Dr Kana

Founder

*Kana is bilingual

in English and Japanese

Specialist Autism Mentor and Autism Advocate

With my personal and educational and background in autism and counseling, I am keen to support autistic people and their families to maximize their health, wellbeing, and abilities. More than anything, I am committed to being present for my clients. 

I am autistic and have ADHD myself. It took me quite a few clinicians and a considerable amount of time to get both diagnoses and for me to understand and accept my difference, but I  believe my past hurt and sorrows were to help others like myself. There have been a few incredible clinicians who supported me at different points in my personal journey, who inspired me to become the person to support others. Many of them did not know autism and neurodiversity very well but all were some of the most warmhearted people I have ever met in my life. I hope to be someone like them to my clients with a good understanding of autism and neurodiversity. 

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Autism Researcher

I completed my PhD on loneliness in autistic adults at the Center for Research in Autism and Education at the Institute of Education, University College London (UCL). I am also involved in multiple autism research projects such as with Autistica and UCL. 

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Ballerina

I am also a life-long ballerina. I started dancing classical ballet at the age of three and have been dancing at many different schools and studios in Japan, the USA, and the UK including Boston Ballet School and The Place in London. Growing up, I danced for school performances, art festivals, and competitions, and I don’t remember a time ballet wasn’t a part of my life. I’ve just always loved everything about ballet from the movements and music to how it shows stories and emotions. I am also a certified yoga instructor (RYT-200).  ​

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Qualifications

• PhD in Psychology, Centre for Research in Autism and Education, Institute of Education, University College London, UK

Using mixed methods, my PhD research investigates the views and experiences of loneliness in autistic adults and the appropriateness of existing measures to capture loneliness in this population. 

• PgCert in Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome (Distinction), Sheffield Hallam University and National Autistic Society, UK

• Master of Arts in Counselling Theory, Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Boston College, USA

• Bachelor of Science in Leadership (Honour), Northeastern University, USA

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Featured on 

The Scientist, Spectrum, BBC Radio 4, Dutch science magazine, Quest 

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