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.