Growth Through Adversity Talks - Amanda Kirby

For Neurodiversity Pride Day 2020, we invited 8 experts, to share their wisdom with us. You can find all interviews on neurodiversiteit.nl and on the free courses of the Neuro Education Academy at https://neurodiversityeducationacademy.org/ About Amanda Professor Amanda Kirby is a qualified GP but changed career when her 2nd child was diagnosed with Dyspraxia at 3 years of age. Her experience and frustrations ( at times) as a parent finding her way round the health and educational system led to her consequently starting up an interdisciplinary specialist centre for parents and children ( later on adults) more than 25 years ago in order to be able to provide practical support.Her family is very neurodivergent and this has provided her with a unique understanding, insight and a passion to raise awareness and champion best practices. She is an emeritus professor at the University of South Wales. She has lectured to more than 100,000 individuals worldwide, written over 100 research papers and become internationally recognized in the field of neurodiversity as both a clinician and researcher. Over the years she has written 9 books for children, parents, the health and educational professionals and for those in the workplace and have been translated into different languages. She has delivered consultancy, tools and training to organisations including South Wales Police, Admiral, RAF, JP Morgan and for DWP and MOJ. Her research has always lead to ways to provide practical solutions that make real changes for families and clinicians. Her PhD ( after she became a professor) was relating to to the changes that go on in adolescence in emerging adulthood and she developed screening tools which are now used internationally. Amanda has been on government advisory boards (e.g. Hidden Impairment National Group) as well as advising UK and international charities in the field of neurodiversity. This includes being a patron of the Dyspraxia Association in New Zealand, Chair of Movement Matters UK and works with great UK charities including the Dyspraxia Foundation, British Dyslexia Association, North East Autism Society and the ADHD Foundation. She acts as a clinical advisor to the Witherslack group. Ten years ago she realized to reach and support more people effectively she needed to develop web based solutions with her colleague and psychologist, Dr Ian Smythe. Too many children and adults needs were missed, or being misunderstood and this was potentially costing thems and society a lot of money Amanda is currently the CEO of Do-IT Solutions, a tech-for-good company and has developed unique person-centered computer profiling tools and apps to support neurodiverse children and adults in a range of contexts including education, prisons, and employment settings used nationally and internationally. Do-IT is a Disability Confident Leader and was the first to gain this status in Wales. Her passion to make changes in society and increase the chances of showcasing talents in neurodiverse children and adults into and in work remains as strong as it was 30 years ago.

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