Dr Jo Black

Hi! I’m Jo, and I am a research psychologist, autistic person, and mum to a neurodivergent child.

It’s easy to end up socially isolated as a neurodivergent person, or as a parent of a neurodivergent person. I want to create a space for neurodivergent people to find not only specialised mental health support, but also each other; to create a space of belonging without masking; and to bring our ND tribe together.

I have been working in various roles with children and adults with autism, ADHD, mental health difficulties, and learning disabilities since 2009.

I have a PhD in autism research from the University of Bath, and spent three years after this researching language processing in autism at the University of Kent. I have published peer reviewed papers on language processing in autistic adults.

After this, I left academia to move into a more clinical field. I then worked for five years in one of the UK’s leading providers of neurodevelopmental assessments.

I was trained in research reliable administration and coding of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) in 2016, and have conducted many ADOS assessments as part of research with adults, and clinical assessments for children and young people. I have also worked as an assistant psychologist supporting autism and ADHD assessments, and working with neurodivergent people

My clinical work at The ND Harbour is supervised by an HCPC registered clinical psychologist.

Roisin Arnold

Hello! I’m Roisin, Mum to two autistic boys and a former primary school teacher. My current work is a mixture of providing lived experience expertise to a neurodevelopmental assessment provider and facilitating peer education to parents of autistic children.

I worked in primary education with children aged 3-11 for over a decade. I’ve had the privilege of working with many autistic children and children with learning difficulties. I stepped away from the classroom to care for my two young boys. During my sons’ early years, it became apparent that they were autistic. As a result, I have personal experience of navigating the systems for diagnosis and getting an EHCP.

I’m passionate about education and supporting neurodivergent children in the early years. One of my sons is non-speaking and this has led me to reflect on how important it is to embrace a Total Communication approach. I feel strongly that neurodivergent people, across all levels of support needs, must have the right opportunities to find joy in learning and new experiences.

Neurodivergent people must thrive, not just survive. I believe The ND Harbour will create a space for neurodivergent people to receive the high-quality support and opportunities they deserve.

Liz Davis

Liz is a very fortunate mum to two teenagers in my 24/7 role and a part-time film and tv lawyer during the day.

My daughter is neurodivergent and has an ASD diagnosis, and I took on a role as an "Expert by Experience" about a year ago in the neurodevelopmental service where she is seen.

I am passionate about trying to improve the support available to those who are neurodivergent or caring for those who are. My own experiences show me how difficult it is to navigate the system, how tricky it can be to get support, how long wait lists can be even once initial help is accessed and how hard it is for others to understand what it feels like to have a neurodivergent child. I am also aware of the extreme day to day challenges (as well as the joys) that being a parent to a neurodivergent child can present. The ND Harbour is an incredible opportunity to get involved with something amazing right from the start and help make a real difference.

In between mum and lawyering duties I enjoy gardening, cooking, films and playing tennis. The children and I are also animal mad - we have three rescue cats, some elderly saved sheep and also regularly take in injured or orphaned hedgehogs!

Chloe Apter

Hi, I'm Chloe. My interest in neurodivergence is personal, professional, and academic.

I'm an autistic ADHDer with long-term mental illnesses caused by trauma. I know all too well about what poor care responses can look like, but I have also experienced the power of neuroaffirming support, be it in the form of individual psychotherapy or peer support.

I began my career working in publishing, editing and writing for mental health, learning disability, and autism magazines. I also worked in a frontline service supporting people who are autistic and have a learning disability with high support needs in most areas. I then worked in a Local Authority EHCP team, writing EHCPs and having a caseload of children/young people/families I supported. After a stint working to create co-produced video content about long-term health conditions, I joined University College London's Co-Production Collective. In this role, I worked on a national NHS England programme bringing accessible ear checks to residential special schools for students who are autistic and/or have a learning disability. Now, I work as a Commissioner for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities at a Local Authority and Integrated Care Board.

I am also studying for an MSc in Psychology and Learning Disability on a course that explicitly takes a critical perspective of the medical model of disability, offering more neuroaffirming, societally-rooted perspectives of neurodivergence.

When I'm not doing my "day job" or studying, I still do some work in the co-production field, be it delivering training or facilitating/chairing events. I can often be found walking my dog, hanging out with my cat, and frequenting vegan restaurants in my spare time.

Natalia Duncan

Natalia is Chartered Accountant with nearly 20 years of experience in audit, risk management, governance, and compliance. Throughout her career, she has held various leadership positions across multiple industries and served as a Risk Committee Chair for several years.

Natalia is passionate about mental health and dedicated to support women through significant life transitions, including family dynamics, peri-menopause, and menopause. As a mental health ally and menopause champion at work, Natalia finds fulfilment in supporting and empowering others.

I am super happy to join NDHarbour as a trustee Treasurer where I can leverage both my professional expertise and personal experiences to make a meaningful impact in supporting the charity start up during such a crucial stage.