Rorie has a background in education, academic research and mental health advocacy. He has written or co-written (with Kate Richardson) a number of papers and learning resources on subjects including autism, effective communication, learning disabilities and advocacy. Rorie has completed training in Interoceptive Awareness, Attachment, Sensory Attachment Intervention and The Just Right State programme.

Kate is a highly specialist speech and language therapist and works part time in the NHS supporting adults with a learning disability, many of whom have autism. Kate also works as a Responsive Communication practitioner. Kate has passed Sensory Integration Module One Foundations and Neuroscience and has completed Sensory Attachment Intervention for Therapists level one. Kate uses the principles of Sensory Attachment Intervention throughout her work. Kate has trained in assessing supporting the development of Interoceptive Awareness.

In addition to the publications she has co-written with Rorie, Kate contributed a chapter to Phoebe Caldwell’s book Responsive Communication (2019).

Emma’s background is working with adults with complex needs including an acquired brain injury, autism, learning disability and mental illness. She has been a registered manager of social care services and has extensive business development experience.

Emma is undertaking PhD research into autism and authenticity. She has been published in the BILD Good Autism Practice Journal. Her writing about autism is shared internationally through blogs and social media.

Rachel is a Counselling Psychologist and an Associate Fellow & Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychology Society and a Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health Care Professionals Council.

Rachel is also a member of the Faculty for Intellectual Disabilities and the Division of Counselling Psychology. She has over fifteen years’ experience of working with individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Autistic Spectrum Conditions in a variety of settings.

Clare qualified as a Massage Therapist (ITEC, MTI) in 2002 and spent her first years in practice treating a range of client groups including cancer patients at The Royal Free Hospital and teenagers with drug and alcohol dependency. She now runs a private practice and treats people from all walks of life.

Angela trained as a contemporary dancer and choreographer. Whilst her daughter was at school, Angela joined the SEN Forum for East Sussex Education Authority and worked with researchers and consultants to help inform policy, eventually becoming one of the parent/carer representatives on East Sussex County Council Learning Disabilities Partnership Board (LDPB).

Angela went on to lead projects in Intensive Interaction (Interact Now) with Sussex Partnership NHS Trust, and Person-Centered approaches for the LDPB. Angela was involved in the Responsive Communication pilot project in Carmarthenshire that led to the formation of Autism Wellbeing.

Nicola has worked as an assistant psychologist in the prison and probation service and as a psychology support worker for local authority and third sector organisations. She has a degree and MSc in psychology, as well as postgraduate qualifications in systemic psychotherapy and autism. Nicola is currently in the final year of her PhD in counselling psychology and has successfully completed placements in acute and community mental health settings.