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A collaboration to advance
understanding of neurodevelopment & neurodiversity

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Neurodevelopmental 


Neurodevelopmental conditions -  like Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Intellectual Disabilities -  are overlapping, but they are usually researched and managed separately by clinicians. 

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Neurodiversity

Neurodevelopmental conditions can be conceptualised as 'neurodiversity', which aims to appreciate the strengths associated with these conditions and focus on the contributions of neurodivergent people to research and wider society.

Giving a Lecture

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We are an  interdisciplinary group - of university researchers, clinicians, neurodivergent people, and third sector organisations - working together towards a step-change in understanding and improving the lives of neurodivergent people.

The 'Central Hub'

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Punit

Shah

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Christopher Jarrold

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Lucy Livingston

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Ginny

Russell

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Emily

Taylor

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Elisabeth Von Dem Hagen

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Catherine Jones

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Sue

Leekam

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Esther Walton

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Doretta Caramaschi

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Kate

Langley

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Elinor

Jones

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Home: Video

Media

The Salvesen Lecture 2021, Dr Punit Shah
45:58
Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre

The Salvesen Lecture 2021, Dr Punit Shah

In this, our third annual Salvesen Lecture Dr Punit Shah of the University of Bath will ask "Are similarities just as important as differences in neurodiversity research?", drawing on a body of work with autistic adults. Dr Shah says: "The neurodiversity paradigm is an important and powerful mechanism to rethink ‘difficulties’ in neurodevelopmental conditions, like autism and ADHD, towards understanding and celebrating strengths among neurodivergent people. This approach, however, remains focussed on differences instead of similarities between “neurodivergent” and “neurotypical” thinkers. Drawing on examples of my research on autism in adulthood – much of which was co-produced with neurodivergent people within the GW4 Neurodevelopmental Neurodiversity Network – I report several findings of small and non-significant associations with autism. In view of these results, and ever-growing discussions about neurodiversity in (non)academic contexts, I propose that understanding and celebrating similarities between “neurodivergent” and “neurotypical” people may be just as important as finding differences. I speculate that this process might be useful in improving cohesion between different groups in society, in context of neurodivergence and beyond. To this end, I will reflect on i) improving statistical methods, ii) encouraging academic journals to prioritise null findings, iii) enhancing media promotion, and particularly iv) co-production, as important routes to advancing the neurodiversity agenda."
Minerva - What is Neurodiversity, Really? Q&A session
01:25:23
University of Bath

Minerva - What is Neurodiversity, Really? Q&A session

Neurodevelopmental conditions, such as ADHD, Autism, and Dyslexia, are some of the most costly conditions in the UK and US and have significant impacts on many people’s lives. There is a lot of overlap between these conditions, but they are usually researched and managed separately by clinicians. Neurodevelopmental conditions can also be conceptualised as 'neurodiversity', which aims to appreciate the strengths of ‘neurodivergent’ people – such as Richard Branson and Greta Thunberg – who have made some amazing contributions to our society in recent times. However, this can lead to tension; whilst there are many highly successful neurodivergent people, there are also parents of children who have severe neurodevelopmental issues who require support. The idea of ‘neurodiversity’ is poorly understood and is often used as a buzzword among academic and commercial organisations who increasingly use it without awareness of up-to-date scientific research on neurodevelopmental conditions and neurodiversity. Dr Punit Shah, Senior Lecturer in Psychology and an expert on neurodevelopmental conditions in adulthood, discusses his work on mental processing in neurodevelopmental conditions. Drawing on a growing collaboration of leading researchers in the South West’s GW4 Universities (Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, & Exeter) and the GW4 Neurodevelopmental Neurodiversity Network, he discusses the promise and pitfalls of the neurodiversity paradigm, working with the audience to consider ways in which it may inform their work in and outside of academic settings.
Minerva - What is Neurodiversity, Really?
01:00:35
University of Bath

Minerva - What is Neurodiversity, Really?

Neurodevelopmental conditions, such as ADHD, Autism, and Dyslexia, are some of the most costly conditions in the UK and US and have significant impacts on many people’s lives. There is a lot of overlap between these conditions, but they are usually researched and managed separately by clinicians. Neurodevelopmental conditions can also be conceptualised as 'neurodiversity', which aims to appreciate the strengths of ‘neurodivergent’ people – such as Richard Branson and Greta Thunberg – who have made some amazing contributions to our society in recent times. However, this can lead to tension; whilst there are many highly successful neurodivergent people, there are also parents of children who have severe neurodevelopmental issues who require support. The idea of ‘neurodiversity’ is poorly understood and is often used as a buzzword among academic and commercial organisations who increasingly use it without awareness of up-to-date scientific research on neurodevelopmental conditions and neurodiversity. Dr Punit Shah, Senior Lecturer in Psychology and an expert on neurodevelopmental conditions in adulthood, discusses his work on mental processing in neurodevelopmental conditions. Drawing on a growing collaboration of leading researchers in the South West’s GW4 Universities (Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, & Exeter) and the GW4 Neurodevelopmental Neurodiversity Network, he discusses the promise and pitfalls of the neurodiversity paradigm, working with the audience to consider ways in which it may inform their work in and outside of academic settings.
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