Neurodiversity and CPA focus for headline speaker

Our headline speaker for the CPA Conference this October really is an expert when it comes to Child to Parent Abuse. Dr Amanda Holt has been researching themes relating to CPA for nearly 20 years, and even wrote the UK’s very first book on the topic! This was followed by an edited collection which focused on how to support families experiencing CPA.

A Professor of Criminology at the University of Roehampton in London, Dr Holt has been involved with PEGS for a number of years and sits on our Advisory Board, as well as being a member of the Risk of Harm committee for Family Lives.

Dr Holt recently completed a project funded by the Mayor of London which looked specifically at CPA in London where the child was of adolescent age.

Her headline speaker slot at the conference will focus on Child to Parent Abuse in Neurodivergent Contexts.

She will share with audiences the findings of her recently completed project about CPA in relation to neurodivergent children and young people. This took the form of interviews with 15 mothers from across the UK whose child or children have a diagnosis of autism, AH(H)D and/or FASD and are also displaying CPA behaviours.

As part of the research, Dr Holt explored their experiences of CPA and how the context of neurodivergence had shaped these experiences. She will also cover an overview of what parents and carers had shared with her had been helpful in terms of the support they had received.

Everyone attending the conference will also have an opportunity to take part in a Q&A at the end of Dr Holt’s session, where they’ll be able to ask her any questions about her important research.

We cannot wait to hear Dr Holt speak as we know it will provide a fascinating insight into the lives of families who are experiencing CPA and also have neurodivergent children – something professionals attending are sure to find valuable in their working life going forward.

If you’ve not yet purchased your ticket, you can do so by heading to www.pegsevents.co.uk. The conference is a virtual event which takes place on Monday 14^th October; please note, there are discounted tickets available for attendees from charities and not-for-profit organisations, and the ticket also includes access to a wealth of information on a specially-created resources platform.

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Founding Director, Michelle, has been awarded an MBE in the Kings Birthday Honours for Family Support and Advocacy.

By PEGS Admin • June 15, 2026

Child to Parent Abuse organisation founder awarded MBE The founder of a social enterprise which has supported thousands of parents impacted by abusive behaviours from their children has been awarded an MBE. Michelle John, originally from Pembrokeshire in Wales but now based in Shropshire, was among the names announced for the prestigious accolade in the King’s Birthday Honours List this year. In 2020, Michelle set up not-for-profit organisation PEGS with the aim of supporting parents and carers, training professionals, influencing local and national policy, and raising awareness of Child to Parent Abuse – which is thought to affect up to one in ten households in the UK. Since then, she has grown a team of experts who have trained police, social workers, teachers and many other professionals to better recognise the signs of CPA, support parents, and signpost to specialist organisations. In addition, Michelle set up a range of parent-focused initiatives including daily practitioner-led online sessions, a Facebook peer support group which now has 3,300 members, and one-to-one offerings for those at highest risk. PEGS launched a CPA Covenant for employers in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, only the fourth such covenant to be backed by the Government, and Michelle has advised everyone from the Home Office to Channel 4 and the BBC on CPA – the latter for storyline on Hollyoaks and EastEnders. Her work has seen CPA covered by journalists across television news programmes, national newspapers and magazine, and regional press and radio, and she’s received numerous awards both in the UK and internationally. Michelle, whose MBE was awarded for Family Support and Advocacy, said: “This honour is also shared with the parents who have trusted me along the way: they drive me, inspire me and I will always stand with them. “I feel proud, privileged and very grateful – and I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me and PEGS along the way. There is much more to come for PEGS, and we will continue to work every day for the parents and carers who have been or continue to be impacted by CPA. “There is so much to reflect on from the journey of the last six years, and there have been many highlights and challenges along the way. I am sure there will be many more in the future – although being told I’d received an MBE will always remain a truly incredible moment that I’ll remember forever!” For more information about us, visit www.pegsupport.co.uk or search for 'PEGS' on social media!