A much-needed step forward – a key handbook for neuro-inclusive social work. Written by people with direct experience who truly know what they are talking about, this book sets out a new paradigm for social work with neurodiverse people. Essential reading for all social work students, practitioners, policy makers and service users.
- Peter Beresford OBE Visiting Professor, University of East Anglia, UK and Chair of Shaping Our Lives, the UK service user and disabled people’s organisation.
This handbook brings together experts by lived experience, educators, practitioners and researchers to present a transformative, neuro-inclusive approach to social work. Emphasizing the importance of developing and implementing neuroaffirmative perspectives in social work education, practice, and research, it advocates for neuro-inclusive and equitable social work practice with neurodivergent people who access social work services and those who provide them.
This groundbreaking volume delves into critical themes, including the role of neurodivergent social workers, the impact of systemic conditions, epistemic injustice, and the importance of culturally sensitive community-informed research. Offering recommendations, reflexive activity and frameworks, this handbook is essential reading and an invaluable resource for students, educators, academics, practitioners and researchers in social work and related professions.
Hanna Bertilsdotter Rosqvist is Professor in Social Work at Karlstad University, Sweden, with expertise in neurodiversity and neurodivergence. She edited The Palgrave Handbook of Research Methods and Ethics in Neurodiversity Studies (with D. Jackson-Perry) published in 2024.
Lesley Deacon is Associate Professor of Practice Research at the University of Sunderland, UK. Her areas of interest are neurodiversity and practice research, particularly safeguarding and lived experience of parent-carers.
Jenni Guthrie is Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Winchester, Uk, Doctoral Researcher in Social Work and Social Care at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, and director of Neuro Inclusive Solutions.
All three editors are neurodivergent.
This handbook brings together experts by lived experience, educators, practitioners and researchers to present a transformative, neuro-inclusive approach to social work. Emphasizing the importance of developing and implementing neuroaffirmative perspectives in social work education, practice, and research, it advocates for neuro-inclusive and equitable social work practice with neurodivergent people who access social work services and those who provide them.
This groundbreaking volume delves into critical themes, including the role of neurodivergent social workers, the impact of systemic conditions, epistemic injustice, and the importance of culturally sensitive community-informed research. Offering recommendations, reflexive activity and frameworks, this handbook is essential reading and an invaluable resource for students, educators, academics, practitioners and researchers in social work and related professions.
Hanna Bertilsdotter-Rosqvist
Disability Studies Neurodiversity Affirming Approach Social Work Theory Research Methods Social Work Ethics Neurodivergent Clients Neurodivergent Social Workers Social Work and Community Development Education, Practice and Research in Neuroinclusive Social Work