Improving ways of working with neurodivergent men who use abuse in intimate relationships

The Caledonian System’s national trainer and advisor Dianne Thom explains how a new guide can improve ways of working with men with conditions such as ADHD and autism, on domestic abuse perpetrator interventions.

The role of the Caledonian national team involves training and advising professionals working with men who have been convicted of domestic abuse. Our aim is to address abusive behaviour by supporting men to change their behaviour, with the ultimate goal of increasing the safety of women and children, and improving outcomes for individuals and families.

I’ve recently been involved in the development of a new guide, led by academics at Durham University, which provides guidance to professionals on working safely and effectively with neurodivergent men who are participating in domestic abuse perpetrator interventions. Neurodiversity describes the natural variation in how people’s brains function – we are all different.

However, more than 15% of people in the UK are neurodivergent. A neurodivergent person’s brain processes information, thinks, learns, or behaves differently from what is considered typical for most people, this can affect communication, sensory processing and emotional regulation. Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and Tourette’s Syndrome are some widely recognised neurodivergent conditions.

This may be due in part to the barriers they face in engaging with the justice system and professionals. This guide helps address these challenges by supporting professionals – such as social workers – to better understand neurodivergence. It sets out how to adapt practice to recognise different communication and learning styles, understand individual needs, and build effective therapeutic relationships.

The guide starts by providing an introduction to neurodivergence, before moving on to set out some general practical tips for supporting neurodivergent clients, including: creating neuroinclusive environments; understanding communication and learning needs; planning initial contact and appointments; and maintaining engagement throughout.

This includes exemplars of questions to ask or discussions to explore.

The guide also provides an understanding of how neurodivergence intersects with domestic abuse, and considers specific risks pertaining to this. Furthermore, it underlines that most existing domestic abuse perpetrator interventions are designed around neurotypical norms, which can create barriers for neurodivergent men, with programmes becoming inaccessible or even disabling. 

The Caledonian men’s programme uses techniques including  groupwork, metaphor and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy,  to explore and challenge abusive behaviour.

The guide provides advice on how to facilitate domestic abuse perpetrator programmes to help overcome such issues, including recommended group agreements and alternative ways of describing, delivering and discussing topics and exercises. This should support workers to tailor their work and best support neurodivergent men to more fully engage with the Caledonian programme and increase their ability and motivation to change their behaviour within intimate relationships.

As domestic abuse experts, the Caledonian team were approached by project lead Dr Nicole Renehan, an assistant professor in criminology at Durham University, to ask if we could help with the new neurodivergence guide. I was involved in a series of ‘Action Learning Sets’ which involved collaborative working with other organisations and individuals – including some who are neurodivergent – to research and explore a number of relevant topics. I also reviewed and provided feedback on the guide, before it was piloted across England and in five local authorities in Scotland.

The Caledonian national team is part of Community Justice Scotland, and oversees the training, development and expansion of the Caledonian System. This takes a whole-family approach to addressing men’s domestic abuse in Scotland.

It combines a programme for men convicted of domestic abuse with separate voluntary support services for women and children who are affected.

The Caledonian System is available in 25 of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas, and this will be increased by the end of 2026.  

Research indicates that men who complete the Caledonian programme present a lower risk to partners and children. And women who have taken up the Women’s Service have reported that it made them feel safer and more independent.

This new guide will strengthen practice, helping professionals better support neurodivergent men to engage with the programme and change their behaviour.