Assess and Educate

Neurodevelopmental Consultant, Assessor and Mentor   

(Dyslexia – Autism – ADHD)

ADI-R; ADOS-2; ACIA; SpLD Level 7; PGCE; PEERS Certified Trainer (UCLA PEERS Clinic Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behaviour); DBT Skills Provider (British Isles DBT Training 26272020); CELTA.         

About Karen Cowan

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

  • ORGANISATIONS:
    D&I Training in Neuroinclusion
    Mentoring for Neurodivergent Employees
  • SCHOOLS:
    Access Arrangement Assessments
    Access Arrangement Consultation
    Neurodiversity Celebration Events
    Independent SEND Review
    SEND Consultation
    INSET for staff:
    • Neuroinclusion
    • Dyslexia
    • ADHD
    • Autism / Autism and Girls
  • INDIVIDUALS:
    Bespoke one-to-one and small group support provided for:
    children (age 4+)
    young people (11-17)
    adults
  • Pre-diagnostic consultations
  • School observations
  • SpLD Assessments (Dyslexia)
  • ADOS-2 Assessments (Autism)
  • Post-diagnostic consultations
  • Mentoring
  • Dyslexia specialist tuition
  • Study Skills
    for Neurodivergent young people
  • DBT Skills Provider
  • Communication Styles Programme (PEERS Programme – adapted with a Neuroaffirming ethos)

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 also screens for ADHD using the QbCheck, contributing to formal diagnostic assessments carried out by relevant health professionals.

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

Karen Cowan – Neurodevelopmental Consultant Assessor, Mentor and Trainer

BA (Hons) PGCE, SpLD L7, ADI-R, ADOS-2, ACIA v3, QbCheck.

British Psychological Society GMBPsS, Patoss, Dyslexia Guild

UCLA, Clinic Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behaviour: PEERS (in-person & online Social Skills Provider)
DBT trained: British Isles & PsychWireUCLA PEERS Provider
University of Sussex: Social Psychology (BA Hons)
PGCE: DFEE No. 00 / 46945; CELTA