This week, I had the privilege of presenting at the Diabetes Professional Care Conference (DPC) 2025 alongside the Professional Lead for Long Term Conditions Callum Metcalfe-O’Shea (see pictures below), sharing insights from the Â鶹ÊÓƵ resource on neurodiversity in nursing practice with a focus on diabetes care. With over 70 attendees in the room, including a strong contingent of RCN members, the energy and engagement were palpable.
Neurodiversity is not just a concept it’s a call to rethink how we deliver care. Individuals living with neurodivergent conditions such as ADHD, dyscalculia, and sensory processing differences often face unique challenges in managing diabetes. Our session examined how these differences interact within clinical settings, influence communication approaches, and shape expectations around self-management.
We discussed how living with neurodivergence can impact on factors like forgetfulness, impulsivity, and difficulty with routine. This can in turn affect a person’s ability to monitor their blood glucose, maintain medication adherence, and make consistent dietary choices.
For those with numerical processing difficulties, tasks like carb counting, insulin dosing, and interpreting blood glucose readings can be daunting. We emphasised the need for visual aids, tech support, and simplified communication. We also highlighted how sensory overload, unclear signage, and rushed consultations can hinder understanding and retention. Creating neuro-inclusive spaces is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.
We didn’t just present problems, we proposed solutions. We urged healthcare leaders to embed neurodiversity considerations into diabetes care pathways and national frameworks. We advocated for designated champions in every workplace to drive awareness, support colleagues, and influence practice. And we made the case for mandatory training, neurodiversity shouldn’t be an optional module; it should be core to nursing education and CPD.
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees shared stories, asked thoughtful questions, and expressed a clear appetite for change. Many RCN members voiced interest in taking these principles back to their trusts and teams.
This is just the beginning. We’re working to expand the RCN resource, develop practical tools for frontline staff, and build a community of neurodiversity advocates across diabetes care settings.
If you were at the session—thank you. If you missed it, take a look at the RCN resource: The principles of neurodiversity in nursing practice
Together, we can make care more inclusive, compassionate, and effective.
