Marianna is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist specialising in the field of Autism Spectrum and neurodiversity. For over twenty years, Marianna has dedicated her work to promoting the psychological well-being of people on the Autism Spectrum and improving understanding of ASC as an international trainer in diagnostics of ASC, lecturer, writer and therapist.
Marianna started her career working for the National Autistic Society, supporting young adults with ASD in accessing further education. She then worked at the Institute of Psychiatry and the Maudsley Hospital as a Research Psychologist on the Molecular Genetic Study of Autism as well as on the longitudinal study following up children adopted from Romania, who experienced severe deprivation in early development.
For ten years, Marianna managed psychology provision at the National Centre for High Functioning Autism at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for children. Together with colleagues from the Institute of Child Health, she conducted research into how environmental modifications in schools can lead to improved outcomes for children with ASC. She was part of the team who developed the STEP-ASD (Systemic Transition Programme for ASD), a research-evaluated intervention supporting children with Autism Spectrum in mainstream schools, and co-authored a book on supporting children during the transition into secondary school. She developed programs to support children, young people and their families after receiving a diagnosis (PEGASUS), published in peer-reviewed journals including JCPP and PEGASUS is now used in a range of services across the UK. She also set up and continue to provide training in diagnostic assessment of Autism Spectrum (ADOS2 courses), which attracts professionals from all over the world.
In 2017, Marianna was approached to set up the first ASD/LD module of the CYP IAPT program, where she works to date as a Senior Clinical Tutor. Marianna is the founder and director of Autism Spectrum Direction, a social enterprise that provides training courses internationally and invests proceeds from these to support autistic community through therapeutic and assessment services. The main focus of her career has been inspiring people to continuously strive to create more inclusive environments for everyone on the neuro-spectrum and helping children and young people with neurodiversity to achieve to their potential.
In my role as an educational consultant parents of children with special needs often ask me about appropriate toys and games they can play with their children. With the availability of technology there is sometimes a tendency to “pull out the iPad”. While I am a fan of developmentally appropriate use of technology there is so much value and fun gained from just playing (minus iPad)! During summer holidays and while traveling the toy box can’t always join you. Some outdoor fun at the beach, visiting play-grounds and People Games can be enjoyed by all children.
