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Beyond Buzzwords: How to be Truly Neurodivergent Affirming in Your Practice (Recorded)

Previously Recorded
Jessica Hasson, PhD
$59.99

This training explores how mental health professionals can move beyond surface-level inclusivity to create genuinely affirming spaces for neurodivergent individuals. After reviewing the definition of neurodivergence, the focus will be on adapting therapeutic and assessment approaches to support different neurological experiences, reinforcing that differences are not deficits. Participants are encouraged to reflect on their own biases, especially those shaped by traditional medical models used in diagnosis and insurance documentation. The training challenges practitioners to consider how truly aligned their language, documentation, office environment, and therapeutic style are with neurodivergent-affirming values. Strategies for building inclusive, sensory-considerate, and flexible practices are explored, along with case examples to demonstrate practical applications. The session also prepares clinicians to respect clients who prefer a medical model approach, reinforcing the need for individualized, respectful care.

About the Presenter

Jessica Hasson, PhD, is licensed as a psychologist in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC. She is able to provide psychological services in 40 states and two jurisdictions in the United States via PSYPACT. She specializes in psychological assessment, including psychological evaluations, psychoeducational evaluations, and forensic evaluations. She has presented over 50 times at state, national, and international psychology conferences and has published book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles on assessment.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Participants will be able to discuss at least one benefit and one drawback to sxpanding the definition of neurodiversity.
  2. Participants will be able to identify at least 4 ways they can create an affirming space for their neurodivergent clients
  3. Participants will be able to identify at least two ways neurotypical bias can present in their practice.

Agenda:
Beyond Buzzwords: How to be Truly Neurodivergent Affirming in Your Practice. 1. Introduction and discussion of objectives (10 minutes) 2. What is Neurodivergence (20 minutes) a. Variations in brain functioning i. Review the definition b. Not a disability, but it can result in a disability in some contexts i. Review of Impairment vs. Disability c. Some push to expand the definition to include anxiety, depression, trauma, and personality disorders i. Benefits and drawbacks of this ii. Neurodivergence is not transient iii. The impact of the expanded terminology on individuals who are “traditionally” neurodivergent d. Definition to be used in this training e. These strategies can be used across the spectrum of brain differences 3. What does it mean to be Neurodivergent-Affirming (30 minutes) a. Anti-Medical Model: Differences are not deficits i. Brief Discussion of the profound levels of ID and Autism b. Different brain functioning is a strength, especially in some circumstances i. Can be a disability in some settings ii. Review of IDEA/ADA and accommodations c. Adapt our approaches, therapy, and testing to accommodate different brains 4. Understanding Our Own Biases (40 minutes) a. Many of us were taught on the DSM/ICD i. Medical Model 1. Definition of the medical model b. Still need to use the medical model for insurance reimbursement c. Consider your own neurotypicality i. Social cues ii. Ability to filter sensory information iii. Shifting tasks iv. Social battery d. Saying the words vs. incorporating the ideals? i. Consider your website 1. Aesthetics 2. Language you use a. Say you are neurodivergent affirming but the information is based in the traditional medical model ii. Language in your documentation 1. “High functioning” iii. Office presentation – is it sensory inclusive? 5. Creating a Neurodivergent affirming practice (30 minutes) a. Addressing Sensory Needs b. Importance of Flexibility c. Inclusivity 6. Incorporating Neurodivergent Affirming Practices (with case examples) (30 minutes) a. Understanding that traditional therapy techniques may not apply b. The importance of language use c. Recognizing that you may not be able to rely on nonverbal communication d. Importance of being direct e. Importance of flexibility f. For assessment providers i. Use of language in reports ii. Flexible with testing but still following standard procedures iii. Be creative 7. How to handle it if a client prefers medical model terminology and process (15 minutes) 8. Final thoughts and questions (5 minutes)

This workshop offers 3 Continuing Education Credits
This webinar is recorded and will not grant live credits.

This presentation is open to:
  • Social Workers
  • Professional Counselors
  • Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
  • Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
  • Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
Course Level: intermediate
Level of Clinician: intermediate
  • New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
  • Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
  • Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
  • Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives

Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.

Disability Access - If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification. Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling. The grievance policy for trainings provided by NEFESH INTERNATIONAL is available here Satisfactory Completion Participants must have paid the tuition fee, logged in and out each day, attended the entire workshop, and completed an evaluation to receive a certificate (If this is a pre-recorded program, a post-test with a passing grade of 80% to receive a certificate.) Failure to log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion by clicking here.
There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
  • CE You! is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
    CE You! maintains responsibility for this program.
Refund Policy:
Full Refund until 48 hours before scheduled date.
48 hours before: full refund less $5.00 processing fee. After event no refund will be given.
*exclusions apply for reasonable need and cause.