What is neurodiversity? What makes a practice neuro affirming?
Join us at The Neurodiversity MENA Podcast, the first in the region dedicated to raising awareness, promoting understanding, and reducing stigma around neurodiversity. Hosted by a team of neurodivergent adults, advocates, and parents of neurodiverse children, we bring you lived experiences of autism, ADHD, PDA, and more. We are committed to bringing you the best practices that affirm all our neurotypes, neurotypical or otherwise. We firmly believe there are no one-size-fits-all solutions, and all our differing strengths add to the world. Whether you’re navigating neurodiversity yourself, advocating for a loved one, looking to make your practice more neuro affirming, or curious to learn more, the Neurodiversity Podcast MENA offers a platform for learning, understanding, and connection.
Expert People
Our Team
Shija is a parent to two neurodivergent children and is passionate about unconventional schooling using strength-based approaches, customizing their education to fit her children’s strengths and interests. She collaborates with parent groups to support neurodivergent children and mentors parents one-on-one, while supporting her family business. Her academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, an MBA in operations management, a certificate in twice-exceptional education, and an MS in organizational psychology with a focus on neurodiversity in the Workplace.
A former content marketing professional, Piya is now a stay-at-home parent to two children, one of whom is neurodivergent. A passionate reader, she enjoys researching and reading about neurodiversity. Her interactions with like-minded parents and learning about uniquely wired children have inspired her to empower and advocate for them.
With an MBA in Marketing, Piya is keen to explore academic pursuits in Psychology, Inclusion & Special Needs. A freelance writer, Piya’s articles have been published in parenting blogs and e-zines. She has also self published her first children’s e-book on Amazon.
Piya Jayarajan
Sona Yusefzai
Sona is a mother of three children, one of whom is neurodivergent. She believes in teaching through a natural environment-led approach and body-mind coordination, which has really helped her son achieve his goals. Sona is actively involved in setting up all of her son’s physical, educational, cooking, and art activities. As a part of her advocacy, Sona shares her knowledge and experience with other parents of neurodivergent children. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and is currently working on obtaining a PhD in Psychology. Sona is also an entrepreneur running a business of modest and modern clothes with customized tailoring service.
Sylwia is a neurodivergent mum, artist, and Polish-qualified art therapist, as well as the author and illustrator of Luna the Curious Cat, a neurodiversity-affirming children’s book. With a background in psychology, neuropsychology, and art therapy, she uses creativity as a tool for connection, self-expression, and inclusion.
Formerly active in modelling and media, she now focuses on mental health advocacy and supporting diverse families and caregivers through her work with an NGO. Sylwia is dedicated to reframing how we understand one another and creating spaces where every mind is valued.
Heidi Frost
Heidi is a child rights advocate, parent, autistic person, and a writer. Her fiction has appeared in the National, the Blotter, and her articles have appeared in several lifestyle magazines and the Emirates Airlines Festival of Literature blog. She has done research, content curation, editing, and proofreading for a number of publications across the globe.
Hina has done her MBBS, from Islamabad, Pakistan. As a doctor, Hina has worked as an ICU Medical Officer in Pakistan. She is a mother of one, pursuing her Masters NLP certification in Dubai, UAE, as well as volunteering for Educast, an online medical platform in Pakistan. Hina is passionate about spreading awareness about mental health and neurodiversity, and helping neurodivergent families advocate for themselves.
Hina Shahzad
Karen is a self- identified neurodivergent, parenting two neurodivergent children. She is a health insurance expert by profession but her journey has evolved since the diagnosis of her child into that of a Neurodiversity Advocate, Community Engagement Specialist and Neuro-inclusive Education Advocate.
Karen holds a BA in Journalism and Radio/Tv from the Lebanese University and a Special Education Diploma, which further strengthens her ability to advocate for neurodivergent children and their families. Additionally, she also spearheads support groups that assist neurodivergent children, their parents, neurodivergent adults, and those who work with or assist neurodiverse.
Karen facilitates workshops, talks, and events designed to raise awareness and foster a neuro-inclusive culture among families, organizations, schools, and the broader community.