University of Kent · Autism researcher, speaker & writer
Autistic researcher, speaker, and writer — translating autism science into the classroom and onto the page.
I research how autistic students experience belonging in UK secondary schools, through the lens of the Double Empathy Problem. I speak and write to make that research useful to the people it affects.
"The breakdown isn't located inside the autistic person. It's located in the interaction — and it runs both ways." Daniel Green · PhD Researcher, University of Kent · #DoubleEmpathyProblem
Speaking & CPD
I deliver talks and CPD sessions for schools, conferences, and professional networks — translating current autism research into practical, grounded sessions for the people working with autistic young people every day. As both a PhD researcher and a SEND tutor, I sit between the literature and the classroom, and I aim to make sessions useful in both directions.
Formats
45–60 minutes · for professional and academic audiences
60–90 minutes · whole-staff or department
Half-day · interactive, smaller group
Remote or in person
Talk topics
An accessible introduction to Damian Milton's concept, what it means for the classroom, and why the standard model of social skills training so often misses the point.
An introduction to Monotropism theory and what it means practically for lesson design, transitions, and how we frame "engagement" — drawing on a recent INSET delivered to staff at Newingate School.
What the research says about belonging as a distinct construct, and what it looks like (and doesn't) for autistic young people in secondary settings.
A challenge to the idea that a quiet, regulated classroom is the same as an inclusive one — with practical reframings staff can try the next week.
How visual research methods can be adapted as practitioner tools — from student voice work to behaviour planning that centres the young person.
What masking is, why it shows up as "fine in school" reports, and how to spot the students who are working hardest to disappear.
Happy to design a session around your staff's specific context, age phase, or current development priority — get in touch and we'll talk it through.
Recent and upcoming
PhD supervised by Dr Damian Milton — originator of the Double Empathy Problem — and Dr Triona Fitton, at the University of Kent.
Book a session →Or email directly: daniellouisgreen7@gmail.com
Writing
I write short, plain-English pieces that take what the research and the classroom are teaching me and make it useful — on the Double Empathy Problem, Monotropism, what belonging really means for autistic students, and what it's like to research autism as an autistic person.
Recent writing
What the Double Empathy Problem actually says, what the research shows, and what it means for how we teach autistic students. →
Belonging gets used loosely in education. Here's what the research means by it, and what helps or blocks it for autistic young people. →
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Resources
Practical, classroom-ready downloads you can use in an INSET, share with colleagues, or work through as a department. Free to use — a credit back to this site is appreciated.
A plain-English primer with prompts and practical reframes to take a whole-staff team from "what is it?" to "what do we do differently on Monday?"
Download (PDF) →A short reflective audit to help a setting ask how well autistic students actually belong — and where the everyday barriers sit.
Download (PDF) →PhD Research
My doctoral research sits at the intersection of sociology, disability studies, and education. I am examining how autistic young people experience belonging in UK secondary schools — using visual methods to centre their voices and perspectives.
The Double Empathy Problem, developed by Dr Damian Milton, challenges the traditional view that social difficulties in autism reside within the autistic individual. I use this as a theoretical lens to reframe what we see in schools — and to ask different questions about how schools are structured.
A sociological study exploring how autistic students in specialist secondary settings understand and experience belonging. The research uses visual methods to gather participant-led accounts, situating findings within a sociology of education framework.
About
I am an autistic PhD researcher, SEND tutor, and trainee teacher based in Canterbury, England. I work in a specialist secondary school for autistic students, which both informs and shapes my research.
My approach to research is shaped by the principle that autistic people should be at the centre of work that concerns them. I am committed to participatory, non-deficit research — and to translating academic findings into something useful for educators and families.
Alongside my doctorate, I support autistic students directly as a SEND tutor, and I am completing a Level 5 Diploma in Teaching. From September 2026, I will be delivering ICT and GCSE Computer Science at the school where I work.
Availability: open to speaking engagements UK-wide — in person across Kent, London, and the South East, and online anywhere.
FAQ
The Double Empathy Problem, developed by the autistic academic Dr Damian Milton in 2012, is the idea that communication difficulties between autistic and non-autistic people are mutual, not one-sided. Both people find it harder to read someone whose mind works differently from their own. It reframes autistic social difficulty as a difference between two parties rather than a deficit inside the autistic person.
Monotropism is a theory of autism (originally described by Dinah Murray, Wenn Lawson and Mike Lesser) which suggests autistic attention tends to focus deeply on a few interests at a time rather than spreading across many. It helps explain flow states, why unexpected transitions are hard, and why interest-led teaching often works well for autistic students.
Daniel Green delivers autism and SEND CPD, INSET, and workshops for schools across the UK — in person across Kent, London and the South East, and online anywhere. Sessions translate current autism research into practical, non-deficit classroom practice for SLT, SENDCos, teachers and support staff.
Yes. Daniel works in a specialist secondary school, but the sessions are designed for both mainstream and specialist staff, and adapt to the setting, age phase, and the development priorities of the team.
Email daniellouisgreen7@gmail.com with your date, audience, format (talk, INSET, workshop or podcast) and the topic you would like to cover. Daniel will reply to discuss what would work best for your staff.
Yes. Daniel publishes free writing on autism, belonging and inclusive practice through the newsletter Change the Room, and shares free downloadable resources for schools on this site.
Contact
I welcome approaches from researchers, educators, journalists, and anyone working in the autism and SEND space. If you would like to collaborate, invite me to speak, or just have a conversation about the research — reach out.
Or copy my email directly: daniellouisgreen7@gmail.com
For speaking enquiries, please include the date, audience, format (talk / INSET / workshop / podcast), and the topic you'd like to cover.