded Kanjo Health, a platform that uses AI to provide pre-diagnostic insights for families of children navigating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism. Dr. Brian Irvine, a neurodivergent researcher at University College London, employs his insight as a neurodivergent person to mentor neurodivergent students and conduct participatory research.
In this project, Parvizi-Wayne and Irvine, along with other neurodivergent researchers and advocates across the U.K., share how their lived experiences shape their advocacy work and passion for change. This project also highlights systemic challenges and innovative solutions created by neurodivergent people for neurodivergent people.
