Neurodiversity
It is thought that 20% of doctors have an underlying diagnosis of neurodiversity and a third of medical students have features of neurodiversity.
Neurodiversity (ND) describes how the brain functions. It is an umbrella term covering a range of conditions with differences in how the brain works such as Autism and ADHD. The common misconception is that such conditions are a barrier for students wishing to apply to Medicine or Dentistry. As a Doctor-Led Consultancy Service, we are here to break such myths and reassure families that we work alongside many such doctors, as well as having close collaboration with neurodiverse patients.
In our mentoring sessions we have come across many parents who are hesitant to seek help, fearful of their child being labelled. We also understand the wider impact these conditions have on the family. Last year, we trialled a collaboration with one of our expert colleagues in the NHS who specialises in ND and had great success, one student was unable to verbalise before starting the coaching service, unwilling to show their face on camera in the 1st session. This student went on to receive TWO offers by combining a specific ND support programme alongside our academic mentoring.
Exclusive to our students, we are excited to announce we are now formally working with renowned ND expert and G.P Dr Saania Bhatti. She will offer a free 15-minute 1-2-1 consultation.
Her programme includes:
• Parental & Family Support for ND children including navigating EHCPs and UCATSEN and helping to support your child with ND.
• Consultation support for parents who are concerned their child might have SEN/ND but are not sure how to proceed.
• Anxiety Management.
• Study skills support and executive function for ND applicants (particularly useful for UCAT and A Levels).
• Specific Interview Skills for ND alongside the academic MBBS Admissions Ultimate Interview Pathway.
Every neurodiverse person is an individual and requires a personalised approach but neurodiversity itself should not be a hindrance to a student from fulfilling their ambitions.
Dr.Saania Bhatti (MBBS, BSc(hons), MRCGP (2011), DFSRH, DRCOG, Soc NLP, AFMCP)
- GP with special interest in mental health, wellbeing and neurodiversity.
- Neurodiversity trainer to NHSE, London Medical Schools and Multi-Collaborative Healthcare Learners
- Affiliate of Doctor organisations for neurodiversity
- Appraiser and Coach
- Certified Master Practitioner of Medical NLP, Hypnosis and Mindfulness
- Former Neurology Lead for a London STP
- Former Facilitator on London G.P. training scheme
- Lifestyle and Integrative Practitioner
- Parent to SEN children
Dr.Bhatti qualified from the GKT School of Medicine in 2002. During her time at King’s College London, she gained several prizes and scholarships, attaining a first in an intercalated BSc in pharmacology. Around this time, she became aware of the disparity in achievement, with certain sociodemographic groups routinely failing and hence, co-founded a Pan London organisation to support students in passing medical school exams. She initially trained in Obstetrics and Gynaecology before becoming a G.P.
She became interested in communication and mind-body medicine, which led to accreditation by the Society of NLP and the Society of Medical NLP; she continued her training in mindfulness and deep mastery. Having enjoyed many leadership roles, she realised the power of self-regulation and how to harness this. She currently works with Doctors and Healthcare Professionals struggling with mental health, including Neurodiverse Doctors and has been delivering training to charities, including the N.S.P.C.C around mental health, and educational settings, including medical school and the NHS on neurodiversity. She has lived experience through her own children and has authored a book on the subject, having navigated EHCP’s and UCATSEN, School Refusal and Anxiety.
“I just wanted to say thank you to Dr Rizvia for all of her help and support that she gave my daughter! Especially with the referral she gave to Dr Saania because my daughter is neurodivergent and struggles with anxiety issues and wasn’t able to speak in front of interviewers but now she can because of the techniques Dr Saania taught her. Now my daughter managed to successfully gain a place at medical school for 2024 because of this.
My daughter says that she felt the sessions were really helpful in managing her anxiety as well and that she is grateful. As a parent, I was worried about how this affected her application but I was given very professional advice from the doctors and they gave me advice about how to get help with diagnosis and condition from the NHS. I felt much calmer and less scared.
My daughter also feels much more comfortable doing exams. Without this unique service, there is no way my daughter would have got any offers. No other medical school admissions company offers this specialist support from senior doctors who are experts in medical admissions and neurodiversity. ”