Navigate Neurodiversity Occupational Therapy

21/10/2026

“You should just rely on your future husbands income [instead of training to be an OT]” - occupational health doctor

“I just don’t think you’ll be able to build rapport with clients” - placement educator

“You need to prove you can work without reasonable adjustments or you’ll fail placement” - placement educator

These are just a few of the sentiments shared with me on my journey to become an OT…

So I’m incredibly proud to share that not only did I become one, set up my own practice, but I’m now an award winner!

Goodness me! Where do I begin… 🥳
I only went and won my first award at the Dimensions autism and learning disability leaders awards, in the achievement in work and education category.

It was a really lovely, uplifting event! And I got to meet lots of wonderful people and celebrate together. Community is vital, so it was so wonderful to have so many members of our community together! My heart is full. 💛

A HUGE thank you to all my lovely clients, social group attendees, friends, family and Buddy 🐾- I couldn’t have done it without you all. And of course thank you Dimensions, you put on a lovely day!!! 💛✨

Here is what I said on acceptance:

“I’m so proud to be here today, amongst so many wonderful people.

I’m incredibly grateful for my loved ones, who have always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.

It hasn’t been an easy road to get here, and I very nearly didn’t make it because of the ableism I experienced. And unfortunately ableism is still rife in both work and education settings. Being here today and celebrating with all of you feels like an act of rebellion against those who discriminate against us.

I’m so glad to be in a position where I can share my lived experience and support my community through occupational therapy. Lived-experience is an asset in all roles, and we must keep taking up space in the world, a world which isn’t designed with us in mind. “

With immense gratitude,
Alex
💛

12/10/2026

Upcoming Event: Ask the Experts – All About Hypermobility & Neurodivergence! 🧠🧬✨

​Did you know there is a strong overlap between symptomatic hypermobility and neurodivergent traits like Autism and ADHD?

From sensory processing differences and autonomic dysregulation to proprioception and fatigue, the connection between connective tissue and the nervous system is fascinating and complex.

Whether you are neurodivergent yourself, supporting a loved one, undiagnosed and suspecting neurodivergence, this webinar is designed to offer clear, validating, and actionable insights.

For this session Jo will be joined by Alexandra Lawrence - she is an occupational therapist specialising in neurodivergence. [But all questions across a range of topics are welcome :)]

Jo and Alex will be online sharing their both professional and lived experience-informed expertise.

​🗓️ Date & Time: 15th at 19:00 -20:00 (BST)

📍 Where: Online via Zoom

🎟️ Tickets: Free for all!

​💬 What question do you have about hypermobility and neurodivergence? Drop it in the comments below! 👇

​🔗 Reserve your spot here: hypermobility.org/event-details/ask-the-experts-all-about-hypermobility-and-neurodivergence (or tap the link in our bio on insta!)

​- TeamHMSA [A LOT of us are neurodivergent too ;) ]

24/09/2026

Did you know that I made a short free taster webinar a few months ago? 😆

I launched it on the down-low at the bottom of my newsletter/blog (I’m not the most vocal when it comes to announcing things haha)

This webinar was my first ever attempt at recording one so it will always be free as a small token to you, and a great way to get used to doing them for me.

Soon my 1st proper webinar will be ready to share and it’s even more exciting than this taster one!

If you haven’t already accessed it you can join my newsletter (link in comments) for the code to make it free!

On Demand webinars

01/09/2026

We're not just clumsy, but...
These are a few things that might help if you are clumsy (like me!)
Every dyspraxic person is different but these are a few ideas rthat may be helpful. They can also be helpful for other people who also have proprioception challenges eg some Hypermobile folk!
*not medical advice or therapy


Alt: micro habits macro changes. Dyspraxia edition. Using wide based mugs
More surface area makes it easier to prevent knocking it over or wobbles. Use grip toggles on things you often drop eg toothbrushes, cutlery. Choose Velcro or elasticated fastenings on clothes ans shoes so you don't need to grip small buttons or zips. Use weight!
It gives your muscles and joints clearer signals about where they are and how much force you're using, which can make movements feel steadier and easier to plan.
Eg wrist weights or weighted cutlery

14/08/2026

Hi all I will be out of office from today at 4:30- Tuesday 1st September.

I plan to spend lots of time with buddy the greyhound who absolutely loves attention so he’s about to have a great 2 weeks 😆

I’ll look forward to seeing you when I return ✨

27/07/2026

New blog post!

A bit of a vulnerable reflection from me, brining together OT, lived experience and anthropology…

Let me know if you can relate!

https://alexnavneuroot.substack.com/p/my-choice-to-use-the-aid-is-independence

Why ambulatory wheelchair use & mobility aids aren't “giving up”

08/07/2026

* And here’s how you know it wasn’t written by ai, I’ve now noticed a big typo haha
The last bullet point on reasons why people come to see me should be “because they want an OT that gets it both personally and professionally” -how apt!🫶🏻😆

well overdue a re-introduction! My last one was 3 years go! Time has gone so fast 🫣

So hi! I’m Alex

Im a multiply neurodivergent & chronically ill Occupational Therapist

Some of the reasons people come to see me are:

To finally make sense of why so many things that seem easy for others feel so much harder for them
To get to the bottom of their energy, why it runs out so fast, and how to work with it rather than against it
To understand their sensory profile on a deeper level and get real, practical strategies to regulate their nervous system
To learn to recognise what their body needs before they’re already past their limit
Because previous support felt generic, patronising, or like it was designed for someone else entirely
Because they want an OT who gets it not personally & professionally
(And loads of other reasons!)

What other things I do:

Access-to-work coaching
Sensory and accessibility consulting for businesses & tech companies & researchers
Run a social group for adults
Webinars
Consulting for individuals on Access-to-Work and PIP forms
& more!

My current hobbies are:

art and craft
plushies
animal crossing & tomodachi life
antiques
nature
dogs (I have a rescue greyhound)
vintage dressing
makeup
boardgames
bedazzling
colouring
shopping vlogs
sound baths
nice coffee
poetry

Thank you for continuing to support me & my little OT practice 💛💛💛💛

😁Let me know what you’d love to see from me on social media or as part of my OT work?

Image description: Alex is a brown haired woman with a fringe. She sits facing the camera. She wears a black shirt and red square glasses. She smiles and has two layered necklaces on. Around her photo are different icons connected with her hobbies. Dog paws, lipstick, Nintendo switch, teddies, buttons,wheelchair and a dog. The page has a purple border and has black text on a white background.

26/06/2026

I struggled with this for years!

Why you never see your meltdowns coming...

For so many years I just couldn't understand why my meltdowns seemingly came out of nowhere.

Turns out they didn't, I just didn't know how my interception worked and why I found it so hard.

💛Share this with someone who needs to know why this is so tricky

Hi im Alex (she/her)
A multiply Neurodivergent, Chronically Ill & in pain Occupational Therapist
I support adults with thing: they want to & need to do

Follow along for tips, reflections, relatableness

& a friendly face who "gets it"

(and a cute greyhound)

*this is my lived experience. All autistic people are different and have different experiences. This experience is a common one, but there can be other reasons for this challenge. No two autistic folk are the same. This is not medical advice



Alt text: Why you never see your autistic meltdowns
coming
Does it feel like you go from fine to overloaded in seconds?
For many autistic adults, there is no warning or build up. Just straight from ok to meltdown.
This isn't a lack of effort in noticing; it's an
interception difference
Interoception is our 8th sense
It's the brain's ability to read internal signals.
For lots of autistic folk we don't get pick up on warning signs and only realise something is wrong when we feel like exploding
If you discovered you were autistic later in life then the likelihood is that you've been masking your emotions to fit in.
Maybe you were even told your emotional responses were "too much" or "wrong" in some way, growing up.
So it's no wonder you can't "fust feel" the build up to a meltdown
It's understandable that you find this tricky, I did for years too!

23/06/2026

What if I told you a wheelchair helps me do more… not less?

I’ve had many discussions with fellow healthcare professionals about my own use of a wheelchair and that of our clients.

Ambulatory wheelchair use is absolutely valid, and wheelchairs are an incredibly helpful tool that we should never feel ashamed of using.

A wheelchair has enriched my life; I can actually do more with the wheelchair than I could without.

Alt text;
Photo is of Alex a brown haired woman sat side on in a manual wheelchair. She wears a purple hoodie with black raincoat on top and smiles. She’s sat in front of a green space with a small river and big cliff face.

Text on photos reads:

Many OTs and other healthcare professionals disagree with my views on wheelchairs

They think that using a wheelchair deconditions clients and we should advise against them for people who can walk

But I disagree

without a wheelchair im so exhausted and in so much pain that I can rarely leave the house & this makes my mental health plummet

with a wheelchair I can leave the house more, get into nature, and do more of the things i want to and need to do
without a huge crash or flare up!

Why should we deny people the chance to enjoy life??

As long as i still do my physio, walk a little & use the wheelchair to enable me to do more without crashes/flares. It will not make me more unwell. It will make me feel happier and improve my wellbeing

Hi im Alex (she/her)
A multiply Neurodivergent, Chronically Ill & in pain Occupational Therapist
I support adults with thing hey want to & need to do.
Follow along for tips, reflections, relatablenss
& a friendly face who
"gets it"
(and a cute greyhound)




Disclaimer: this is my lived-experience not medical advice. Entertainment purposes only

22/05/2026

Unmasking doesn't come with a guidebook.
Unmasking isn't as simple as just "switching off" the mask we need to feel SAFE. If we don't feel safe, then intentionally unmasking can be really difficult and horrible for many of us. For me, the most important first step was to think of ways I could unmask in a safe space.
Feeling safe is key! But it's important to remember that for a lot of minority communities that's even harder.

*Eveyone is different this is just my lived experience and what works for one person will not nessisarily work for another. For general education- Not advice.





Alt: Unmasking isn't as straightforward as
"switching off" the mask.

We need to feel SAFE

If we don't feel safe then often unmasking is either not possible or a horrible experience

For me the most important first step was to think about ways I could unmask that that would feel safe and sustainable for me

So I thought about 1 small thing I'd stopped doing because I'd been
socialised to think it was childish so I couldn't enjoy it anymore as an adult
So I took a tiny step towards reigniting that. This was vital because it was a low stakes approach that allowed me to rekindle parts of myself
I'd hidden
But unmasking must be on your terms