19 December 2025

Neurodiversity and Celebration: When Joyful Moments Become Sensory Overload

By Professor Charlotte Valeur, ION Chair and Founder

In her latest ION piece, Professor Charlotte Valeur explores how joyful moments of celebration can unexpectedly trigger sensory overload for many neurodivergent individuals, challenging the assumption that festivities are universally experienced as purely positive. Her insights illuminate the complex interplay between neurodiversity, sensory processing, and inclusion, offering a deeper understanding of how environments and social rituals can be made more welcoming for all.

Why Neurodivergent Individuals Often Make Exceptional Entrepreneurs

By Brad LeBlanc, ION Canada Member

(image taken from the LinkedIn article, published 13 December 2025)

In this insightful article, ION Canada member Brad LeBlanc explores why neurodivergent individuals often excel as entrepreneurs, highlighting how traits like pattern recognition, deep focus, and comfort with uncertainty can fuel innovation and resilience. Drawing on both research and personal experience, he argues that entrepreneurship thrives when environments are designed to leverage diverse thinking rather than enforce conformity.

Standing Against GBV (Gender-Based Violence): A Neurominority Woman’s Perspective from the Global South

By Alia Booley, Country Lead, ION South Africa

In this powerful article, Alia Booley shares her insightful piece on gender‑based violence (GBV), shedding light on how intersecting identities shape the realities of abuse, vulnerability, and resilience in contexts often overlooked by mainstream narratives. Her perspective not only deepens our understanding of GBV as a pervasive global issue rooted in gender inequality and discrimination, but also challenges us to consider how inclusion and justice must address diverse bodies, minds, and social locations to truly end violence.

Beyond Autism Podcast - Nothing to Cure Here: Rewriting the Narrative about Autism

Victoria Burnip from the Institute of Neurodiversity and renowned psychotherapist Dr Tony Lloyd joined Tracie Coultas-Pitman to dispel the myths about "curing" autism and provide evidence-based practical steps for inclusion that anyone can implement.

Join us for the Next ION Chat on the 6th February 2026

There will be no ION Chat on the first Friday in January. We look forward to seeing you at the next ION Chat on

Friday, 6 February 2026, 10:30am - 11:30am UK London Time

Discover a virtual space where you can talk about what matters to you, hear from others, share your experiences, and connect on a deeper level. Register now to join us and become an ION individual member.