Dr Samantha Hiew is the founding director of ADHD Girls.

Dr Samantha Hiew will deliver a keynote on ADHD and autism.

The BSAVA has announced a groundbreaking module for its 2023 Congress, centred around the theme of neurodiversity.

“Neurodivergent” is a term used for people whose brains function differently to the average or "neurotypical" person. That means that may have different social preferences, ways of communicating, ways of learning and ways of perceiving the environment.

In a press release, BSAVA said the module will explore the challenges of a neurodiversity diagnosis, before moving on to look at communication and how practice teams, neurodivergent clients and students can be better supported.

Neurodiversity expert Dr Samantha Hiew will kickstart proceedings with a keynote speech exploring the impact of ADHD and autism on the workplace, and what practices can do to help build an empathetic and understanding culture.

Samantha is best known as the founding director of ADHD Girls, an organisation that aims to help people with ADHD to access employment and encourage change by working with businesses to help them understand ADHD.

She set up the organisation following her own ADHD diagnosis at the age of 40 and hopes to spark awareness of neurodiversity and help teams to become more neuroinclusive through practical training and workshops.

Samantha said: “No two brains are the same. But what if you were born with a brain that constantly makes you feel like everything you do differentiates you from everyone else?”

“My talk introduces Neurodiversity in the context of society, casting light on ADHD and autism, and how this impacts the workplace and one’s quality of life, and what we can do to build a compassionate culture, starting with the conversations we have at work. I’m really excited to talk at the BSAVA Congress and meet other professionals in the veterinary field.”

After her speech, Samantha will participate in a panel discussion around the challenges of diagnosis of neurodivergence alongside Laura Playforth, a vet who has been diagnosed with both bipolar and autism.

BSAVA Congress Programme Committee vice chair Andy Green, said: “We are delighted to have Samantha delivering our keynote this year on such an important topic. Neurodiversity is becoming an increasingly important area of focus and understanding across society and we have a significant population of neurodivergent people working as vets, nurses and in other roles, many of whom may not as yet have a diagnosis.”

“We also need to recognise that many pet owners and clients are neurodivergent. Samantha is ideally placed to shine a spotlight on this subject, using her own story and life experience to deliver a greater understanding of what it actually means to be neurodivergent and how businesses/practices can understand, embrace and support neurodivergent members of the workforce and community.”

The keynote speech will take place on Friday, 24 March in the Exchange Auditorium at Manchester Central.

Image (C) BSAVA.