DIFFERabled raises awareness about neuro-diversity through Karen Dunbar's School of RAP.

Staff and volunteers from DIFFERabled are looking back with pride following a successful session with the much-loved Karen Dunbar’s ‘School of Rap’.

Held in the Possilpark area, staff and volunteers were delighted to have the opportunity to create a RAP (rhythm and poetry) with Karen Dunbar, and the Glasgow Girls Club. Together the group created an entertaining yet striking piece highlighting the challenges which parents, carers and neuro-divergent young people face daily.

Deborah Best, Director of DIFFERabled, said “We had a brilliant time, enabling us to express our thoughts and feelings in a fun and inclusive environment. We work hard to champion the rights of the neurodivergent community locally, so this was a great opportunity to take a break and enjoy creating a rap highlighting some of the challenges.

Thank you to ng homes, Karen Dunbar and Amy Rew from The Glasgow Girls Club for the opportunity to raise awareness for neurodiversity (Autism, ADHD, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia etc). We are so pleased to be a partner organisation with ng homes and together develop more opportunities for our community.”

The project was part of an ongoing partnership between ng homes and DIFFERabled who work to ensure the local North Glasgow community are aware of (neuro-divergent) conditions, of the difficulties experienced, and have access to information and support available. These include Dyslexia, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dyspraxia, and ADHD to name a few.

DIFFERabled have also been involved with recent ng homes’ Community Information and Advice Open Days held at Saracen House offering information on support available and highlighting the training available to help professionals and families.

Plans for the partnership include training by DIFFERabled in June to help promote knowledge and understanding of the current issues hosted by ng homes. Further information, including upcoming dates, will be made available on the ng homes website.

More on DIFFERabled

DIFFERabled provides a frontline support, training and information service for parents and carers of neurodivergent children and young people with Dyslexia, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dyspraxia, ADHD, Dyscalculia and Sensory Processing Disorder. They also support neurodivergent adults (pre- and post-diagnosis) and run bi-monthly adult friendship groups and social lunch meetups.

DIFFERabled aim to raise awareness of the strengths and challenges of being neuro-divergent within our communities, offering a rolling programme of free training, support/information groups and wellbeing opportunities for parents and carers to identify support strategies for their loved ones. They also provide a friendship group and training for adults with neuro-developmental conditions to support them to explore their neurodiversity, whilst identifying strategies and support.

DIFFERabled will be running Supporting Autism and Neurodiversity Awareness (SAND) training in June at the Bob Allan Conference Centre, Saracen House. This training is intended for those working closely within our communities to create better understanding and meaningful inclusion. Those who would benefit from attending this training include educators (all levels), social care workers, emergency responders, NHS employees, local business owners and employees and Third Sector staff.

For further information on the training, please contact Jo at differabled@gmail.com