Supporting Dysregulated Neurodivergent Individuals

In this episode, Clare talks to Dr Anne Emerson, resident counsellor at the Lilya Lighthouse Educational Trust, about supporting neurodivergent individuals when they are dysregulated.

They discuss what is meant by ‘dysregulation’ and the impact the environment can have on all individuals’ behaviour. They also talk about how we can respond with curiosity and compassion to feelings of dysregulation, whether we are supporting a child, young person, adult, colleague, or ourselves.

Anne currently works both as a counsellor with neurodivergent children, and as a university lecturer, teaching an MSC in Autism and Neurodiversity. Previously, Anne has worked as a speech and language therapist, family support coordinator, researcher, and trainer of teachers and residential care staff.

She has also written and published a book, ‘How to Be, and Remain, a Compassionate Educator: Learning From Neurodivergent Students for the Benefit of All’.

Anne shares three tips during the episode:

• Understand as much as you can around brain development, especially around ACEs, trauma, and neurodivergence.
• Devise systems and processes that are rooted in equity, so that everyone has access to what they need to thrive.
• Treating individuals with kindness and compassion is key to helping them unlock their potential.

The Team Teach podcast shares the latest thinking in behaviour, all in handy 15-minute (ish) bite-sized chunks. Each episode features a new guest chatting about a different aspect of behaviour and leaves you with three handy tips to use in your setting.

Find out how Team Teach can help your organisation.

The Team Teach podcast is created in the UK, adhering to UK law and guidance. Practitioners should exercise their professional judgment to determine the appropriateness of any Team Teach material for their specific sector and geographic region and be aware of the applicable laws and guidelines governing their organisation.