Meet our experts
We work with leading experts drawn from across the fields of neurodiversity, psychology, and mental health on webinars, events and podcasts. They join us to share their profound knowledge and practical advice on key topics around ADHD, autism, and broader mental well-being strategies. Their contributions ensure you receive a comprehensive, high-quality perspective grounded in current research and real-world experience, empowering you with trusted insights on navigating and supporting neurodivergent lives.
Tony Lloyd
Consultant, Trainer, Psychologist & Neurodiversity Specialist
Dr. Tony Lloyd is an internationally renowned speaker, consultant, and campaigner, celebrated for his pioneering advocacy of the neurodiverse paradigm across health, education, and business. A recipient of the National Diversity Lifetime Achievement Award 2023 and other major accolades, Dr. Lloyd is a leading voice in the field.
He is widely known as the former CEO of the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity (2011–2024), where he played a key role in supporting voluntary groups and promoting financial sustainability. Dr. Lloyd regularly consults with key Government agencies (including NHS England and the Home Office) and major global businesses like IBM, EY, and Aston Martin Formula 1. He is a respected author and media commentator, frequently appearing on television and at international conferences to share his vital expertise.
Learn more from Tony in his webinar, Supporting Children With SEN: Managing Anxiety Together.
Colin Foley
CEO of Neurodiversity Training UK
Neurodiversity Training UK aims to provide practical, engaging and evidence-based training opportunities for professionals on supporting neurodivergent children and young people in education or colleagues in the workplace. Before this, Colin had a successful twenty-five-year teaching career, including ten years in school leadership and led the Training team at the ADHD Foundation for ten years to be become the largest provider of training for professionals on ADHD in the UK. Our training sessions are rooted in taking a strength-based approach to neurodiversity- understanding the conditions, how they can overlap, the impact of neurodiversity on people’s lived experience as well as empowering educators, employers, line managers, service providers, families and neurodiverse people with evidence based strategies for living well and being successful in education and in the workplace.
Watch Colin's webinar below to learn more about ADHD and masking.
Anne-Marie Harrison
Education and Training Director, Ideas Afresh
Anne-Marie has extensive experience across the SEND sector. After early experience in child development and education she had a 15-year career training multi-disciplinary teams in supporting autistic children and their families, at the National Autistic Society (NAS). She contributed to NAS programme development, is acknowledged in Plan A for Autism (Dr Caroline Smith) and has delivered lectures at university. Her book ‘Babies Are Noisy’ was published in 2013 while her professional reflections have been published in sector journals.
Her professional experience and personal neurodiverse journey have empowered her in developing a thriving training and support business; Ideas Afresh (education) ltd, that offers personalised and bespoke CPD accredited courses for both families and professionals. Her expertise reaches across all sectors and facilitates a rewarding opportunity to fully value the contribution; and share the journey of neurodiversity in today’s communities. She travels internationally to deliver speeches and training, experiencing neurodiverse practices in different cultures.
Learn more from Anne-Marie as she presents, The Link Between ADHD And Anxiety.
Stephanie Batey
Social Entrepreneur, Neurodiversity Consultant, Author, Speaker
From Teaching Assistant, to English teacher, to educational leader, to entrepreneur: Steph has had a varied career supporting all manner of learners. She now delivers ADHD and neurodiversity training globally and publishes books that amplify underrepresented voices - including the upcoming book ADHDher: The Truth That Took Too Long and with plans for a digital magazine for neurodiverse children. She is also the founder of multiple ventures driving education and impact, including The Inclusive Teacher Co which offers practical and accessible neurodiversity-friendly resources for parents, educators and children. She is passionate about empowering educators to reach every learner with confidence so that learning works for every mind. Her work bridges education, entrepreneurship and inclusion - empowering others to see difference as strength and to create change that lasts.
Are you interested in learning more about ADHD inclusive classrooms? Watch Steph's webinar below.
Colette Longden
National Training Director from Blueprint Learning
Colette is a Trainer at Blueprint Learning, delivering education and parent/carer support by combining personal insight with professional experience. With lived experience of ADHD, alongside her background as a SEND teacher, curriculum lead, and mentor, she brings authentic and practical perspectives to training initiatives that support children and young people. She is also a passionate advocate for children, parents, and carers who face challenges in accessing education.
Helen Rutherford
Helen Rutherford, Specialist Sleep Practitioner, The Sleep Charity
Helen Rutherford has been a Specialist Sleep Practitioner since 2016. Her professional practice has focused on working with children who have additional needs. Her experience now extends into a fourth decade. She has a breadth of experience including management and leadership roles. These have included time as a Portage service manager (a home visiting educational service for preschool children with special educational needs and disability) and Family Liaison Officer on the staff of a special educational needs school in Worcestershire.
She led on the NHS England funded, national award-winning project "Sleep Support for Children with Autism" and on the BBC Children in Need funded "Sleep Support for Children with ADHD". Helen has a flexible and adaptable set of skills that can have her sharing her expertise with health, educational and social care professionals in one part of the working week and then devoting her time to parents, carers, children and young people in the other.
Watch Helen's webinar, Sleep & Neurodiversity: The Importance Of Routine.