Elizabeth de Mello

Hello, I’m Liz, occupational therapist and vocational specialist with a wealth of experience from over 30 years working with adults & young people with additional needs.

Specialist Occupational Therapist
MSc Occupational Therapy; PG Cert Careers Guidance, HCPC registration.

I am passionate about enabling autistic people to participate fully in mainstream life – we can thrive in almost any setting given appropriate support and necessary adaptations. Many of us have co-occurring neurodivergent conditions (such as ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia), sensory sensitivities or alexithymia; health issues such as chronic pain and fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, and anxiety disorders are also common. I work in collaboration with you to understand your specific challenges, abilities and priorities, helping you modify activities and adapt the environment to meet your needs.

Since 2018 I’ve worked for an NHS adult neurodevelopmental diagnostic service. I'm aware how little post-diagnostic guidance is on offer, so my aim is to provide holistic autism-specific 1:1 specialist occupational therapy & vocational guidance to enable you to live your best life at home, at work – and everywhere else.

My own journey as an autistic person navigating the pressures of demanding workplaces (clinics, colleges, schools, prisons, charities & community outreach), and of helping hundreds of neurodivergent clients overcome challenges, has taught me above all that a diagnosis is just a starting point. It can be a springboard to self-understanding, self-compassion, self-advocacy and self-actualisation.

My approach is solution-focused and adapted to your unique needs. For example we may focus on overcoming everyday or workplace difficulties; or energy management and how to avoid burnout; or managing sensory issues; or dealing with change - starting work or uni, retiring, moving home, starting a family or embarking on a new relationship. Do you have difficult time communicating your needs to medical professionals, or within the family, at work or in education? We can work on strategies to ensure you get the right kind of support, to enable you to form realistic, achievable plans for a positive future.

Email for further details, prices, T&C's, or to arrange a free initial chat: OTonthespectrum@protonmail.com

I work remotely by video call and phone.