Dr Daniel Sheppard
Specialisation
Clinical Psychologist, Neurodiversity Specialist
Languages Spoken
English
Experience
Dr. Daniel Sheppard is a British Clinical Psychologist with 20 years’ experience across education, research, and clinical psychology, now licensed in Dubai. He holds dual doctorates—a PhD in autism and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology—and combines academic and clinical expertise with a compassionate, person-centred approach, specialising in neurodiversity, psychological therapy, and systems support for individuals, families, and educators.
Dr Daniel Sheppard (QTS, MSc, PhD, DClinPsy) is a British Clinical Psychologist with dual doctorates – a PhD in autism and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology – combining academic and clinical expertise. He is registered with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the UK.
With 20 years’ experience across education, research and clinical psychology, Dr Dan takes a compassionate, person-centred approach, placing the therapeutic relationship at the heart of his work. His focus on neurodiversity has enhanced his ability to challenge assumptions and consider the unique factors shaping how individuals relate to themselves and others.
He completed his clinical Doctorate at the University of Edinburgh, specialising in NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). His PhD focused on autism and everyday memory, resulting in several peer-reviewed publications.
This academic foundation underpins his neuroaffirmative, evidence-based clinical work.
Before training as a psychologist, Dr Dan taught as a qualified teacher in the UK, in both mainstream and specialist school settings, supporting neurotypical and neurodivergent children with diverse and complex needs. His combined experience in education and clinical practice gives him a unique understanding of how home and school life shape mental health and wellbeing.
Areas of Expertise
- Neurodiversity – neuroaffirmative support for neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals
- Psychological therapy – for common mental health difficulties, including anxiety, stress, low mood and relational problems, across age groups
- Consultation and systems support – with parents, educators, and professionals, including psychoeducation and reflective practice
- Group programmes – including resilience-building for young people
- Training and workshops – for families and professionals on neurodiversity and psychological wellbeing
Cothú, Parent Autism Training Programme
Cothú is an in-person parent programme designed to support families in understanding their autistic children and responding in ways that feel respectful, practical, and sustainable in everyday life.
It is grounded in a neuro-affirmative approach — seeing autism as a natural form of human difference, and focusing on understanding a child’s way of experiencing the world rather than trying to change who they are.
About the programme
The programme was developed in collaboration with autistic parents of autistic children and integrates clinical practice, research, and lived experience. It is currently the only programme of its kind in the UAE with this explicit focus.
Who it is for
Cothú is open to parents at any stage of their journey, including:
- When autism is possible but not yet formally identified
- When a child has been recently diagnosed
- When a family has been living with an autism diagnosis for some time
How it works
- Delivered in person by Dr Dan
- Six structured group sessions combining guided content, reflection, and discussion
- Practical focus on everyday family life, regulation, communication, and support
Community and continuity
- Parents are invited into an ongoing Cothú community
- Optional drop-ins and informal gatherings after the core programme
- Continued opportunities for connection, shared learning, and support
Treatment Techniques
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Narrative Therapy
- Systemic/relational approach
Qualification
- Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (University of Edinburgh)
- PhD in Autism (Radboud University Nijmegen)
- MSc in Psychology (University of Hertfordshire)
- UK-Qualified Teacher Status (QTS): 8 years’ teaching experience
Licenses & Professional Memberships
- DHA licensed Clinical Psychologist (Dubai)
- Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- British Psychological Society (BPS)
- General Teaching Council for England (GTC)
Publications
Dan’s clinical work is informed by an academic background in autism, ADHD, and cognitive development, with a particular focus on prospective memory, classroom experiences, and everyday cognitive demands in neurodivergent and neurotypical children.
Research exploring how autistic and ADHD children, adolescents, and adults remember intentions, respond to cues, and manage everyday cognitive demands – with implications for learning, independence, and daily functioning.
- Sheppard, D. P., & Quayle, E. (2022). Prospective memory in children and adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A systematic literature review. Doctoral thesis, University of Edinburgh.
[View publication] - Sheppard, D. P., & Altgassen, M. (2021). Did you hear? Auditory prospective memory cues are more beneficial for autistic than for non-autistic children and adolescents. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 115, 104001.
[View publication] - Altgassen, M., Sheppard, D. P., & Hendriks, M. (2019). Do importance instructions improve time-based prospective remembering in autism spectrum disorders? Research in Developmental Disabilities, 90, 1–13.
[View publication] - Sheppard, D. P., Bruineberg, J., Kretschmer, A., & Altgassen, M. (2018). Prospective memory in autism: Theory and literature review. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 32(5), 748–782.
[View publication] - Sheppard, D. P., Kvavilashvili, L., & Ryder, N. (2016). Event-based prospective memory in mildly and severely autistic children. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 49, 22–33.
[View publication] - Sheppard, D. P., Kretschmer, A., Knispel, E., Vollert, B., & Altgassen, M. (2015). The role of extrinsic rewards and cue–intention association in prospective memory in young children. PLoS ONE, 10(10), e0140987.
[View publication]
This doctoral research brings together the studies listed above into a single volume, exploring how autistic people manage everyday intentions and how context and attention shape this. Its aim was to inform more supportive, respectful ways of understanding and supporting autistic experience in daily life.
- Sheppard, D. P. (2018). Predictably different? Prospective memory in autism. Doctoral thesis, Radboud University.
[View publication]
Research focused on teachers’ autism knowledge, autism-specific self-efficacy, and how classroom environments shape stress, support, and inclusion.
- Sheppard, D. P., & Quayle, E. (2022). Teacher and classroom assistant autism knowledge, autism-specific self-efficacy and relations to classroom stress appraisal. Doctoral thesis, University of Edinburgh.
[View publication]