Navigate Neurodiversity Occupational Therapy

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Navigate Neurodiversity Occupational Therapy

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Alex (she/her) Uks 1st specialist ND adults OT service by a multiply ND, ♿️ , 🏳️‍🌈,with chronic pain/illness who “just gets it”
🖥️ 1:1 OT, Access-to-work coaching, Access consults, social group, webinars & more
4x award nominations across:”24 “25 &2026

25/03/2026

Three years ago I took a leap and started my own OT practice. A first of its kind service in the U.K. rooted in my wealth of lived-experience & OT knowledge.

I was passionate about supporting neurodivergent adults in a way that was actually neuroaffirming. No one-size-fits-all, a safe space, connection, care, and real practical support.

Three years on, I've had the absolute privilege of working with the most incredible humans. You've reminded me why this work matters every single day, and it’s been a real privilege to hear your stories, laugh together, and create change.

But what’s next? We’ll… I've been secretly building something new. On-demand tools designed for neurodivergent adults, lower cost, available in your own time, at your own pace. More on that very soon. 🌟

Subscribe to my mailing list to be the first to hear & a freebie when it launches! https://alexnavneuroot.substack.com/subscribe

For now, happy birthday to us, and the biggest thank you to everyone who has been part of it. You are the reason I do this. 💙

22/03/2026

I’m too much…?

For me, the hardest part isn’t always the experience itself, it’s trying to navigate a world that expects consistency.

I’m not dramatic, a hypochondriac or exaggerating (despite what others haves told me!) . And I am not declining invites because I’m lazy, because I don’t want to go or because I don’t care.

It’s so tough when the world around you doesn’t understand how much things fluctuate, and how perhaps they just haven’t seen how you are the majority of the time because you have carefully hidden it for fear they will think you’re “too much” or “too difficult” to be around. Just because you’ve seen me looking “ok” doesn’t mean I am. Just because I could do it yesterday doesn’t mean I can today.

I live in a constant state of having to choose between activities because i can’t do both. Deciding wether to prioritise things i want to or need to do. And feeling guilty for declining invites which aren’t accessible, where i know i will be judged for saying no, and feeling embarrassed for looking nice one day incase people think i am faking it the rest of the time.

If this resonates know you’re not alone. I see you, I understand, I care 💛

12/03/2026

The new improved website is here! ✨

For our birthday month I’ve been working on two things:
1) a new improved, cleaner and clear website
2) a secret new project to be revealed very soon!

Want to be the first to find out what it is? Sign up to my free newsletter 🔗 in bio

Alt: purple background with a pink birthday cake and text stay reads- Our 3rd birthday is nearly here, and we’re celebrating with two exciting updates! First up: a fresh new website that feels clean, clear and easy to enjoy.

But even bigger news… I’ve been quietly creating something special behind the scenes: thoughtful, practical, and made for real life.

I can’t wait to share more with you soon. 👀💛

10/03/2026

Maybe it’s the opposite 👀

Intense sensations like spiky tools, rough textures and the cold are really common grounding strategies

However some people find they make them feel worse eg before a meltdown or when overwhelmed

Actually they might be craving a sense of safety which something shocking will be counter productive for.

Instead using warmth, soothing textures and soft lighting might be more beneficial.

Disclaimer: Eveyone is different so if intense sensations work for you, absolutely do it! This is just a video for those people who don’t get on with them. This is not medical advice, just general education and lived-experience reflections.

Vid description: Alex is a brown haired woman with cat eye glasses who speaks to the camera. She wears a black jumper and holds up a blue calm buddy and an orange dough ball. She speaks about intense sensations vs creating a sense of safety for when we are in hyperarousal.

06/01/2026

What part of birthdays do you wish you could change?

Today i had an unmasked birthday. No forced smiles at a surprise party I didn’t want. No pretending to love being the centre of attention. No sensory overload from loud restaurants or jammy cake I can’t stand.

Instead? I designed it exactly how I needed it.

As neurodivergent adults, we’ve spent years performing what birthdays “should” look like. But here’s the thing – your birthday can be whatever works for YOUR nervous system. Quiet walks instead of parties. Takeaway instead of restaurants. Saying no to cake and having a croissant. Celebrating a week late when you’ve got the energy.

There’s no rulebook that says you have to celebrate the neurotypical way.

Masking… sometimes it is helpful! eg for safety, but being able to unmask on days like your birthday is so lovely

What would your ideal, unmasked birthday look like? Drop it in the comments – I’d love to hear. 👇

ActuallyAutistic

03/01/2026

Things we’re leaving in 2025 ✌️

Some things need to stay in the past…

As a disabled OT working with my fellow neurodivergent adults, these are a few of the many things I reckon we should be ditching for 2026.

Here’s the thing - your aren’t broken. The systems around you? Often they are. And you deserve support & care that actually gets that.

I’m curious - what would YOU add to this list? What are you ready to leave behind? Let’s crowdsource this together 👇

alt: things we are leaving in 2025.
Being mean to ourselves for finding something hard, that others don’t,Excluding the disabled friend from being able to access plans/events,Feeling guilty for saying “no”, The idea that there is a “right” way to socialise or enjoy yourself,Not being “disabled enough” for
support/equipment,Rest as a reward,Plushies and fidgets being only for kids.

18/12/2025

Wow 2025 has gone very quickly!

So much has happened this year. I can’t fit it all into one post….

But I just wanted to pop on and say a big thank you to everyone who has worked with me as a client or who has supported this little OT practice on social media, this year.

Thank you for your trust, your kindness and the laughs and tears we shared together. I truely believe in the power of being surrounded by people who “get it”.

2026 is going to be an even bigger year with some big changes and projects coming. I can’t wait to share them with you.

But until then, thank you again & I wish you a wonderful cosy rest of 2025 & a happy 2026 💛

* I will be off until the 7th of January

Alt text: “end of year wrap up: provided OT to my fellow ND adults, updated my logo based on feedback,nominated for an award, collaborated with other professionals, provided access to work services, started work on a new project for 2026, attended conferences. Improved the accessibility of my software”

11/12/2025

Can we talk about endometriosis for a minute? 💛

Because it’s not just about painful periods. It’s about cancelling plans last minute. It’s about the brain fog that makes you forget mid-sentence. It’s about the fatigue that no amount of sleep seems to fix. It’s about navigating work, relationships, and daily life when your body feels like it’s working against you.

I have endo, and I’m also an OT working with neurodivergent adults - so I see firsthand how chronic conditions affect everything. Your routines. Your energy management. Your mental health. Your ability to do the things that matter to you.

In my latest blog post, I’m sharing what I’ve learned from both sides.

Head to the link to read the full post on Substack 💜

https://open.substack.com/pub/alexnavneuroot/p/endometriosis-and-ot-and-waiting?r=48cv4o&utm_medium=ios

27/11/2025

It’s cold & dark & a lot of us aren’t feeling our best… let’s talk about glimmers!

What’s YOUR glimmer today?✨

You know those tiny moments that just light you up from the inside? Maybe it’s the perfect cup of coffee, your favourite song coming on shuffle, or finally getting that sensory experience just right.

As autistic adults, we often think about ways to to manage overwhelm & challenges of daily life (and yes, that’s important!) - but what about celebrating those beautiful micro-moments of joy? Those glimmers that make our nervous system feel safe, settled, and happy?

I’ve shared some of mine, I’m collecting glimmers today and I’d LOVE to hear yours! Drop them in the comments below!

ALT:
my glimmers and has photos do lavender, dogs, a brass bird, makeup, stickers, art supplies, plushies and mugs
Page 2 Text reads “what are glimmers: Glimmers are things which are the opposite of triggers.
They are small things that bring a sense of joy, peace, calm
Page 3 text reads Text reads: how can glimmers help us
There are lots of ways! But some of my personal favourites are:
→ to help prevent burnout
→ to help me regulate my nervous system
→ to connect with others or myself
→ to reduce stress

26/11/2025

New way to join the waiting list & portal refresh!

In 2026 I will be taking on new self funded and ATW clients 💛

The client portal has been updated, it looks fresher and is simpler to navigate! But the best part is that you can now join my waiting list directly via the portal 🥳

If you’ve been meaning to get in contact, you’re welcome to head over to the portal and add yourself to the list (you’re also still welcome to email instead).

In the notes section let me know a bit about what you are looking for from sessions/ what support you’d like, wether you’re self-funding or ATW & how often you’d like to see me. 💛

Client portal: https://clientportal.uk.zandahealth.com/clientportal/navigateneurodiversityot/home

Alt- photo shows the white and purple client portal homepage with a button labeled “waitlist” and an arrow pointing to it

21/11/2025

Thank you! 💛🥹

I love helping people find stratergies that work for their brains. Problem solving togther and figuring out a plan that is individualised!

Alt: cream background with purple text reading feedback Friday “Alex has helped me so much, I now understand my AuDHD traits so much better, know how to support myself when I'm struggling and I have lots of strategies to work with my executive functioning problems. I would thoroughly recommend Alex as an OT"

18/11/2025

*update: it’s back up and running now as of 3pm. if you have any issues accessing the portal let me know via email ☺️

Hi all, cloudflare has an outage and this is causing all my software to be down, including the client portal is & telehealth links.
I will update this post once it’s back up and running (hopefully soon!)💛

Address

Chesterfield

Website

http://www.navigateneurodiversityot.com/

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