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 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), eating at different restaurants and cafes, going out for coffee, playing fun board games, playing with makeup looks, painting (oil and watercolour), and shopping- especially for new stuffed animals. 

 

Personality:

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 with a unique 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.

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:

• Understanding Autism and Education (elective module)

• Gender Equality in Law (elective module)

• Discovering Role Models: Voluntary Mentoring

• Culture and the Everyday (elective module)

• Introduction to British Sign Language

• Managing Clinical Risk

• Mental Capacity Act Level 1&2

• NHS E-Learning Introduction to AHPs in Neonatal Care

• NHS Autism Awareness 

• Preventing Radicalisation

• Fire safety

• Equality and Diversity

• Data Security

• Manual Handling

• Adult Basic Life Support

• Adult Safeguarding Levels 1 & 2 & 3

• Child Safeguarding Levels 1 & 2 & 3

• Tackling Loneliness and social isolation

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Registrations and memberships:

• Registered with the health and care professions council (HCPC)

• Royal College of Occupational Therapy (RCOT) member 

• Royal College of Occupational Therapy Specialist section member for independent practice 

• ICO registered + certificate

• Indemnity insurance

• Enhanced DBS checked

• Receives monthly supervision