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NEURODIVERSE SPORT
CHAMPIONING NEUROINCLUSIVE PRACTICE IN SPORT
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Hi, thanks for visiting our website!
We are the leading not-for-profit championing neurodivergent individuals in sport, dedicated to empowering athletes and participants at all levels. We shape the conversation on neurodiversity, advancing neuroinclusive practices with expertise from researchers, advocates, elite neurodivergent athletes, and expert coaches. Our vision is to make neuroinclusivity standard across sports, ensuring neurodivergent individuals are recognised, celebrated, and supported. Through targeted education, advocacy, and tailored services, we help sports clubs, teams, businesses, and institutions embed neuroinclusive practices, so that everyone—from grassroots to elite—has the opportunity to thrive.
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To make sport accessible, empowering, and inclusive for all, while positioning neurodiversity as a powerful asset for innovation and connection
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For neuroinclusive practice to become the standard in all sports.
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Through cutting-edge research, ongoing dialogue, and a commitment to real-world impact, we are advancing both the conversation and practice of neurodiversity in sport.
Our focus is to deepen understanding of neurodiversity within the sports world and to champion neuroinclusive practices at every level—from grassroots teams to elite competition, and across the professional workforce. We aim to highlight neurodivergent excellence, create inspiring role models, promote equitable opportunities for participation in community sports, and harness the protective power of sport for those most vulnerable to adverse outcomes.
FAQs
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What is Neurodiversity?
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Neurodiversity refers to everyone: It refers to the uniqueness of every single person’s neurology and behaviour traits.
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If our brains were plotted on a graph, those who are considered ‘neurotypical’ would sit closer to the statistical norm.
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Those considered neurodivergent would sit further from the statistical norm...
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An image of a bell curve, with neurotypical, commonly shared traits represented in the centre, while neurodivergent, less commonly shared traits are shown at both ends of the curve.
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They may have a condition such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia or dyspraxia.
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Remember: Every individual, whether neurodivergent or ‘neurotypical’, experiences life uniquely.
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How Does Neurodiversity Impact Participation in Sport?
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Neurodivergent individuals often face greater barriers to participation.
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Activity levels among the wider neurodivergent population are far below average.
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Yet, some of the world’s best athletes are neurodivergent.
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Highlighting that, with the right support, neurodivergent people have a lot to contribute to the sector.
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Where Do Neurodivergent People Belong in Sport?
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Neurodivergent people belong where they feel most comfortable.
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Some neurodivergent individuals consider themselves disabled and will therefore feel most comfortable participating in disability sport...
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Some will have cooccurring physical or intellectual disabilities requiring specialist programmes to participate safely.
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Yet, the majority of neurodivergent people will feel most comfortable participating in mainstream sport.
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The image illustrates the composition of the UK population, which is approximately 68.43 million people. Of this, around 24% (approximately 16.42 million) identify as disabled. Within this group, around 2.2% (approximately 1.5 million) have a learning disability, and 1.8% (approximately 1.2 million) are wheelchair users. The remaining 76% of the population (approximately 52.68 million) do not identify as disabled. Additionally, approximately 20% of the population (around 38.69 million) are neurodivergent, with this group intersecting across all the aforementioned categories.
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Whatever type of sport you coach, if you have a team of 20 people, you can expect (at the very least) 4 to be neurodivergent.
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Therefore, it is imperative that all sports teams are inclusive of neurodivergent people.
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Visit our YouTube channel, hosted by Rhiannon Cooper, The Active Autist! Join us as Rhiannon leads heartfelt interviews that go beyond performance to uncover the personal stories, revelations, and valuable learnings of neurodivergent athletes. Whether you're here for inspiration or practical advice, our channel celebrates diverse minds in sports—subscribe and explore a world where every story offers a new perspective.
Explore our blog, where we explore the intersection of neurodiversity and sport, uncovering ways to empower neurodivergent individuals at every level. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or supporter, our articles, insights, and tips offer a fresh perspective on how neurodiversity enhances sports performance and community. Dive in to discover inspiring stories, practical strategies, and resources that help make sports more inclusive and supportive for everyone.
Written by Maddy Nutt
Growing up without a formal diagnosis for autism, I very much learnt how to manage certain social situations and although on the outside I may appear to be thriving in these settings and an extrovert, inside my brain is a very different reality.
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How can we help you?
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Our Resource Pages offer a growing library of downloadable materials designed to support neurodivergent athletes, coaches, and sports organisations. From practical guides to inclusive coaching techniques to tools that help athletes understand and leverage their strengths, we are constantly expanding this library to provide accessible, valuable resources for the neurodiverse community in sport.
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Our Blog features powerful stories of lived experiences, offering insights from neurodivergent athletes, coaches, and supporters within the sports world. Additionally, we share event write-ups, spotlighting our involvement and the impact of neuroinclusion in sports. These stories help raise awareness, foster empathy, and celebrate the achievements of the neurodiverse community.
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Through our comprehensive range of services, including our Speaker Programme and tailored consultation packages, we support organisations in creating more inclusive environments for neurodivergent athletes. Our experts provide awareness training, strategic advice, and customised solutions to help sports teams and organisations better understand and meet the needs of neurodivergent individuals, from grassroots to elite levels.
“If you create a safe space for people to share their different experience of the world you can be an enabler. You can help people step out of their comfort zone and achieve things beyond their limits.”