Neurodiversity support for schools
Supporting education professionals to understand and include neurodivergent pupils, with a particular focus on ADHD and autism in girls.
Female ADHD & autism in schools
Recognising masking and hidden needs
This CPD training supports education professionals to better understand female presentations of ADHD and autism, with a particular focus on masking and camouflaging behaviours. It is designed to help staff recognise hidden needs, reflect on practice and apply inclusive strategies that support wellbeing and learning.
Hidden needs, visible consequences
Autistic and ADHD girls are frequently overlooked or identified late in school settings. Many learn to mask their differences through compliance, perfectionism or social imitation, which can make needs less visible while increasing anxiety, exhaustion and emotional distress.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this CPD session, participants will:
Understand how ADHD and autism often present differently in girls and young people
Recognise masking and camouflaging behaviours in classroom and school contexts
Understand the emotional and wellbeing impact of sustained masking
Reflect on school systems and expectations that may unintentionally increase pressure
Develop confidence in applying inclusive strategies that support participation and regulation
Understand staff and SENCO boundaries, including non-diagnostic and safeguarding considerations
What the training covers
Small, practical adjustments that support inclusion without lowering expectations
Understanding female presentations
Why autistic and ADHD girls are frequently missed or misunderstood
Gendered expectations
Why autistic and ADHD girls are frequently missed or misunderstood
Masking behaviours
What it looks like, why it happens and its longer-term impact
Wellbeing connections
Links between masking, anxiety, burnout and school refusal
Classroom practice
Participation, cognitive load and practical adjustments
Working with families
Respectful, appropriate and safe partnership approaches
Format & delivery
The session is interactive and reflective while remaining psychologically safe and appropriate for school settings.
Flexible CPD delivery: This training is most commonly delivered on a date and time agreed directly with your school, allowing whole teams to attend within existing INSET days, twilight sessions or staff meetings.
Flexible duration
3-hour session or two 90-minute sessions delivered over two weeks
Delivery options
Live online or face-to-face at your school
Group size
Minimum 5 attendees for interactive learning
CPD certificate
Certificate of completion provided to all participants
Investment
Flexible pricing to suit your school's needs
Online CPD
3 hours
Face-to-face CPD
3 hours
Who this training is for
Suitable for both primary and secondary settings
Important Note on Scope: This training is CPD-focused and non-diagnostic. It supports professional understanding and inclusive educational practice and does not replace assessment, clinical diagnosis or therapeutic intervention.
Curriculum & learning partners
This workshop has been designed and is delivered by NeuroSpecial’s learning team, combining professional expertise, lived experience, and evidence-based best practice.
The curriculum was created by:
Edina Da'silva
Co-Creator & Lead Facilitator
- Level 3 Understanding Autism
- Level 3 ADHD Coaching
- Postgraduate Certificate in Executive Coaching
- Level 5 Associate Diploma in Learning and Development
- Level 5 Children’s Learning, Care and Development
Dani Mash
Co-Creator & Facilitator
- Secondary School Teacher
- Master of Education (MEd)
- Initial Teacher Training Mentor (ITT)
- Parent Governor - Primary School
Open CPD sessions
We run occasional Female ADHD & Autism (open CPD) sessions for individual bookings where whole-school delivery is not possible.
Places are limited to ensure a safe, interactive learning environment. CPD certificates provided.
The session includes short breaks and varied activities to support focus and wellbeing.
Can’t attend on these dates?
This training is most commonly delivered on a date and time agreed directly with your school. Enquire to arrange school-based delivery.
Book
Complete the enquiry form below to discuss your school’s needs and preferred dates.
Confirm
We confirm delivery format, numbers and practical details.
Deliver
Training is delivered live to your staff.
Certificate
CPD certificates are provided for all attendees.
Neurodiversity support for schools
Schools are supporting an increasing number of neurodivergent pupils — often within systems that were not designed with neurodiversity in mind.
This can place significant pressure on staff, SENCOs and leadership teams, and can lead to pupils being misunderstood, excluded or identified late.
What we help with
Our neurodiversity consultancy supports schools to develop whole-school, inclusive approaches that work in real-world school contexts.
Reviewing school systems through a neurodiversity lens
Looking at how policies, routines, environments and expectations impact neurodivergent pupils, and identifying practical adjustments that can reduce distress and disengagement.
Strengthening relationships with families
Supporting schools to improve communication and partnership with parents and carers, particularly where relationships have become strained or complex.
Understanding neurodivergent need in your setting
Supporting schools to make sense of ADHD, autism and overlapping needs — including pupils who mask, present differently, or fall below diagnostic thresholds.
Strategic support for SENCOs and leadership teams
Helping leaders identify pressure points, prioritise actions, and develop realistic, sustainable approaches to inclusion that align with safeguarding, wellbeing and attainment.
Supporting pupils without a diagnosis
Advising on inclusive practice that does not rely solely on labels, reducing delays in support and unnecessary escalation.
Our approach
We work collaboratively with schools, respecting existing expertise and constraints.
