Events Put On For Neurodiversity Awareness Week 2025

You may not know it but this week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week which is a worldwide initiative which helps challenge stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding people who have neurological differences. This includes having natural variations in human brains and how they function and includes have conditions such as  autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, among others.

The main aims and objectives of this week have been to transform the way neurodivergent individuals are perceived thus helping to provide more support and cater for their needs. This could be through the education system in schools, colleges and universities as well as when people take their first steps in to the world of work. If more employers or institutions know about the different issues which people with a neurodivergent background suffer from, there is a higher chance that they will receive the right kind of support to enable them to fulfil their full potential.

“I founded Neurodiversity Celebration Week in 2018 because I wanted to change the way learning differences are perceived. As a teenager who is autistic and has ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia, my experience has been that people often focus on the challenges of neurological diversity. I wanted to change the narrative and create a balanced view which focuses equally on our talents and strengths.”

That's according to Siena Castellon who founded Neurodiversity Celebration Week as a way of giving more representation and exposure to those who are in extra need of help and support in modern day society.

The week was also created to help recognise the strengths and weaknesses of those who may see the world differently. By working together, people can create a more inclusive atmosphere which will help to cater for the needs of those who may be perceived as less able or in need of more support.

People were invited to get involved in a variety of ways to help spread the message of inclusivity and ensure that the support goes to the right people who need it to help them adapt to the fast pace of modern society.

Amongst the many sufferers with neurological differences in the UK is model Kerri Moore who wishes to share her story in case it may help someone who may have a similar condition or difficulties. She began suffering through out her teenage years and never felt like she fitted in whether that be in her family life or through friendships in school.

“Throughout my life I have been given multiple mental health diagnosis including Depression, Anxiety and later came EUPD (emotionally unstable personality disorder) alongside C-PTSD ( complex post traumatic stress disorder) however it was only when I became a Mum and 2 of my younger children started struggling with behaviour and school that I recognised myself in some of their behaviour.”

“Outwardly I would love socialising but for days after I would experience this fatigue, I now know that masking can make you feel extreme fatigue for days after a social event.”

“My mental health struggles meant that I had to be treated in a Mental Health hospital as I had reached crisis point where I no longer wanted to be here, my second stay brought about a journey of exploring why I struggled to function in day to day life, why I experienced extreme fatigue, why I struggled to organise my time and get started on tasks that gave me little reward.”

When I was referred for further assessment under NHS right to choose I was referred to clinical Partners, and at ages of 45 & 46 I've received diagnosis of ADHD, and Autism, my ADHD is combined so I experience the hyperactivity in my brain, finally I had the answers but it's brought about a sense of grief, a grief for 2hat could've been if I had been better understood.”

“There's so much awareness surrounding neurodiversity but I still feel there's a stigma attached too it, because Autism is a spectrum not any one persons presentation is the same.”

“Thankfully after a long journey I've also been able to try ADHD medication this has been transformational, it gives me the energy I need each day to function and look after my wellbeing better, medication isn't for everyone but for me its been life changing, currently Clinical Partners see me once a month virtually to monitor any changes and to ensure I get the right dosage, once I have platoed a request will be made to my GP for shared care.”

“There's been much in the news recently regarding ADHD diagnosis sadly with a negative slant stating its over diagnosed, I would love for anyone to spend a life with someone diagnosed, I've struggled my entire life with friendships, relationships, employment some have called us "the lost generation" because alongside more awareness we've recognised behaviours within ourselves of neurodiversity, most of us have been parents of neurodiverse children.”

“I just hope that the government alongside charitable organisations work with those with neurodiversity and not against us, with news yesterday that some of us may be losing PIP it's a great period of anxiety.”

If you'd like to find out more about Neurodiversity Awareness Week, please visit: www.neurodiversityweek.com