Neurodivergence
and Whole-Person Health
A Transdiagnostic & Transdisciplinary Approach to Understanding Cognitive, Social, Emotional, Mental & Physical Well-Being
Course Overview
Traditionally, neurodivergence has been studied and explored within categorical frameworks (e.g., autism, ADHD) and through distinct academic disciplines such as Psychology, Medicine, and Biology. However, the overlapping and interconnected nature of neurodivergent people’s experiences calls the need for a more holistic and integrated approach. Minds, brains, and bodies, often treated as separate entities, are deeply interconnected and must be understood as such.
This online course, delivered over seven weeks, with optional live Q&A sessions, provides a comprehensive understanding of neurodivergence and its links to cognitive, social, mental/emotional, and physical health. Participants will gain insights into the latest scientific research and learn about key concepts that articulate the experiences of neurodivergent individuals. Importantly, the course incorporates rich narratives of lived experiences, including those of the course leader, Dr Kana Grace. This course is designed for a diverse audience, including neurodivergent individuals, their families, and professionals in healthcare, mental health, and education, offering tools and perspectives to better support and engage with neurodivergent people.
What You Need to Know
Date and Time: February 11 - March 31 2026
Location: Online (optional live sessions take place on Zoom)
Duration: 7 weeks
How to Apply: Complete the pre-registration form by January 25, 2026 via this link (https://forms.office.com/r/a46ec29M4L) or the “Apply Here” button below
Who It’s For: Anyone interested in this topic
Fees: ¥ 79,000 (yen)
Note: The course is open to participants worldwide.
If it is helpful, the fee can be paid in up to three installments - please let us know if you would
like to arrange this.
Course Features
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In-Depth, Evidence-Based Knowledge: Develop a comprehensive understanding of neurodivergence through the latest scientific insights. This course is grounded in Dr Kana’s extensive review of over 1,000 academic papers, carefully curated for your learning.
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Lived Experience & Practical Insight: Gain insight into the strengths, challenges, and needs of neurodivergent individuals. The course weaves together firsthand accounts, Dr Kana’s lived experience, and her work in private practice with neurodivergent individuals and their families.
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Exploring the Complexity of Neurodivergence: Delve into the interconnected nature of cognitive, emotional, social, mental, and physical health. Learn about overlapping neurodivergences and co-occurring mental and physical health challenges - through both evidence and real-world experience.
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Graduate-Level Learning, Made Accessible: Led by Dr Kana - UCL-trained PhD in Psychology and board-certified in Lifestyle Medicine - this course delivers postgraduate-level content in clear, accessible language. Dr Kana also teaches on the Autism Postgraduate Course at Sheffield Hallam University and with the National Autistic Society (UK).
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Inclusive and International Perspective: Dr Kana draws on international experience working with neurodivergent children, youth, adults, and families. Her approach is culturally aware and trauma-informed - grounded in real-world and evidence-based practice.
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Supportive and Caring Environment: You will have direct access to Dr Kana throughout the 7-week course via live sessions and the online platform - to ask questions and share reflections.
Course Details
This fully online, seven-week course is led by Dr Kana Grace, an internationally recognized, award-winning psychologist specializing in autism and neurodivergence.
The course includes a recorded lecture component, two optional—but highly recommended—live Q&A sessions, a final reflection session, and course-long access to a dedicated Discord community for sharing questions and thoughts. From Week 1 to 5, participants will receive a set of videos to watch (approximately 1.5–2 hours of content each week) and will be invited to share their weekly reflections on Discord. Week 6 is intentionally kept free, offering space for personal reflection and integration of learning. In Week 7, participants and Dr Kana will come together for an optional—but highly recommended—live session to engage in final reflections, guided by prompts provided in advance. Throughout the course, participants are warmly encouraged to share questions and thoughts on Discord. Between Week 1 and Week 6, there will also be two optional—but highly recommended—live Q&A sessions (one hour each) with Dr Kana. These sessions provide valuable opportunities for a sense of connection through live interactions with other participants and Dr Kana. The date and time for these live sessions will be scheduled later to accommodate participants across different time zones. A printable course schedule will be provided at the beginning of the course, and a certificate of completion will be issued at the end.
The course is informed by the latest scientific research and the most recent discussions within the neurodivergent community. It also draws extensively on Dr Kana’s extensive academic expertise as a researcher, her professional experience supporting neurodivergent children, youth and adults and their families in her pravate practice, and – importantly - her personal experiences as a multiply-neurodivergent individual with chronic pain. She also brings a unique perspective informed by her lifelong dedication to ballet and her multilingual, multicultural background.
Week 1: What is Neurodivergence?
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The importance of learning from lived experiences
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Foundations for understanding neurodivergence
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Diagnostic categories and their limitations
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Strengths, challenges, and the diversity of neurodivergent experiences
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Societal barriers to well-being and inclusion
Week 2: Cognition
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How neurodivergent people think, plan, focus and regulate emotions
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Strengths, challenges, and strategies for neurodivergent cognitive styles
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Key concepts to understand neurodivergent cognition
Week 3: Social, Emotional, and Mental Health
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Navigating the social world
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Emotional awareness and regulation
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Loneliness and interpersonal dynamics
Week 4: Mental Health
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The prevalence of mental health challenges
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Trauma: lived experiences, impacts and differential diagnoses
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Disordered eating: lived experiences, contributing factors, and mechanisms
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Suicidality: lived experiences and underlying risk factors
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Mechanisms driving the mental ill health symptoms
Week 5: Physical Health
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Common physical health symptoms and conditions
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Mechanisms underlying physical health symptoms
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The role of lifestyle in managing physical health challenges
Requirements:
Access to Zoom and Discord, both free to download and use.
Course Focus:
The course embraces the social model of disability and the neurodiversity paradigm, focusing on better understanding neurodivergent minds and changing society to create a world where neurodivergent individuals can fully utilize their abilities, without trying to change them.
For any inquiries, please contact the course leader, Dr Kana Grace, at valtameri.grace@outlook.com.
Course Leader: Dr Kana Grace, PhD, DipIBLM
Education:
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PhD in Psychology, University College London, UK
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MA in Counselling Psychology, Boston College, USA
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Postgraduate Certification in Autism, Sheffield Hallam University, UK
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BS, Northeastern University, USA
Certification:
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Board Certified in Lifestyle Medicine
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Certification in Nutritional Medicine, University of Winchester, UK
Dr Kana Grace is an internationally recognized Autism and Neurodivergence Psychologist. She has been featured in various media outlets, including the BBC, The Scientist, and Daniel Tammet's book "Nine Minds". Dr Kana specializes in the wellbeing and health of neurodivergent people. Dr Kana is also a board certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional currently pursuing advanced education in Rheumatology. Her approach is rooted in evidence-based practice and a strong commitment to lifelong learning.
Dr Kana's work is deeply rooted in her own experiences of living with multiple neurodivergences — autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and Tourette — along with chronic pain related to hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and associated conditions. Because of these lived experiences, Dr Kana now supports neurodivergent people both with and without chronic pain and chronic illnesses, through Valtameri.
Upon completing her PhD at University College London (UCL), she served as an Honorary Research Fellow at UCL for several years. She is currently a guest lecturer for a postgraduate course on autism at Sheffield Hallam University/the National Autistic Society, and she is also a research partner with Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect).
For more information, visit her website.
What Previous Participants Shared
“I can’t recommend it enough. Solidly research based, fully referenced, delivered from a place of lived experience with profound awareness for the intersectionalities at play in this space. I’m really grateful that PBHP [Plant-Based Health Professionals UK] gave me the opportunity to find Kana – I have learned so much”
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“I find it really useful to start to have an analytical framework for these experiences- to help normalise, contextualise, and strategies from. For me that is such a powerful gift to share with neurodivergent people.
I also really like the emphasis on strengths based analyses alongside experienced challenges.”
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“I like Kana’s holistic approach: we are not just a brain, a body or emotions seen separately. We are a whole in our unique (but also brilliant & super interesting!) way of being in the world!... This information is already huge & could have a major impact on redefining the norm, provided it is spread widely. That's what this course does so thank you...”
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“I was more than surprised to discover this week just how closely physical issues are linked to neurodivergence... Realizing that pain, digestive disorders or extreme fatigue... might not be isolated problems but rather connected to a different body structure has completely shaken my beliefs.”
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“And as far as content goes: I had suspected it before, but this course really validated and confirmed that neurodiversity is a whole-person experience... these aspects of me being me, and us being us, are valuable!”
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“thank you all for being one of these places that embrace all of who we are 💚🩵💛”
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FAQ
What does neurodivergence mean in this course?
This course focuses on lifelong neurodivergences, including autism, ADHD, Tourette, dyslexia, and dyspraxia, with a particular emphasis on autism and ADHD throughout most of the topics discussed. It is important to note that Tourette, dyslexia, and dyspraxia often co-occur with autism and/or ADHD, and autism and ADHD frequently co-occur with each other. This interconnected perspective will provide valuable insights into the day-to-day experiences of neurodivergent individuals and the complexities they navigate.
I am interested in learning more about neurodivergence and its connection to health, but I currently know very little about the topic. Can I join this course?
Absolutely! This course is designed to welcome anyone with a willingness to learn, regardless of prior knowledge. We begin by explaining the basics of neurodivergence, including what it means and the characteristics of labels such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and Tourette. As long as you have an open mind and a desire to learn, you’ll find the content accessible and engaging.
Even if you are already familiar with neurodivergence, you will not be bored. You will hear many stories of lived experience, and the course will help you organize your existing knowledge in a more systematic way.
Whether you have prior knowledge of neurodivergence or are new to the subject, this comprehensive course offers valuable insights for everyone.
How long are each week’s videos?
They are about 1.5–2 hours each week.
Are the videos recordings from previous cohorts?
No! These are videos that Dr Kana specifically recorded and created for this cohort.
On what platform can I view the videos each week?
You will receive links to the Zoom recordings, and you will be able to access them there.
Will I receive a certification upon completing the program?
Yes. Participants who complete the seven-week course will receive a certification via email, which can be used as evidence of professional training or continuing education.
Is there a community element to the course?
Yes. The course offers a sense of community through a dedicated Discord space for this cohort, as well as live Q&A sessions that allow you to connect with others interested in neurodivergence.
What happens after I complete the pre-registration form for the course?
Once you complete the pre-registration form, we will send you a consent form where you will:
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Officially register for the course.
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Provide your PayPal-associated email address so we can send your invoice.
After your payment is processed, your spot in the course will be confirmed! You will also receive a reminder email about one week before the course begins.
How can I make a payment?
We will issue an invoice to the email address connected to your PayPal account. Once you receive the invoice, you can complete the payment via PayPal. The invoice can also be used for employer reimbursement for continuing education purposes.
Can the fees be refunded?
Unfortunately, due to handling fees, we cannot provide refunds. Please ensure you have checked all details before making a payment.
What if I'm interested in the course but anxious about taking it with strangers?
It's natural to feel anxious about interacting with strangers, especially for neurodivergent people. Dr Kana Grace understands this feeling and reassures you that the course offers not only learning opportunities but also a chance to connect with others who share an interest in neurodivergence, which can be reassuring and even life-changing.
Am I expected to share my personal experiences in the sessions?
You are not required to share personal experiences. You can choose to share insights, experiences, or questions, or simply listen to others. The most important thing is that you feel safe and comfortable.
Will I be able to ask questions during the live sessions?
Yes. Questions are welcome during the live sessions. Dr Kana Grace, who loves responding to questions, encourages participants to ask freely.
Will you accommodate my schedule so I can join the two optional live Q&A sessions?
We will make our best effort to ensure that participants who wish to join the live Q&A sessions are able to do so. To help with scheduling, we will send a poll to all participants and choose times that work for as many people as possible, considering different time zones. Please bear in mind that it may not be possible to fully align the schedule with one person’s individual preference, and we thank you in advance for your understanding.
I’m anxious about the reflection discussion in Week 7. What should I do?
The reflection session in Week 7 was actually suggested by participants from a previous cohort to give time to integrate their learnings. To support you, a set of guiding reflection questions will be provided in advance, and you’ll have a full week (Week 6) between the final lecture and the reflection session to process your thoughts.
By Week 7, many participants report feeling a sense of community, which helps ease anxiety about speaking. That said, there will be alternative ways to share your thoughts if verbal participation feels challenging.
Dr Kana is always open to your feedback. If there's anything that could help make your learning experience more comfortable or accessible, please don’t hesitate to contact us by email.
Do I need to keep my video on during the live sessions?
Please have your camera on for our reflection session in Week 7 and the optional live Q&A sessions. While we completely understand the unease some people feel about keeping their videos on, we hope that the dedicated and focused nature of these live sessions will help you feel comfortable participating.
Dr Kana asks this for two reasons:
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A sense of safety: For everyone in the room to feel safe, as online environments can feel less secure when we cannot see one another.
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A sense of connection: To help us all feel more connected with each other.
These points feel especially important because participants may choose to share personal experiences during the live sessions.
I saw that you previously offered this as a fully live online course. Do we get less content now that the lecture portion is offered as recordings?
Not at all! You will receive the same high-quality content as before. By offering the lectures as recordings, participants now have greater flexibility in their schedules while still engaging fully with the course material. We will also have dedicated live Q&A sessions for participants to ask questions and share their thoughts.
You won’t be missing anything — you’ll simply have more flexibility.
What should I do if I have questions that are not answered in the FAQ?
For any inquiries, please contact the course leader, Dr Kana Grace, at valtameri.grace@outlook.com.