AuDHD Online Summit 2026 – Day 1 Highlights
22 February 2026
Day 1 of the AuDHD Online Summit 2026 brought together leading voices in neurodiversity to explore ADHD, Autism, and their overlap through clinical insight, research, and lived experience.
The day featured powerful presentations from:
Dr Tony Lloyd
Dr Zulijana Anastasova Mikic
Jane Green MBE FCCT
Below is a recap of the key themes from Day 1.
Neurodiversity and Societal Change
Dr Tony Lloyd
Dr Tony Lloyd opened the Summit with a compelling keynote on the neurodiversity movement and its impact on how we understand ADHD, Autism, and other neurodevelopmental differences.
He emphasised the critical shift:
From a deficit-based model
To a strength-based perspective
Neurodiversity reframes ADHD and Autism as natural variations in human cognition rather than disorders to be corrected. Dr Lloyd highlighted the evolutionary importance of diverse neurotypes and challenged narrow definitions of intelligence and ability.
He also discussed:
The mismatch between neurodivergent individuals and systems designed for neurotypical norms
The need for reform in education
Psychological safety in schools and workplaces
The importance of flexible diagnostic frameworks
Recognising ADHD: The Seen, the Unseen, and the In-Between
Dr Zulijana Anastasova Mikic
Dr Mikic explored the complexity of ADHD presentations through three themes:
The Seen – classic, textbook ADHD traits
The Unseen – internalised traits, masking, and camouflaging
The In-Between – the overlap between ADHD and Autism
She stressed that recognition is not about perfect classification, but about:
Giving people language
Creating access to support
Encouraging self-compassion
Particular attention was given to the under-recognition of ADHD in women and girls, and the limitations of relying solely on structured assessment tools without holistic clinical context.
Her presentation called for more compassionate, neuroaffirmative models of care that focus on identity integration and environmental adaptation.
Neurodivergence and Physical Health Connections
Jane Green MBE FCCT
Jane Green highlighted the strong links between neurodivergence and physical health, particularly hypermobility conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
She addressed:
Diagnostic overshadowing
Fragmentation between physical and mental healthcare
The need to view ADHD as part of a broader syndromal picture
Jane advocated for earlier intervention, improved training for professionals, and greater integration across healthcare and education systems to better support neurodivergent individuals across the lifespan.
Key Message from Day 1
Day 1 reinforced a central theme:
Neurodivergence is diversity — not deficit.
However, systems must evolve to provide holistic, compassionate, and integrated support that reflects the complexity of real lives.
🎥 Watch the Full Day 1 Recording
If you missed the live event, you can now access the Day 1 recordings for £15.
🔗 Purchase access here:
https://summit.adhd-clinics.co.uk
For any queries, please email: summit@adhd-clinics.co.uk
#AuDHD #ADHD #Autism #Neurodiversity #OnlineSummit #InclusiveLearning
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