The Social Model of Disability is a concept that moves the onus of disability from the individual to the greater society. This session will explore ways that this shift in mindset impacts the lived experience of ADHD and Autism.

- Stigma with supports and the role of creativity in developing supports that work
- Systems create problems that lead to “illegal” activity
- How layers of oppression compound (e.g.: racism & sane-ism)

OBJECTIVES

Session attendees will:

1. Learn how the Social Model of Disability can be an anti-oppressive framework for therapy.
2. Identify layers of oppression and how other “isms” impact ADHD and Autism.

CEs: 2 CEs (can count for Cultural Competence CEs, Law & Ethics CEs, or Health Equity CEs)

This session will include a Panel Discussion with 4-5 multi-marginalized ADHDers and Autistics.

Autism and ADHD are one of many possible oppressed identities. This panel will hear from folks who experience Neurodivergence and other marginalized identities.

This session will also focus on the importance of the disability movement to be intersectional. The attendees will be shown how to develop more cultural awareness.

OBJECTIVES

Session attendees will:

1. Explore how Neurodivergence is just one form of oppression.
2. Identify ways that ADHD and Autism are impacted by other types of marginalization.

CEs: 2 CEs (can count for Cultural Competence CEs, Law & Ethics CEs, or Health Equity CEs)

Living as a Neurodivergent person in today’s capitalist society means that it is harder than ever to avoid burnout. This class will investigate how to recognize burnout and support clients in affirming and non-oppressive ways. Attendees of this session will also learn about the role of excitement and joyful activities in burnout, as well as how suicide rates are related to ND burnout.

OBJECTIVES

Session attendees will:

1. Learn how ND burnout can present in phases.
2. Address the normalization of burnout and the needed supports to offset it.

CEs: 2 CEs (can count for Cultural Competence CEs or Health Equity CEs)

This session will take a deep dive into some of the most common physical and mental health issues associated with Autistic and ADHD experiences. It will also cover several differential diagnoses and ND experiences.

- HSP
- Twice/Thrice Exceptional

OBJECTIVES

Session attendees will:

1. Explore common physical differences that Autistics and ADHDers may experience.
2. Learn about co-occurring issues that are more prevalent in Neurodivergent people.

CEs: 2 Cultural Competence CEs

Co-Presented by B Lourenco and Lenni Shea, LMHCA, SUDP

Addiction is a common issue for Autistics and ADHDers. This class will address some of the reasons why this problem exists while also looking at ways to modify addiction treatment to accommodate neurodivergence.

- “Addiction” to ADHD medications
- The need for developing new routines and systems

OBJECTIVES

Session attendees will:

1. Identify reasons why the ND community has high rates of addiction.
2. Explore ND-affirming considerations when treating addiction.

CEs: 2 CEs (can count for Cultural Competence CEs or Health Equity CEs)

Due to several factors, how one experiences ADHD and Autism can change over one’s lifetime. This class will examine some factors associated with these changes and how they may impact ND individuals.

This session will also address the importance of creating ND developmental norms and intentionally questioning, “What is normal?”

OBJECTIVES

Session attendees will:

1. Explore the role of hormones on the ADHD and Autistic Experience
2. Learn about the ways the ADHD and Autistic experience may shift over the lifetime

CEs: 2 Cultural Competence CEs

This session will explore how the inherent differences of both ADHD and Autism can impact intimate relationships and sexual experiences for both Neurodivergent folks and their partners.

This session will also cover the overlap of kink and non-monogamy in neurodivergent (ND) communities. We will also be addressing the preponderance of sexual assault in ND communities.

OBJECTIVES

Session attendees will:

1. Learn how sensory and attending differences impact sexual experiences for ADHD and Autism.
2. Understand how emotional and communication differences impact sexual experiences for ADHD and Autism.

CEs: 2 Cultural Competence CEs

Although not currently recognized in the United States, pervasive drive for autonomy (PDA) is a neurodivergent profile that many people experience. This class will help clinicians identify this profile and how to support PDA in an affirming way.

We will also be comparing PDA to ODD and other mental health diagnoses. In addition, this session will explore the implications of PDA on families and relationships. Attendees will also gain an understanding of the diagnostic fallout from young children receiving a diagnosis of ODD (oppositional defiant disorder) and the relationship between PDA and ODD, and what is referred to as the school-to-prison pipeline.


OBJECTIVES

Session attendees will:

1. Explore Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (or Pathological Demand Avoidance from the medical model) from an ND-affirming lens.
2. Learn the social implications of PDA through both the medical and ND-affirming models.


CEs: 2 Cultural Competence CEs

The process of unmasking can bring excitement and euphoria while also inviting intense and sometimes unrelenting grief. Learn how the unmasking process may impact your clients and their loved ones, and how you can best support them.

This session will also present the impact of unmasking on one’s relationships and how to set up a new life that acknowledges disability.


OBJECTIVES

Session attendees will:

1. Explore the process of unmasking and skill regression and/or burnout.
2. Examine the process of making sense of self as a disabled person.


CEs: 2 Cultural Competence CEs