The NDP Approach

Jessica Dark is a psychologist, inclusion specialist, and community researcher. As Lead Practitioner at ND Perspective (NDP), she works across research, education, and business to embed inclusion from early-stage research through to the delivery of products, services, and programmes, providing support grounded in neurodiversity, inclusion, and innovation.

Her approach recognises and values different ways of thinking, learning, and experiencing the world, and is intentionally designed to meet the diverse needs of neurodivergent people.

Through NDP, Jess creates environments where people feel understood, respected, and empowered to explore their identity and potential. Inclusion is not an add-on; it is a core principle embedded at every level of support, with a strong focus on accessibility, flexibility, and genuine relevance.

Jess’s practice is guided by neuro-affirming principles, shaped by lived experience, and informed by evidence. She believes effective support should evolve with each person—responding to their context, choices, and goals. Innovation, in her work, means listening deeply, remaining open to new ideas, and thoughtfully challenging outdated assumptions.

Connection and collaboration sit at the heart of NDP. Jess prioritises strong relationships, fosters psychological safety, and supports growth in meaningful, sustainable, and aligned ways with each person’s values.

At its core, NDP is about belonging—creating supportive and inclusive spaces where neurodivergent people can thrive as their authentic selves.

What is Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is a community-informed concept that recognises and celebrates the natural variation in how human brains function. It reframes neurological differences such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and mental health differences as part of the broad spectrum of human diversity. This inclusive perspective highlights the value that diverse ways of thinking bring to society, workplaces, and communities.

Neurodiversity acknowledges the challenges that many neurodivergent people face, while advocating for environments that support everyone to flourish. This approach emphasises the importance of shifting societal attitudes and creating systems that enable people to reach their full potential by valuing their strengths and addressing barriers when they occur.

About our Founder Jessica Dark

I am Jess, founder of ND Perspective Community. I have an academic background in psychology and education. I have expertise spanning a PhD in Organisational Psychology (ongoing), a Master's in Special Educational Needs (graded at distinction), and a Postgraduate Certificate in Communication Science.

As an early career researcher, I focus on autism inclusion in education and the workplace and inclusive research methods. I am working on a book that addresses neurodivergence and holistic wellbeing, blending my academic knowledge, personal experiences, and community insights.

When I was diagnosed as autistic in adulthood, I asked what support was available. The answer was disheartening: there was nothing for people like me. I didn’t fit the mould for the typical “this is autism” courses, but I still needed guidance to understand myself, manage work, navigate my home life, and build self-care routines. That moment stayed with me, and I couldn’t stop thinking: How can anyone thrive without support?

The problem is that many existing services take a narrow approach to support, focusing primarily on workplace accommodations or behavioural adaptations. This overlooks the diversity of neurodivergence and how different environments shape experiences, challenges, and strengths. Consequently, even well-meaning strategies and accommodations often fall short, offering limited and unsustainable solutions that do not support success across all areas of life.

This is why I created NDP: so all neurodivergent people have a supportive space to connect with our neurodivergent community and learn about neurodivergence and holistic self-care. At NDP, we are not just addressing gaps in support - we are a grassroots initiative challenging mainstream approaches and informing well-being supports for neurodivergent people from the ground up!