Working with neurodivergent adults
Developing self-compassion and self-acceptance
Large numbers of diagnosed and undiagnosed Autistic and ADHDer adolescents and adults are now presenting for therapy, often having accumulated several misdiagnoses before their neurodivergence is identified. Striving to achieve often unattainable neuro-normative ideals, Autistic people and ADHDers often have lower levels of self-compassion, greater self-criticism, feelings of failure, internalised stigma, and shame. Many live in chronic burnout, a state of exhaustion and overwhelm that emerges from living in an environment that does not accommodate neurodivergent differences.
However, a flourishing self-advocacy and social justice movement has grown, placing a greater emphasis on human rights, support, and accommodations, and a gradual reduction in stigma. This has created new challenges for therapists who must learn to adapt their existing skills to work in an affirming way.
Workshop overview
Presented by a clinical psychologist, Jennifer Kemp, author of The neurodivergence skills workbook for autism and ADHD, who is neurodivergent herself, this workshop will provide a comprehensive exploration of the foundations of neurodiversity-affirming practice and guidance on how to apply this understanding to deliver best practice, affirming therapeutic interventions. This workshop will be relevant to professionals who primarily work with Autistic and ADHDer adults and adolescents as well as those who see them as part of a wider client group.
Blending discussion, activities, and experiential exercises with didactic learning, the presenter will explore the fundamental principles of neurodiversity-affirming practice including the differences between the social, medical, and neurodiversity-affirming models of disability, the ‘double-empathy problem,’ and the use of affirming language. Participants will explore what being Autistic or an ADHDer really means via an in-depth exploration of the neurobiological differences that lead to specific strengths and difficulties. The close relationship between Autism and ADHD, and frequent co-occurrence with mental health problems including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma, and eating disorders will also be explored.
The presenter will then guide participants through a comprehensive, trauma-informed, and affirming treatment approach that builds well-being on a foundation of self-compassion and self-acceptance.
What you will learn
During the workshop, participants will learn:
- Practical strategies to facilitate key behavioural strategies in sensory soothing, emotion regulation, safe relationships, executive functioning, effective boundaries, unmasking, self-advocacy, and more.
- Methods to adapt their therapeutic approach to meet the needs of neurodivergent clients and how they can implement affirming principles in their practice.
- How to work more skilfully and effectively with neurodivergent clients.
The course includes plenty of handouts, worksheets, and resources to further support learning.
Feedback from previous attendees
“It was absolutely everything that I had hoped it would be and more and I have gained so many resources and new thinking and feel much better equipped to work with my neurodivergent senior medical and public health leader clients. I can honestly say this is the best training I have done for many years.”
Dr Fiona Day MBChB, FFPH, CPsychol Medical & Public Health Leadership Coach
“Excellent experience, highly recommended.”
Lou Gane, Neurodiversity-Affirming Health Coach
“I am so grateful to benefit from this session now…. the perfect timing.”
Celine Plutniak, BCBA – ACT therapist and circle facilitator in autism
Who would benefit from this workshop?
Meant for practitioners who have already had basic introductory training in ACT, we recommend this workshop for all mental health professionals including psychologists, BCBAs, UKBA (Cert)s, psychiatrists, social workers, nurse practitioners, coaches, therapists, counsellors, GPs, and OTs.
If you have disability and require adjustments or accommodation, please email us at admin@contextualconsulting.co.uk to discuss your needs and we will do our best to help you.
Booking cancellation
The registration fee will be refunded minus a administration charge if cancellations are received at least two weeks before the workshop date.
Cancellations within two weeks of the event date are charged the full registration fee, other than in exceptional circumstances that can be verified.
Event cancellation
In the event of cancellation of the course outside of our control we will not be held accountable for travel and/or accommodation costs incurred. However, the workshop fees will be refunded.
All workshops will be subject to minimum delegate numbers being met; in the event that a workshop should be cancelled delegates will be given no less than 2 months’ notice.
Replacing delegates
If a delegate is unable to attend and a replacement is nominated there may be a charge depending on the individual circumstances, this will be advised at the time. Please contact the us to request a replacement of delegates at least a week before the workshop date.
APA psychologists: This program is sponsored by Contextual Consulting and is approved for 6 CE credits for psychologists.
Behaviour analysts: This workshop is available for 6 BACB Learning CEUs. Contextual Consulting is an approved BACB ACE Provider # OP-20-3415.
Nationally certified counselors: This workshop is available for 6 credit hours. Contextual Consulting Ltd. has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7578.
To find out more, including attendance requirements and how to access your certificate, go to our continuing education information page.
On completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
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- Describe the foundations of neurodiversity-affirming practice, including the social model of disability, use of affirming language, and double-empathy problem
- Demonstrate a functional understanding of Autism and that describes the underlying differences in information processing that lead to specific differences, strengths, and difficulties
- Describe how neurobiological differences combine with environmental factors to cause Autistic/ADHD burnout, and differentiate this from mental health diagnoses such as anxiety and depression, to reduce the likelihood of misdiagnosis
- Implement a practical and comprehensive treatment approach that reduces behaviours leading burnout and develops greater self-compassion behaviours, self-acceptance, and pride in identity
- Implement neurodiversity-affirming principles in their practice, including adapting their approach to therapy to meet the needs of neurodivergent clients
Contextual Consulting is committed to the identification and resolution of potential conflicts of interest in the planning, promotion, delivery, and evaluation of continuing education. Potential conflicts of interest occur when an individual assumes a professional role in the planning, promotion, delivery, or evaluation of continuing education where personal, professional, legal, financial, or other interests could reasonably be expected to impair their objectivity, competence, or effectiveness.
There was no commercial support for this event. None of the planners or presenters for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
The Neurodivergence Skills Workbook for Autism and ADHD: Cultivate Self-Compassion, Live Authentically, and Be Your Own Advocate, by Jennifer Kemp.