Hi, I’m Silke

I’m based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and work with people across the UK.

Since 1994, I have been drawn to supporting autistic people and individuals with neurodivergent learning profiles. I bring together professional experience and lived experience of neurodivergence, which shapes how I understand and approach my work.

My Experience

I have over 30 years’ experience working in the NHS and private practice, specialising in autism, ADHD and learning disability.

Over time, I have worked across a wide range of settings and with people at different stages of life. This breadth of experience allows me to integrate psychological models with practical, accessible and compassionate care.

I maintain ongoing professional development through supervision, training, and engagement with current research.

My Approach

I work in a neuroaffirmative way, grounded in dignity, respect, and genuine curiosity about each person’s experience.

I see people as individuals with their own strengths, patterns and ways of being, rather than as a set of problems to be fixed. My role is to support understanding, reduce overwhelm, and help develop ways forward that work in real life.

Lived experience

I speak from both professional and personal perspectives, as someone with lived experience of neurodivergence.

This helps me to understand not only the theory, but also the day-to-day realities — including the impact of environments, expectations, and systems that may not fit.

My Role

My role is to help you understand your mind and your environment, so that both can work together in a way that supports you more effectively.

Let’s Work Together

If you would like to find out more or discuss working together, please get in touch.

About Dr Silke Newman