Bringing Professional Expertise and Lived Experience to Every Conversation
When organisations, schools, conferences, and businesses are searching for an autism speaker, neurodiversity trainer, or inclusive workplace expert, authenticity matters just as much as expertise. Lorraine McAleer offers both.
As the Founder and CEO of Learning SPACE, Lorraine has spent more than 25 years helping transform education, workplaces, and communities through practical, evidence-based approaches to autism and neurodiversity. Her unique perspective combines decades of professional experience with the insight of being a late-identified autistic woman, creating presentations and training sessions that are informative, engaging, and genuinely impactful.
Whether delivering a keynote, joining a podcast, facilitating workplace training, or speaking at educational conferences, Lorraine equips audiences with practical knowledge they can immediately put into practice.
Meet Lorraine McAleer
Lorraine McAleer is an experienced educator, autism specialist, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for inclusion.
A qualified teacher with a Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies, Lorraine has dedicated her career to improving opportunities for autistic and neurodivergent individuals across the UK and Ireland.
In 2007, she founded Learning SPACE with a clear mission: to make high-quality sensory, educational, and specialist resources accessible to the people who need them most.
Since then, Learning SPACE has become one of the UK's most trusted providers of autism and inclusion resources, delivering large-scale public sector projects worth millions while supporting schools, healthcare providers, families, charities, and organisations nationwide.
"I was a teacher and have over 25 years experience in the education and sensory world. At the age of 38 I was diagnosed with Autism which has made a huge impact on my life. This drive comes from supporting my sister who is the light of my life and has Sotos Syndrome. I'm passionate about empowering and enabling children so that no matter what their needs are, they feel valued, resilient and happy." - Lorraine
Lorraine McAleer - Speaker, Trainer & Podcast Guest
Where Professional Knowledge Meets Lived Experience
One of Lorraine's greatest strengths is her ability to combine evidence-based practice with personal understanding.
After receiving a late autism diagnosis herself, Lorraine gained a deeper perspective on many of the challenges, strengths, and experiences shared by autistic adults.
Her lived experience brings authenticity that audiences immediately connect with.
Rather than speaking only from research, Lorraine shares real-life insights into:
- Late autism diagnosis
- Masking and burnout
- Neurodivergent identity
- Sensory processing
- Inclusion in everyday life
- Creating environments where people genuinely belong
This balance between professional expertise and personal experience makes her an engaging and relatable speaker for diverse audiences.
Why Organisations Choose Lorraine McAleer
Organisations looking for an experienced autism keynote speaker or neurodiversity consultant consistently value Lorraine's ability to translate complex topics into practical, actionable strategies.
Her sessions are:
- Evidence-based
- Engaging and interactive
- Practical rather than theoretical
- Tailored to each audience
- Inclusive and accessible
- Focused on lasting impact
Whether speaking to educators, business leaders, healthcare professionals, HR teams, or parents, Lorraine ensures every audience leaves with tools they can immediately apply.
Book Topics Lorraine Speaks On
Lorraine delivers keynote presentations, workshops, webinars, podcast interviews, and bespoke training covering a wide range of autism and inclusion topics.
Understanding Autism and Neurodivergence
Helping schools, organisations, and communities better understand autism through practical, strengths-based approaches that move beyond stereotypes.
The Reality of a Late Autism Diagnosis
Lorraine shares her own personal journey, exploring what late identification means for identity, mental wellbeing, self-understanding, and belonging.
Sensory Processing and Inclusive Environments
Discover how sensory differences affect learning, working, and everyday life, along with practical ways to create genuinely inclusive spaces.
Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Supporting employers to build workplaces where autistic and neurodivergent employees can thrive through awareness, reasonable adjustments, and inclusive cultures.
Evidence-Based Inclusion in Education
Practical strategies for teachers, SENCOs, school leaders, and education professionals that improve outcomes for autistic learners.
Specialist Resources That Make a Difference
Helping professionals and families choose sensory and educational resources that deliver measurable benefits rather than simply following trends.
Building an Award-Winning Purpose-Led Business
Lorraine also shares the entrepreneurial journey behind Learning SPACE, inspiring business owners and social entrepreneurs who want to build successful organisations while creating meaningful social impact.
Book Lorraine McAleer TodayTrusted Across the UK and Ireland
Over nearly two decades, Lorraine has worked with schools, education authorities, charities, healthcare organisations, and government-funded programmes across the UK and Ireland.
Learning SPACE has successfully delivered major public sector contracts, including work with Family Fund, Belfast Education & Library Board, and the national AIM Programme, supporting thousands of autistic and neurodivergent individuals through specialist resources and expert guidance.
This experience means Lorraine understands both frontline practice and strategic implementation.
An Award-Winning Entrepreneur
Lorraine's leadership has been recognised through numerous business and entrepreneurial awards.
Her achievements include recognition for:
- Entrepreneurial excellence
- Outstanding customer service
- Innovation
- Business leadership
- Business Person of the Year finalist
These accolades reflect not only commercial success but also a longstanding commitment to improving lives through inclusion, education, and accessible support.
Perfect for Conferences, Podcasts and Professional Development
Lorraine regularly works with:
- Education conferences
- Autism and SEND events
- Corporate inclusion programmes
- HR and leadership conferences
- Local authorities
- Universities
- Parent organisations
- Professional associations
- Podcasts
- Webinars
- Leadership events
Whether delivering a keynote to hundreds or facilitating an interactive workshop, Lorraine adapts every session to meet the needs of the audience.
Book Lorraine McAleer TodayWhy Lorraine's Message Matters
Awareness alone is no longer enough.
Today's organisations are looking for practical ways to create environments where autistic and neurodivergent people can genuinely thrive.
Lorraine helps audiences move beyond theory by providing realistic, evidence-informed strategies that improve inclusion, communication, wellbeing, and belonging.
Her combination of professional expertise, lived experience, educational leadership, and entrepreneurial success makes her a trusted voice in autism and neurodiversity.
Book Lorraine McAleer for Your Event
If you're looking for an experienced autism speaker, neurodiversity keynote speaker, inclusive workplace trainer, education consultant, or podcast guest, Lorraine McAleer delivers presentations that inspire action and create meaningful change.
Whether you're planning a conference, staff development day, leadership event, webinar, or podcast interview, Lorraine brings insight, authenticity, and practical expertise that audiences remember long after the event has finished.
Get in touch today to discuss your event, training requirements, or podcast opportunity, and discover how Lorraine can help your audience better understand autism, neurodiversity, and true inclusion.
