This week Iâm joined by Professor Amanda Kirby, who started her career as a GP, then worked in adult psychiatry and stress management, but changed her career when her second child was diagnosed with dyspraxia (developmental co-ordination disorder), at the age of 3. Her family is very neurodivergent, with children and adults diagnosed with dyslexia, autism, dyspraxia, developmental language disorder and ADHD, providing her with a unique understanding, insight and passion that continues to raise awareness.
Her experience and frustrations ( at times) as a parent finding her way around the health and educational system led to her consequently starting up an interdisciplinary specialist centre for parents, and children in Wales more than 25 years ago in order to be able to provide practical robust support.
Amanda has been on government advisory boards (e.g. Hidden Impairment National Group) as well as advising UK and international charities in the field of neurodiversity. This includes being a patron of the Dyspraxia Association in New Zealand, Chair of Movement Matters UK, and works with great UK charities including the Dyspraxia Foundation, British Dyslexia Association, North East Autism Society, and is a trustee of the ADHD Foundation campaigning to embrace neurodiversity.
Amanda is also a paid consultant for Equazen, producer of omega 3 supplements, and I talk with her today about the importance of omega 3, and itâs role in brain function and neurodiversity.
If you enjoyed this episode, I'd be delighted if you would give us a 5* rating and leave a review, so other people can find us too. Thank you!â