Caroline Hearst

Website: autismmatters.org.uk/consultations

Caroline worked as a librarian and then trained as an art psychotherapist before discovering she is autistic in 2008. This realisation was an epiphany that changed her life for the better and led her to acquire a deep understanding of autism and neurodiversity. She has been active in the autism sector since her diagnosis, initially joining ASK (Autism Spectrum Kiwis) and becoming a board member and helping develop a “Welcome Booklet” for newly self-identified or diagnosed autistic adults. After returning to the UK from NZ, she volunteered at the local Autism Society and was voted onto the council of the National Autistic Society. Since 2010, she has attended Autscape (an annual retreat/conference for autistic people where she initiated home groups and has given many presentations. In 2012, she built Autism Matters to enable her to share her knowledge and experience through individual mentoring and group trainings which offer a new framing for people to understand and accept neurodivergence.

In 2013, Caroline founded AutAngel, a community interest company run by and for autistic people. Caroline worked at AutAngel until 2025. During that time she edited “Being Autistic”, a short book detailing the stories of nine autistic adults. She developed and delivered a post-identification programme for autistic adults, “Exploring Being Autistic” , which provides a safe, peer-supported space to explore what it means to be autistic. This programme has been run in-person and online and has been evaluated positively in academic research.

Although neurodiversity is becoming better known and there are now many celebrities and well-respected public figures who have been open about being autistic or ADHD, there is still stigma and ignorance about these conditions even amongst people working in the helping professions. To contribute to creating a more positive environment for neurodivergent people, Caroline designed and delivers training courses about neurodiversity. to therapists.

Caroline has contributed to several autism related research projects and has qualifications in Art Psychotherapy, Librarianship and Adult education. She has worked in various roles, including Consumer Advisor in mental health, Trade union recruiter and tutor in adult education.

Services Offered

Caroline offers individual consultation sessions about autism and neurodiversity grounded in an informed insider perspective. Her sessions provide a safe place for people wanting to explore neurodivergence to reflect on how it might be affecting their life and/or the lives of families and friends. Her aim is to offer support and information to enable neurodivergent people to develop strategies and request accommodations so that they can utilise their strengths and meet their challenges. Caroline is a strong believer in the neurodiversity paradigm, which posits that autism and other neurodivergences are not aberrations but natural parts of the wide variety of possible human brain configurations.

In her sessions, Caroline offers empathy and support and utilises her personal experience and the various tools at her disposal to facilitate a space where clients can explore the impact of neurodivergence on their lives in a realistic and positive way.

Caroline offers a 20 minute free, no-obligation initial call. All of her sessions are carried out on Zoom or via phone. Please contact Caroline directly to discuss her fees.

Areas of support

Exploring the possibility of autism/ADHD
Post-diagnostic support
Support for the parents of autistic children
Adults (18+)
Employment support
People outside of the UK