{"id":19537,"date":"2025-03-31T19:50:54","date_gmt":"2025-03-31T18:50:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/atypmagazin.cz\/?p=19537"},"modified":"2025-03-31T19:52:30","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T18:52:30","slug":"the-british-police-are-not-afraid-of-neurodiversity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/atypmagazin.cz\/en\/the-british-police-are-not-afraid-of-neurodiversity\/","title":{"rendered":"The British Police Are Not Afraid of Neurodiversity"},"content":{"rendered":"

The global initiative <\/span>Neurodiversity Celebration Week<\/b> took place from 17 to 23 March. On professional networks, international companies, coaches, and HR managers shared positive experiences of employing neurodivergent people. According to research, at least 15% of the population is neurodivergent. Among thousands of posts, we were particularly struck by the work of the <\/span>Metropolitan Police Service<\/b>, which openly shared the stories and needs of its neurodivergent employees throughout the week.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

What Is Neurodiversity Celebration Week?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is an international initiative aiming to challenge stereotypes about neurological differences and celebrate the diversity of human thinking. It was founded in 2018 by <\/span>Siena Castellon<\/b>, an autistic student with dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD, who faced significant prejudice in the education system. Her goal was to shift the focus from \u201clearning difficulties\u201d to the talents and strengths of neurodivergent individuals.<\/span><\/p>\n

During the week, organisations, schools, and companies host webinars, discussions, and workshops where neurodivergent people share their lived experiences and inspire others.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"A Police Force That Listens to Neurodivergent Voices<\/b><\/h2>\n

One of the standout figures of this year\u2019s celebration was <\/span>Teresa Nicholas<\/b><\/a>, H&S\/Accommodation Manager at the Metropolitan Police Service and Co-Chair of the <\/span>MPS Autism Support Group<\/b>.<\/span>
\n<\/span> Each day, she shared reflections on LinkedIn from the webinars she helped organise for <\/span>Scotland Yard<\/b>, featuring neurodivergent speakers from within the police force and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n

On Day 4, for instance, a police officer named <\/span>Thaya<\/b> spoke openly about being diagnosed in adulthood with <\/span>autism, ADHD, OCD and PTSD<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHis parents were advised to seek support when he was a child, but due to language and cultural barriers, they didn\u2019t understand. As is often the case for adults, the diagnosis came during a time of crisis\u2014after years of confusion, there was finally an explanation for what had shaped his life. Today, he is in a better place and wants to support others on similar journeys,\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/span> wrote Teresa Nicholas, who has long been involved in organising annual neurodiversity events at New Scotland Yard.<\/span><\/p>\n

Day 1: Open Space for Questions and Sharing<\/b><\/h2>\n

The week kicked off with an informal event at <\/span>New Scotland Yard<\/b>, where attendees could drop in and chat with representatives from organisations such as the <\/span>National Police Autism Association<\/b>, <\/span>ADHD Alliance<\/b>, <\/span>PDA Society<\/b>, and various MPS support groups focused on autism, dyslexia, and dyspraxia. Also present were representatives from the <\/span>Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)<\/b>, an ADHD work coach, <\/span>Westminster College<\/b>, and <\/span>Training2CARE<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Day 2: Emotion, Grief and Inspiration<\/b><\/h2>\n

Day two featured three webinars. The first, led by <\/span>Sean Kennedy<\/b> and <\/span>Mandy Aulak<\/b>, offered a practical guide to the <\/span>Specialist Victim Pathway (SVP)<\/b>.<\/span>
\n<\/span> The second addressed autism and grief. Teresa shared her own experience as the parent of an autistic daughter who had recently lost close family members. Two of her colleagues\u2014both autistic\u2014spoke about their own experiences of loss and how they coped.<\/span><\/p>\n

The third webinar was led by police officer <\/span>Sarah Johnson<\/b>, who spoke openly about her struggles with dyslexia, her later ADHD diagnosis, and how she built her career in the police. The day ended with <\/span>Dominic Bolas<\/b>, who introduced a new initiative called <\/span>Ark<\/b>\u2014a comprehensive support framework for neurodivergent officers within the Met.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe aim to bring together all the brilliant work already happening across the organisation and create consistent support from day one until the day someone leaves,\u201d Bolas explained.<\/span><\/p>\n

Day 3: Tourette\u2019s, Stigma and the \u201cSuperpower\u201d Narrative<\/b><\/h2>\n

The third day focused on <\/span>Tourette\u2019s Syndrome (TS)<\/b>. <\/span>Lucy Toghill<\/b> from <\/span>Tourettes Action<\/b> offered practical insights into living with TS, including a parent\u2019s perspective.<\/span>
\n<\/span> Later, <\/span>Daley Jones<\/b> from <\/span>ADHD Alliance<\/b> spoke about stigmatising language and the findings of a survey among Met staff.<\/span><\/p>\n

The final session, titled <\/span>The Superpower Divide<\/b>, was led by <\/span>James<\/b> and <\/span>Fawziyah<\/b> from <\/span>AtkinsR\u00e9alis<\/b>. They discussed the dangers of portraying neurodivergence solely as a \u201csuperpower.\u201d While traits like creativity and hyperfocus can be strengths, they often coexist with anxiety, exhaustion, and self-doubt.<\/span><\/p>\n

Day 4: Neurodivergent Leadership in Policing<\/b><\/h2>\n

This day focused on leadership and career progression for neurodivergent individuals in the police force. Teresa Nicholas and <\/span>James Bird<\/b> from <\/span>West Midlands Police<\/b> shared practical strategies for supporting neurodivergent colleagues in leadership roles.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Day 5: Celebrating Across Institutions<\/b><\/h2>\n

The final event took place at <\/span>the University of Derby<\/b>, hosted by police and fire services from <\/span>Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire<\/b>. Neurodivergent officers living with ADHD, OCD, autism and dyslexia shared their personal stories. <\/span>James Dean<\/b> presented research on how neurodivergent perspectives can improve investigative processes. There were also discussions about neurodivergence within the prison system, and participants experienced the <\/span>Autism Reality Experience<\/b> by <\/span>Training2CARE<\/b>, which simulates sensory and communication challenges often faced by autistic people.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a fantastic day full of conversations, insights and a true celebration of neurodiversity,\u201d wrote Teresa Nicholas.<\/span><\/p>\n

More Than a Celebration\u2014A Call for Support<\/b><\/h3>\n

Neurodiversity Celebration Week<\/b> is not just about celebrating difference\u2014it\u2019s about acceptance, support, and changing environments so that neurodivergent individuals can truly thrive.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen our thoughts race, who helps us make sense of them?\u201d asks <\/span>Stephanie P\u00e9rez<\/b>, a student of Health and Social Care Management, on LinkedIn. \u201cWhen I was diagnosed with dyslexia, therapeutic support grounded me\u2014it was invaluable. Seeking help is not a weakness. It\u2019s how we embrace who we are and unlock our potential. Let\u2019s continue celebrating our differences, lean into our strengths, and build spaces where everyone can flourish.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Can You Imagine Something Like This Happening in the Czech Police?<\/b><\/h2>\n

We can\u2014but the reality is different for now.<\/span>
\n<\/span> In the second issue of the printed <\/span>ATYP Special 2<\/b><\/a>, we published an interview with a former Czech police officer who was dismissed after years of service, simply because he received a diagnosis of <\/span>Asperger\u2019s syndrome<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span>That\u2019s why it\u2019s so valuable to see what\u2019s possible elsewhere\u2014and to keep working towards environments that include and empower everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n

__________<\/p>\n

text Dagmar Edith Hola \/ photos – screen from Linkedin Teresa Nicholas, H&S\/Accommodation Manager at <\/a>Metropolitan Police<\/a><\/p>\n

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