MULTI DISCIPLINARY PROFESSIONAL NETWORK
For everyone working in identification and support of neurodivergent individuals
The aim of this network is to be for all professionals working in identification and support of neurodivergent individuals, with a main focus on autism. It is to bring together lived experience, clinical work and research, so that all the amazing work happening nationally (and hopefully internationally) can be shared and implemented.
Run by
Who can be part of the network?
Attendance is open to all clinicians, researchers and those with lived experience. Fees will be charged per event.
Events schedule
Events will be held three times annually and will be held virtually.
There may be other events which are promoted across the network which are in-person events.
What if I can’t attend on the day?
Virtual events will be recorded, and recordings will be available post-event for 90 days. A link to the video and any accompanying resources will be emailed to everyone who has purchased a ticket. This means even if you cannot attend on the day, you will be able to watch the event at a time that works for you.
Contact & Mailing List
For queries: mdprofessionalnetwork@gmail.com
Sign up to the mailing list and share job opportunities, courses, events, research papers, books, and ask queries. To join email: mdprofessionalnetwork@gmail.com
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Autism & ADHD
Thursday 29th January 2026
Event details
Location: Virtual (via Zoom)
Time: 12.30-16.30pm
Ticket price: £20.00
The event will be recorded and available for 90 days to view for all those that purchase a ticket.
Guest Speakers & Talk titles:
- Dr Khurram Sadiq Consultant Psychiatrist
- Dr Floriana Reinikis, Consultant Clinical Psychologist
- Alice Cantwell, Specialist SLT and Neurodevelopmental Assessor
- Karen Cowan, Neurodevelopmental Consultant, Assessor, Mentor and Specialist Teacher
Talking Point
AuDHD from professional and personal perspectives, considering assessment and support across the lifespan.
Writing ADOS-2 Reports
Friday 27th February, Thursday 5th March & Thursday 12th March
Event details
Online training run by Lucy Sanctuary & Ruth Fine
Location: Virtual (via Zoom)
Time: 9am-12.30pm
Ticket price:
1 event £75.00
2 events £140.00
3 events £200.00
The events will be recorded and available for 90 days to view for all those that purchase a ticket.
Friday 27th February
Covering:
- Types of reports
- Report structure
- Joint report writing
- Managing constraints on report writing
Thursday 5th March
Covering:
- Language used in reports
- Phrasing assessment findings
- Considering different audiences
- Medical terms vs neuro-affirming terms
Thursday 12th March
Covering Recommendations:
- How many?
- Who for?
- Generic vs bespoke
- Writing collaboratively
International Developments in Research & Clinical Practice in Autism
Face-to-Face Conference
Monday 7th September 2026
Event details
Location: Coram Campus, 41 Brunswick Square London WC1N 1AZ
Ticket price:
In person: £250.00
Live Streaming: £180.00
Recorded: £150.00
Guest Speakers & Talk titles:
- Dr Somer Bishop, Professor Department of Psychiatry & Behaviour Sciences University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Dr Bishop will be talking about the history and development of the ADOS, from its initial introduction to the upcoming ADOS-3.
- Dr Petrus de Vries, Sue Struengmann Professor of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Cape Town. Dr de Vries will be talking about the reality of development in autism research and clinical practice in South Africa, including interventions for low-resource contexts.
- Dr Laura Hull (Research Fellow University of Bristol) & Dr Will Mandy (Professor of Neurodevelopmental Conditions University College London). Dr Hull & Dr Mandy will be talking about their research findings in assessing autism in women.
- Dr Stephen Kanne (Professor of Psychology at the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment and serves as the Director of Special Projects) & Dr Kourtney Nigh (Clinical researcher at the University of Kansas’s Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART) & Life Span Institute). Dr Kanne & Dr Nigh will be talking about evidence based practice and provision in America.
- Dr Marion Rutherford Senior Research Fellow co-lead of the National Autism Implementation Team Research Programme in the Speech and Hearing Sciences Division and a full member of the Clinical Audiology, Speech and Language Research Centre, Queen Margaret University Edinburgh. Dr Rutherford will be talking about the neuro-affirming community of practice in Scotland.
Testimonials
Objectives
1.
To focus on service pathways for children, young people and adults. For example, identifying autism and other neurodivergence, including assessment, differential diagnosis and co-occurrence, as well as post-diagnostic support and intervention/support.
2.
To exchange ideas and information on practice in order to bridge lived experience with clinical work and research.
3.
To provide mutual support, help and encouragement to all members.
4.
To discuss policies and guidelines with regards to assessment and differential diagnosis in neurodivergent children, young people and adults.
5.
To improve multi-disciplinary working.
6.
To promote and participate in projects.
7.
To raise awareness of all aspects of neurodivergence, and the fact that co-occurrence is the norm, using an intersectional lens
8.
To liaise with colleagues on a national level – to jointly develop and drive initiatives based on evidence-based practice