Background
Neurodiversity UK was established in 2013 to offer support to individuals and families with a child diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder or self-presenting with a Neurodiverse condition.
We are a community-based and volunteer-led charity, based in Comber Co Down. Each year we deliver a wide range of services to hundreds of local families and individuals, to help them navigate their own particular journey through the difficult world living with Neurodiversity.
Our services generally fall into 3 broad areas:
Socialising, Sport, independent living skills and personal development
General health & wellbeing
Education, general support and awareness-raising amongst families with a child(ren) with neurodiversity
Pathway to Participation
Neurodiversity UK is a community organisation that uses physical activity as one of our three primary focusses, offering better all-round physical and mental wellbeing for children, young people and young adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorder/Neurodiversity.
Our current activities provide benefit to Individuals and families within the North Down and Ards area, but specifically within the town of Comber. We are invested in supporting children and young people facing challenges related to Autism and Neurodiversity as well as mental health, social isolation, exclusion, loneliness and anxiety. We also hope to engage wider familial engagements, with mums, dads, carers and siblings welcome to take part.
Young people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder/Neurodiversity diagnosis face many challenges in life, but perhaps one of the biggest hurdles they face is not having the self-confidence and assurance to engage in social situations – often as a result of becoming aware that they experience difficulty ‘following rules’ and suffer from the resulting social exclusion and isolation. And often the stigma and/or lack of understanding associated with their diagnosis.
Our activities reduce social isolation, enhance community cohesion, and improve participants' overall quality of life. By focusing on preventative measures and early intervention, we aim to reduce the long-term impact of mental health issues on individuals and families, leading to a healthier, more resilient community. At the same time, we believe that Sport plays a vital role in building confidence, social skills, communication, discipline and so forth.
Physical Health
For the general population, it is self-evident that engagement in sports and sporting activities produces a wealth of benefits, including:
Improved physical health by helping to:
Strengthen bones and muscles, with regular physical activity improving bone density and help bones repair themselves.
Improve cardiovascular fitness as exercise can boost energy levels and improve lung health.
Regular physical activity can reduce risk of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer.
Engagement in sports can help improve balance and coordination, something of particular note to those with a Neurodiverse condition.
Regular sporting activity can help reach and maintain a healthy weight.
Mental health
It is clear that being involved in sports can help:
Sports can make people happier, less stressed and anxious
Those who regularly participant in sports activities develop higher levels of self-confidence, discipline, respect for others, self-worth and self-value
Exercise is a very effective and natural way to loosen up and let go of stress.
Social benefits
Sports can help inspire new social connections, reduce feelings of isolation and exclusion and build friendships with others who can offer a support system.
Other benefits
Of particular concern for those who have Neurodiverse traits, sport can offer:
Improved concentration and memory
Better sleep
Improved social skills
Improved personal skills, including cooperation and leadership
Improved focus and regulation of emotions
Exercise can help neurodivergent children and young people focus, regulate their emotions, and reduce hyperactivity.
It helps with overstimulation, as exercise can help when someone is feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated.
Barriers to Participation
Neurodivergent people can face many barriers to participating in sports, including:
Communication: Difficulty understanding instructions, rules, and communicating with teammates and coaches
Sensory differences: Uncomfortable uniforms, loud noises, and being too close to teammates is often a reason for NOT taking part in sport.
There is also a lack of awareness with many in sports clubs not having the experience or training to support those with a Neurodiversity and conversely, those looking for sport engagements may not be aware of organisations or facilities that cater to neurodivergent needs
There are strong psychological barriers to participating in sport including misconceptions and societal attitudes that create psychological tension and lead to negative stereotyping
Limited opportunities: There may be limited opportunities for participation, training, and competition
Lack of accessible transportation, often specialised transport and carers may be needed to support people get to and from activities
Lack of role models: There is a real dearth of lack of role models in sport advancing the neurodiversity message
Some people have had bad or traumatic experiences in PE in school or community sport
A further barrier to sport engagement would be that trainers and coaches may not know how to support someone who is neurodivergent
What we plan to do
The early stages of the programme (Week 1 – 3) will see all participants take part in Autism Movement Therapy. This is an innovative, energetic approach to stimulate the brain, aid sensory processing, communication & motor skills. It is also a gentle introduction to sport and fitness.
(From Week 4 – Week 8) Participants will then be given the opportunity to try out different sports and activities including non-contact and non-competitive boxing, Neurospicy Tai Chi classes, Yoga, Pilates, Dance, Swimming, Table Tennis, badminton and local group walking tours
The final 2 weeks of the programme (Weeks 9-10) will see participants concentrating on 2 of the sports they have enjoyed the most and we will support them as they maybe consider becoming a member of a local sports clubs or continuing to participate informally with Neurodiversity UK
During the programme (Weeks 2-8) we will host Mental health, mindfulness and meditation activities.
From Week 4 to Week 10, we will engage participants in ‘Healthy Diet/Healthy Life’ sessions which will look at the benefits of a balanced diet, but also offer advice on rest, sleep, keeping a routine and much more
Costs of delivering this project
We will engage a professionally qualified Autism Movement Therapy facilitator
Payment to coaches and trainers
Entrance costs where we cannot provide in-house facilities
Purchase of small items of equipment
Mental Health, Healthy Eating and Healthy lifestyles' facilitators
Who will benefit
- Individuals living with Autism/Neurodiversity. By providing bespoke support our organisation reduces the stigma and develops a safe and inclusive environment where individuals can get support, be comfortable, build resilience and improve their quality of life.
- Families and carers of those with Autism/Neurodiversity. Not only will the presence of family networks make engagement easier for those we are targeting, but it will helps strengthen family bonds, understand the condition better and allow connect with other community members..
- Children and young people will benefit from structured activities that promote physical health, teamwork, and personal development, encouraging them to lead healthier and more active lives.
- Children and young people with a Neurodiverse diagnosis often feel disconnected from their community. By engaging with local peers with similar needs, they will develop a better sense of belonging and connectedness