About Me
Hi, I’m Kirstie.

I’m an autistic and ADHD professional with a background in supporting autistic young people, creating accessible resources, developing training and helping people better understand themselves and others.
For the past five years, I’ve been part of the Spectrum Gaming community, working alongside autistic young people and other neurodivergent adults to develop resources and support grounded in lived experience. I’ve worked across training, advocacy, content creation and project development, with a particular interest in making complex ideas easier to understand and genuinely useful.
My twenty years of experience supporting young people stretches across a range of ages and settings, from early years through to young adult learners in further education. I’ve also worked in 1:1 mentoring, and my experience of home educating my own AuDHD children has given me another perspective on learning, autonomy, and the different ways people grow and develop.
I’m passionate about helping fellow neurodivergent people better understand themselves, recognise their strengths, navigate challenges and find ways of doing things that work for them. I’m equally interested in helping the people around them develop a more informed, compassionate understanding of their experiences.
Alongside my work with people, I love the creative side of turning ideas into something tangible: writing articles, developing training, designing resources, building websites and finding new ways to communicate information. I’m particularly drawn to work that brings together lived experience, practical knowledge and creative problem-solving.
Now working for myself, I’m bringing those interests together through my own work in mentoring, training, consultancy and content creation. I’m interested in projects that make a meaningful difference, challenge assumptions and help create environments where autistic and otherwise neurodivergent people can be understood and supported on their own terms.
If you’d like to find out more about 1:1 mentoring, or working with me, you can do that here!
Qualifications
Although many of my skills are shaped by experience or are self taught, I believe in lifelong learning and am continually adding to the list of courses I have been on!
In addition to the selection of qualifications below, I also hold an enhanced DBS certificate.
Click on the headings to see more:
Academic Qualifications
- BA (Hons) English - 2:1
Professional Training & Qualifications
- Working Effectively with Autistic University Students (National Association of Disability Practitioners)
- Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health First Aid & Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace
- Designated Safeguarding Lead - Level 3 (Both for Young People and Adults)
- Teaching Programming in Primary Schools (Raspberry Pi Foundation)
- Play Therapy Diploma
- Positive Psychology Diploma Level 2
- Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning
Additional Training & CPD
- Introduction to Trauma Informed Practice
- 6 Week Autism Acceptance Training (Andy Smith / Spectrum Gaming)
- Monotropism & Autistic Wellbeing (Dr Hanna Venton-Platz)
- Understanding Selective Mutism, Autism & Reactive Mutism (Andy Smith)
- Supporting Young People's Transition to Independence
- Supporting Young People to Overcome Barriers to Employment & Education
- The Inside of Autism (Kieran Rose)
- Working with LGBTQ+ Young People
- Supporting Autistic Young People with Strong Feelings (Dr Hanna Venton-Platz)
- Non-Medical Helpers & Mentors Autism Training (National Autistic Society)
- OCD & Autism
- Working with Young People - Media Literacy
- Keeping Children Safe Online
- Child Protection for Tutors
- Strategic Oversight & Leadership in Safeguarding
- Safeguarding Adults Level 3
- UK Gov Prevent Training
- Data Protection & GDPR
Previous Work:

Video: Autism Understood Q&A – Sleep!
A video where I am joined by Clinical Psychologist Dr Hanna Venton-Platz and some young people from Spectrum Gaming to discuss the topic of autism and sleep!

Project: Autism Understood
Autism Understood is a website about autism, for autistic young people. The project has developed over time, from an accessible online library of information and articles, to a structured course for young people, alongside training that enables professionals to deliver the course in their own settings.

Article: Impulsivity
An article I wrote for the NPTool website about impulsivity. I cover some strategies that might be helpful if you struggle with impulsivity, but also highlight how it can be a strength too (shout out to my fellow creative problem-solving AuDHDers!)

Podcast: Supporting People with PMDD
I Join Rachel Crutcher from the PDA Society on their podcast to discuss supporting people with PMDD. This is a two part podcast, with Part 1 available to watch for free via their YouTube channel, and Part 2 is a more in depth conversation, for subscribers to their training hub.

Article: Understanding Self-Harm
An accessible, non-judgemental guide to self-harm for autistic young people, exploring why some people self-harm, the feelings and experiences that can contribute to it, and ways to seek support and find alternative coping strategies.

Downloads: ‘Who Can I Talk To?’ Supporting Young People to Access Help & Support
A free, collaborative resource I created for parents and professionals to use with young people to explore who they can turn to when they’re feeling upset or distressed. The activity helps young people identify sources of support, understand emotional consent when sharing feelings, and explore options for accessing further help.