About Me
Alexandra Lawrence BA, MSc, MRCOT
HCPC registered Occupational Therapist
Navigate Neurodiversity Occupational Therapy was set up by Alexandra Lawrence, an HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist based in England.
Alex is an Occupational Therapist with lived experience of being Autistic, Dyslexic, Dyspraxic, having mental health conditions, hypermobility and persistent pain. She created Navigate Neurodiversity Occupational Therapy in response to noticing a need for more lived experience-based OTs working with neurodivergent adults. There is currently a very small number of services for neurodivergent adults. But Alex believes that adults having access to lived-experienced-based occupational therapy support is key to developing confidence, self-compassion and improving well-being.
Alex is an Occupational Therapist who has a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy. She has a strong understanding of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of being neurodivergent, and she is committed to providing personalised and compassionate support. She is passionate about helping her clients progress towards their goals and supporting them to lead happier lives.
Hobbies:
Alex enjoys spending time with animals (dogs are her special interest), going out for coffee, playing fun board games, playing with makeup looks, painting (oil and watercolour), crafts and shopping- especially for new stuffed animals.
Personality:
Alex is a disabled white British woman who uses she/her pronouns. She is proudly LGBTQIA+ and a trans ally.
Alex is known for her warm and caring nature, always willing to go the extra mile to support her clients. An introvert at heart, she finds solace in quieter hobbies and cherishes moments spent alone or with animals. Often described as quirky and with sense of humour. She treasures moments of shared laughter with her clients, especially when discovering similarities, like a mutual preference for eating only with little spoons while playfully joking about the 'evil' nature of big spoons.
In sessions Alex uses a relaxed approach, seeing herself as an equal with the client. Alex is chatty and enjoys hearing about clients interests and incorporating them into sessions, she communicates with a relaxed informal way in sessions. Swearing, laughter, playfulness and anything else that makes the client comfortable is embraced.
Education:
Alex graduated from the University of Sussex in 2020 with a 2:1 Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology. She wanted to use her knowledge of people and society to help others on a one-to-one basis. She went on to study for a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy, which she completed with merit.
During her MSc, she completed over 1000 hours of placement in NHS and third sector services such as a gender identity clinic, ME/CFS service, acute medicine and within a community learning centre charity. She bases her approach on holistic, lived-experience, neuro-affirming and client-centred practices. She prides herself on being compassionate and understanding, often finding that her warm personality puts people at ease. She currently maintains monthly supervision and CPD to support her practice and enhance her services. Alex after graduating Alex worked as an Autism mentor for teenagers to expand her practice and knowledge.
Other courses and training completed:
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Understanding Autism and Education (elective module)
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Gender Equality in Law (elective module)
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Discovering Role Models: Voluntary Mentoring
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Culture and the Everyday (elective module)
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Introduction to British Sign Language
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Managing Clinical Risk
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Mental Capacity Act Level 1&2
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NHS E-Learning Introduction to AHPs in Neonatal Care
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NHS Autism Awareness
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Preventing Radicalisation
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Fire safety
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Equality and Diversity
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Data Security
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Manual Handling
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Adult Basic Life Support
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Adult Safeguarding Levels 1 & 2 & 3
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Child Safeguarding Levels 1 & 2 & 3
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Tackling Loneliness and social isolation
Registrations and memberships:
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Registered with the health and care professions council (HCPC)
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Royal College of Occupational Therapy (RCOT) member
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Royal College of Occupational Therapy Specialist section member for independent practice
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ICO registered + certificate
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Indemnity insurance
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Enhanced DBS checked
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Receives monthly supervision
What is Occupational Therapy?
According to the Royal College of Occupational Therapy, Occupational therapy can help you live the life you want. OT can support you to be able to carry out the tasks you need and desire to do. That can involve supporting you as you work through problems at work or university, while doing your hobbies, or even doing the washing.
The Health and Care Professions Council regulates OT as a science-based profession in health and social care.
OT's examine the connections between daily occupations, the difficulties you encounter, and your surroundings (in OT the word 'occupation' does not just mean job, it means anything you do or want to do).
OT's will then develop a plan with goals and adjustments aimed at helping you to achieve whatever is important to you. The plan will be realistic and unique to you.
(The Royal College of Occupational Therapy)
*OTs work with all age groups, but this service focuses on ages 18 and over*