Join Neurodivergent Psychologists Monique Mitchelson and Anna Clarke in a practical workshop introducing Neurodiversity Affirming Practice in working with Autistic and ADHD clients into the therapy room.

Up to 70% of Autistic and ADHD clients have a co-occurring mental health condition including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and greater risk of suicide and self-harm. The Neurodiversity Affirming Model states that rather than aiming to cure Autism or ADHD, clinicians should be focusing on the associated stressors and distress that comes from being neurodivergent in a neurotypical world. The Neurodiversity Affirming paradigm is an emerging paradigm from the social model of disability for understanding psychological and neurodevelopmental differences through a strengths-based lens. The Neurodiversity Affirming Model has been widely adopted by autistic people and those with ADHD as an affirming framework that supports self empowerment and the development of a positive sense of identity.

Research shows that Autistic and ADHD clients are more likely to experience interpersonal trauma, rejection, exclusion, and negative feedback due to their disability which over a lifetime leads to the development of shame and internalization of criticism. Unfortunately, this can extend to experiences with medical and allied health professionals. It is critical that Autistic and ADHD clients can access positive experiences of help seeking and engage in psychological support that is adapted to their needs. Monique and Anna will introduce the Square Model (Mitchelson & Clarke, 2022) which proposes practical and easily applicable ways of adapting therapy through understanding and accommodating Sensory Needs, Interoception, Executive Functioning and Communication Needs.

This workshop will provide an overview of the Neurodiversity Affirming Paradigm and will focus on how clinicians can embed principles of the Neurodiversity Affirming paradigm in their current therapeutic modalities to strengthen treatment outcomes for autistic/ADHD clients and to ensure that therapeutic approaches are adapted appropriately for this population.