Understanding Neurodiversity in Grassroots Football

Understanding Neurodiversity in Grassroots Football is a comprehensive training course designed to educate coaches, players, referees, parents/carers and volunteers involved in grassroots football on supporting neurodiverse players and their families.

Learn strategies for:

• understanding ND conditions
• identifying needs and triggers
• adapting training and communication methods
• managing match-day scenarios
• addressing misconceptions
• building inclusivity

While helping neurotypical individuals understand the challenges faced by players with ADHD, autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.

Equip yourself and your club with the tools to create a more inclusive, supportive, successful and safe football environment.

• Adapting Training Methods: Simple adjustments to drills and feedback to accommodate neurodiverse needs. 

• Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria: Understanding RSD is, how to identify it on the football pitch and how to support players with RSD. 

• Communication Techniques: How to communicate effectively with neurodiverse players. 

• Pre-match Preparation for ND Players: Tips and examples on how to inform ND players about match day details in advance.  

• Handling Difficult Situations: Dealing with outbursts or inattentiveness empathetically and constructively.

• Pre-kick off factfinding: How gathering information directly from coaches can lead referees to better manage game situations.  

• Recognising Neurodiverse Behaviours in Games: What behaviours might be linked to ADHD, Autism and other conditions. 

• Inclusive Officiating: Balancing adherence to the rules with an understanding of neurodiverse needs, ensuring all players can participate fairly and comfortably.

• Dealing with overstimulation and/or distress: Examples of when this can happen with simple techniques to assist players if it does.  

• Parental Perspectives – Supporting Families and Fellow Players: Empathising with parents/carers of neurodiverse players and understanding their challenges. 

• Team Dynamics: Helping neurotypical players understand and support neurodiverse teammates. 

• Understanding ND Behaviours and Promoting Empathy: Empowering people to educate others to reduce common judgement and to understand the challenges ND players/parents/carers face.  

• Group Discussions: Delegates share their experiences and discuss solutions. 

• Q&A Session: Participants can ask questions specific to their roles (e.g., referees handling on-pitch behaviour). 

• Interventions and Supports: The latest evidence-based approaches to supporting neurodiverse individuals in sports. 

• Referrals: Signposting to organisations that can further assist around neurodiversity.