KAREN COWAN

Neurodevelopmental Consultant, Assessor and Mentor

Assess & Educate

assessandeducate@gmail.com

+44 7961 352 127

QUALIFICATIONS & CERTIFICATES

Karen is professionally qualified to assess and diagnose specific learning difficulties (eg. Dyslexia). She is an Autism Assessor as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), specialising in internal presentation of neurodivergent children and adults. Karen’s assessments and reports comply with the latest SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC) guidance.

In addition to keeping up with the latest developments, Karen holds the following:

  • Presenter, Facilitator, Consultant - National Autistic Society: Trainer Programme

  • Trainer - Autistic Girls Network

  • Certified PEERS Provider (UCLA)

  • Certified DBT Skills Provider (British Isles)

  • ADOS-2 Administrator (Autism assessment)

  • ADI-R Administrator (Autism assessment)

  • Level 7 SpLD Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Assessing Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia). APC Specialism: Dysgraphia

  • Level 5 Certificate in Teaching Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties

  • PGCE (specialism: Multilingual Classrooms)

  • Professional Membership of PATOSS

  • Membership of the Dyslexia Guild

  • Professional Member of the British Psychological Society

  • DBS (Enhanced)

  • Professional Indemnity Insurance

About karen

Karen Cowan is a Neurodevelopmental Consultant, Assessor, Mentor and Specialist Teacher, with 30 years of teaching experience and 6 years' experience as SENCO.

Fully comprehensive cognitive assessments; Autism assessments ADI-R & ADOS-2; & SpLD Levels 5 & 7: dyslexia.

With a Neuro-affirming approach to her practice, Karen ensures that strengths are identified and unnecessary barriers to thriving are removed, in all areas of life: education, the workplace, at home and beyond.

With a background of over 30 years in teaching as a Specialist Teacher (PATOSS & Dyslexia Guild), SENCO, Access Arrangement Expert, and Assessor, Karen combines a wealth of professional experience and personal insights to support children, young people, adults, and their families. She is a passionate advocate for Neurodivergent individuals of all ages whose needs are not visible (internal profiles).

Karen is a recognised training provider for the National Autistic Society and the Autism Girls Network. She runs groups for young people and for adults, combining her UCLA-training as a PEERS Provider (for children, schools, adolescents and adults) and DBT Skills Provider (adolescents, young adults and families). Karen integrates these evidence-based approaches to support Neurodivergent children and young people, sensitively guiding them towards greater awareness of their strengths and how to self-advocate most effectively.

ADI-R; ADOS-2; Specific Learning Difficulties Assessor (SpLD Level 7), Dyslexia Guild; Patoss; Neurodivergent Mentor; GMBPsS;

PGCE DFEE No: 00 / 46965; DBT Skills Provider (British Isles DBT Training 26272020); PEERS Certified Trainer, UCLA PEERS Clinic Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behaviour; CELT.

services

  • D&I Training in Neuroinclusion

    Mentoring for Neurodivergent Employees

  • Access Arrangement Assessments

    Access Arrangement Consultation

    Neurodiversity Celebration Events

    Independent SEND Review

    SEND Consultation

    INSET for staff:

    • Neuroinclusion

    • Dyslexia

    • ADHD

    • Autism / Autism and Girls

  • Bespoke one-to-one and small group support provided for:

    • children (age 4+)

    • young people (11-17)

    • adults:

    PRE-DIAGNOSTIC CONSULTATIONS

    COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT

    SPLD ASSESSMENTS (DYSLEXIA)

    NEURODEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENT (ADOS-2: Autism)

    SCHOOL OBSERVATIONS

    POST-DIAGNOSTIC CONSULTATIONS

    MENTORING

    DYSLEXIA SPECIALIST TUITION

    STUDY SKILLS

    DBT SKILLS

    COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Double Empathy, Masking and Social Customs

  • with a holistic approach to identifying the strengths & needs of an individual - in addition to support and diagnostic pathway recommendations.  

  • these can be used as additional evidence to support applications for an EHCP

  • Autism is assessed as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

  • (for children, young people, adults and their families)

  • specialising in masked presentations of Neurodivergent conditions

  • for Neurodivergent young people