Breaking Barriers: How Neurodiversity Unravelled is Transforming Neurodiversity Support
An Exclusive Interview with Louise Lawrence and Dr Rebecca Varrall, Co-Founders of Neurodiversity Unravelled
In a world where neurodivergence is often misunderstood, one company is changing the narrative. Neurodiversity Unravelled was founded with a simple yet powerful mission: to provide client-led, compassionate, and expert support for individuals and families navigating neurodivergent conditions. But this isn’t just another clinical service—it’s a movement to reshape how we understand and empower neurodivergent individuals.
Louise (Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist) and Dr Rebecca (Clinical Psychologist) shared their inspiration behind the company and how they’re making a real impact. Our team is made up of neurodivergent and neurotypical professionals Louise has a profile of dyslexia and ADHD which presents its own unique set of challenges and her ability to harness the strengths.
The Inspiration Behind the Mission
Q: What inspired you to start Neurodiversity Unravelled?
Rebecca Varrall: “It all started with a deep frustration at the way neurodivergent individuals are often assessed and supported. Too many families experience stress, and confusion when seeking help. We saw a need for a service that truly listens to clients, understands their unique strengths and challenges, and provides solutions that actually work for them—not just a one-size-fits-all medical model. We wanted to build something different—a service that values compassion as much as clinical expertise, and that truly empowers people to flourish in their environments. That’s how Neurodiversity Unravelled was born.”
A New Approach to Neurodiversity
Q: What makes your approach unique?
Louise Lawrence: “We take a holistic, client-led approach to neurodiversity assessments and support. Our goal isn’t just to diagnose but to provide individuals with a clear, strengths-based understanding of their profile. We then work to implement reasonable adjustments, targeted to their education setting or work environment that help them access their world with confidence.
Most importantly, we challenge the misconceptions and stereotypes that often surround neurodivergence. Instead of framing it as a ‘problem’ to be treated, we focus on empowerment, understanding, and long-term well-being.”
Empowering Individuals and Families
Q: How do you help families and individuals move forward after an assessment?
Dr Rebecca Varrall: “Understanding is everything. When individuals and their families truly begin to understand their neurodivergent profile, it can be life-changing, we have had clients say, ‘finally my life makes sense’. After detailed feedback from the assessment, we offer ongoing support, including supporting individuals and families to make sense of their diagnosis. We offer follow ups for families as their needs change over time so we provide parent consultations which provide a solution-based practical strategies, and tailored recommendations to ensure that they feel seen, supported, and equipped.
We also work with nurseries, schools, workplaces, and communities to foster environments where neurodivergent individuals can succeed without unnecessary barriers. It’s about shifting mindsets and creating inclusive spaces.”
Challenging the System, Changing Lives
Q: The traditional medical model of neurodiversity treatment is often rigid. How does Neurodiversity Unravelled break away from that?
Louise Lawrence: “The traditional approach and medical model tends to focus on deficits rather than strengths and often places unnecessary stress on individuals and families. We take the opposite approach. We focus on the whole person, not just a diagnosis. By prioritising understanding and individualised support, we’re able to make a real impact—without the outdated stigma or rigid labels that can limit people’s potential.”
Spreading the Word: How Neurodiversity Unravelled Created Brand Awareness
Q: How did you create awareness for your brand?
Louise Lawrence: “To date it has been all about word of mouth. Our work resonated with families, and they shared their personal experiences with others across the UK. The authenticity of their stories was more powerful than any marketing campaign could be. More recently we’ve started exploring PR to reach a wider audience. We want to share our message on a larger scale—helping more people understand the importance of compassionate, tailored neurodiversity support. It’s about making sure the right people hear our story and know that support is available.”
Funding & Scaling: Building a Sustainable Business
Q: What strategies helped you secure funding and scale your business?
Dr Rebecca Varrall: “We started with nothing—just a vision and a passion for change. Every decision we made was based on impact, not just profit. Now, as we look to expand, we have set up a Community Interest Company (CIC) and looking at how to develop this to ensure that families who cannot afford private services still get the support they need. Funding has always been a challenge, but in the future, we’re looking at grants, partnerships, and social enterprise models that align with our mission. The key is staying true to our core values while finding sustainable ways to grow.”
Celebrating Success & Overcoming Challenges
Q: What have been your biggest successes so far?
Dr Rebecca Varrall: “Seeing the direct impact on families and individuals has been our greatest success. Every time we hear that a child, parent, or individual finally feels understood and supported, we know we’re doing something right. Another milestone has been growing our team; we have a neurodiverse, multi-disciplinary team where we’ve built a community of passionate professionals who truly care about our mission. And now, we’re expanding our reach, which is incredibly exciting.”
Q: What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Louise Lawrence: ”Our biggest challenge remains around breaking through the misconceptions around neurodiversity specifically autism and ADHD. Many people still associate it with outdated stereotypes, and changing that narrative takes time. Language matters which is why we move away from the use of disorder in favour of difference.
Another challenge is accessibility—there are so many families who need our services but struggle to afford them. That’s why we’re working on alternative funding models to make sure no one is left behind.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of Neurodiversity Unravelled
Q: What are your plans for the future?
Louise Lawrence: Growth with purpose. We’re expanding our services, building partnerships with schools and workplaces, and increasing accessibility through our CIC model. Long term, we want to influence policy and be part of the movement toward a more inclusive society—where neurodivergent individuals are supported, valued, and given every opportunity to thrive.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring female entrepreneurs?
Louise Lawrence: Believe in your vision, even when others don’t fully understand it yet. Women in business often face additional barriers, but don’t let that stop you. Surround yourself with people who uplift and challenge you.
Also, don’t be afraid to take up space—your ideas, your leadership, and your impact matter.
Q: What are your top three tips for entrepreneurial success?
- Stay mission-driven. Don’t chase trends—focus on the impact you want to make.
- Build a strong network. The right connections and mentors can make all the difference.
- Be adaptable. Things won’t always go as planned—embrace change and keep moving forward.
Inspiration & Motivation
Q: Who are five people who inspire you the most, and why?
Louise Lawrence:
- Sienna Castellon – Neurodiversity Activist and Writer – She turned her neurodivergence into her strengths, using her deep focus and resilience to ignite a global movement and understanding of neurodiversity. She credits her autism for helping her see things in a straightforward, uncompromising way and she is not afraid to question the norm, showing how deep focus and creativity can lead to innovation. She is the founder of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, and demonstrates a commitment to create change and challenges old ideas. https://www.neurodiversityweek.com/
- Hannah Gadsby – Comedian & Writer, has used her platform to challenge societal norms and openly discuss her experiences as a neurodivergent person with autism and ADHD. Her Netflix special Nanette was groundbreaking in its raw, intelligent storytelling.
- Neurodivergent Lou – Is an award-winning writer, speaker and social media influencer who is providing helpful strategies to navigate everyday activities; including autistic burnout resource, apps for ADHD and Autism. She talks openly about her experience of finding a place as an autistic ADHD individual in a neurotypical world. https://linktr.ee/Neurodivergent_lou
- Michelle Obama – the positive impact she has had on so many young women’s self-perception and aspirations. Her Let Girls Learn initiative aimed to provide access to education for girls worldwide, believing that knowledge is the key to breaking cycles of poverty and oppression.
- Anna Kennedy – we have been fans of Anna’s for many years, she is a passionate disability/neurodiversity campaigner who has worked to provide improved education and other services and support for children and adults. The annual Autism’s Got Talent event is a highlight of the year! She is the founder of charity: https://annakennedyonline.com/ .
Q: What are your favourite inspirational or motivational quotes?
- “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
- “Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.” ― Sara Blakely
Neurodiversity Unravelled is redefining how individuals and families navigate neurodivergence. With a client-led approach, they provide compassionate and expert support without the stigma and stress of traditional medical models. But building a mission-driven company from the ground up is no easy feat. from creating awareness and scaling the business to overcoming challenges.
As Neurodiversity Unravelled continue to grow, one thing is clear: their work is making a real and lasting impact on the neurodivergent community.
What’s Next for Neurodiversity Unravelled?
Q: What’s your vision for the future?
Dr Rebecca Varrall: “We’re expanding our services, building new partnerships, and continuing to advocate for a more inclusive approach to neurodiversity. Our goal is to reach more families and individuals who need support…Ultimately, we want to create a world where neurodivergent individuals don’t just “cope” but thrive—where they feel understood, valued, and fully supported in every stage of life.”
Final Thoughts
Q: If you had one message for families and individuals navigating neurodivergence, what would it be?
Louise Lawrence: “You are not alone, and you don’t need to fit into anyone else’s expectations. Neurodivergence is not a limitation—it’s a different way of experiencing the world, and with the right support, you can unlock incredible potential. We’re here to help you do just that.”
Neurodiversity Unravelled isn’t just offering assessments—we provide needs-led neurodiversity support and as more families turn to us for guidance, one thing is clear: the future of neurodivergence care is finally putting individuals first.
Q: Where can our readers connect with you?
Our website is: https://neurodiversityunravelled.com/
You can find us on Instagram
: https://www.instagram.com/neurodiversity.unravelled/or Linked In https://uk.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-varrall-a40174165 and https://uk.linkedin.com/in/louise-lawrence-7a665321
