Taking the neurological lead: Professor Jo Delahunty KC

Counsel, the monthly magazine for members of the Bar in England and Wales, has published an interview with Professor Jo Delahunty KC about the need to destigmatise neurodivergence and her emerging awareness of how undiagnosed ADHD, dyscalculia, and dyslexia may have affected her.

From the article, "Following a three-year hiatus, Resolution, the community for family justice professionals, held its national conference in 2022. Professor Jo Delahunty KC and District Judge Howard Kemp jointly gave the keynote speech and Delahunty was given free rein to address what lessons had arisen for her from the pandemic. She chose to talk about the benefits and pitfalls of remote working and the emerging awareness of how they impact neurodiversity.

Delahunty is already recognised as a leader in the legal profession by being prepared to publicly raise issues affecting recruitment, retention, and progression at the Bar – particularly those faced by women and other disadvantaged and underrepresented groups. During her keynote speech, she spoke openly about the need to destigmatise neurodivergence and her emerging awareness of how undiagnosed ADHD, dyscalculia, and dyslexia may have affected her. Delahunty spoke with compassion, sending out a powerful message that inclusivity of those with neurodiverse needs – which may not always be diagnosed – matters for the future health of the legal profession and that we need to be alert to (sometimes false) preconceptions of ‘normality’ versus neurodiversity. During the speech, Twitter was awash with messages of support and admiration for her openness and encouragement."