About Me
I am Viv Dawes, a late-identified and diagnosed autistic and ADHD lived experience advocate, writer and trainer. I am also the parent of a ND teenager. I am not a medical professional but have over 25 years’ experience of working with vulnerable young people and adults, who were mostly neurodivergent. I have many years’ experience in delivering training, online and face to face workshops, management of programmes and have vast experience and understanding of how to work with vulnerable young people and adults.
For 7 years I worked as an NHS Senior Practitioner, managing teams of forensic drug workers and after this ran my own addiction recovery programme for 10 years, which helped many people achieve recovery from addiction.
I run a parents support group in Aldershot, Hampshire (UK), for parents of autistic teenagers and contributed to the Hampshire Autism Strategy on Autistic Burnout. I have been a keynote speaker at various events and will be speaking on Autistic Burnout at The London Autism Show in June 2024.
I am insured and GDPR compliant.
'Understanding Autistic Burnout Workbook'
For Autistic Adults
(recently updated)
Available on Amazon
This workbook is the first of its kind available to purchase either by downloading it from my shop as a PDF, or by purchasing it from Amazon as a book.
The book has had a profound effect upon many people, who have finally understood why their child or they themselves have struggled with school, university, work etc and were perhaps told it was a breakdown. Many autistic and AuDHD (autistic and ADHD) folk have ended up being misdiagnosed and prescribed medication for depression and often put on anti psychotic medication. Many have tried counselling and various therapies and nothing has helped. Burnout does not respond to typical therapy and medication may often not help. Lifestyle changes are often what is required and looking at issues such as masking, demanding environments and what is contributing to sensory overload.
The book is suitable for autistic adults, parents of autistic children and professionals working with autistic people.
My Services
Resources to purchase. Buy tickets for an online or face to face workshop. Book a 121 meeting. Training for professionals/organisations, including schools
My new book for parents now also available as a download
or to purchase on Amazon
An A4 book specifically aimed at parents of autistic (and other ND) children, regarding understanding burnout
121 online meeting with Viv. This is not counselling or therapy. I am not able to give advice on legal matters regarding EHCPs, tribunals or court cases.
Online meetings with me are for adults seeking information and guidance regarding diagnosis, autistic burnout, recovery, etc. I can meet with parents, carers, professionals, but I do not work with children.
One to One meetings with Viv
Online Webinars
Training for professionals/organisations
Online or F2F training
Prices start at £175
Webinar Recordings Available
Increase your understanding of Autistic Burnout, recovery from burnout, meltdowns (schoolchildren), Menopause and burnout and Extreme Burnout Crisis (adults) etc, by purchasing access to webinar recordings. A one-off payment gives you access for one year to a webinar plan. There is a parents plan and an autistic adults plan.
