Blog
Neurodiversity and Military Hierarchy: Thriving as a Neurodivergent RAF Officer
Neurodiversity and the military are not often spoken about together. I'm sometimes asked, being late diagnosed autistic and ADHD, how did I cope as a former officer in the Royal Air Force? How did I cope in such a rigid, rank-based system?
It’s assumed that hierarchy must be intolerable for neurodivergent people, but the reality is far more nuanced.
My Review of The Willows in Lincoln, a Specialist School for Children With Autism or Similar Needs.
I recently visited The Willows school in Lincoln on its open day and enjoyed a guided tour to see the amenities. This independent specialist school is due to open imminently (as of January 2026) for a small cohort and will be open to pupils between 5 and 15 years of age. As a neurodivergent person, I strongly believe in the importance of education which caters primarily to the individual rather than the establishment and The Willows did not disappoint. The staff were caring, the facilities inviting, and the school offers a learning approach which is adaptable. Children will need a specialist Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and advice is to start the process early.