A new toolkit to support professionals working with neurodivergent men who commit domestic abuse has been launched by our Department of Sociology's Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse (CRiVA).
The NDiDA Practice toolkit offers practical help to work safely, effectively and inclusively with neurodivergent men, especially those who are autistic and/or ADHD.
The toolkit is based on our research, with input from neurodivergent people, neurodivergent-led organisations and domestic abuse specialists.
Victim-survivor-centred approach
The NDiDA Practice toolkit aims to fill a gap in confidence, training and practical guidance reported by professionals who deal with neurodivergent clients.
In doing so, it takes a victim-survivor-centred approach that does not excuse abuse.
It is designed to be used by services delivering domestic abuse perpetrator interventions, programmes and criminal justice and community-based work.
It also supports voluntary and charitable organisations providing help to individuals and families.
Work in neuroinclusive ways
The toolkit helps practitioners to work in neuroinclusive ways with neurodivergent men who are attending domestic abuse perpetrator programmes.
It explores how neurodivergence and domestic abuse can intersect, and translates evidence into practical tools.
It also includes ways of supporting practitioners to gain understanding around sensory awareness, predictability, communication and empathy within interventions, as well as guidance on neuroinclusive environments and workplaces.
Professionals can then adapt interventions to better meet client needs.
The focus is on making adjustments that are realistic in day-to-day work while enhancing safety for victim-survivors.
Supporting behaviour change
Our researchers have examined neurodivergence, domestic abuse and criminal justice interventions in the UK and internationally.
Central to their work is ensuring that neurodivergence is never used as a reason or excuse for domestic abuse.
It introduces tools for practitioners to challenge when violence and abuse is attributed to being neurodivergent while offering practical guidance to support clients to engage in meaningful behavioural change.
