Synopsis

Healthcare environments influence far more than clinical outcomes. Long before a person meets a healthcare professional, their nervous system has already begun responding to the environment around them. Lighting, noise, wayfinding, waiting areas, privacy and predictability can either support regulation or contribute to stress, overwhelm and disengagement. Drawing on my work as a psychologist, psychotherapist, neurodiversity consultant and founder of the social enterprise TSK Academy, alongside my lived experience as a neurodivergent person and parent of neurodivergent children, this session introduces Regulation by Design—a human-centred approach that explores how healthcare environments can actively promote psychological safety, emotional regulation and equitable access to care. Through real-world examples from healthcare, social care and family life, I will explore how seemingly small environmental decisions can have a profound impact on a person’s ability to engage, communicate and feel safe. Rather than viewing the environment as simply the backdrop to care, this presentation encourages delegates to consider it as an active part of the care experience. Attendees will leave with practical, evidence-informed ideas that can be applied across healthcare settings, regardless of budget or scale, while gaining a deeper understanding of how thoughtful design can reduce unnecessary barriers and improve experiences for neurodivergent people and, ultimately, for everyone.