Understanding and Working with Neurodiversity

Introduction:

This course aims to support learners to gain a greater understanding of neurodiversity by affirming therapeutic approaches, enabling them to develop relational sensitivity and a more inclusive and adaptive psychotherapeutic practice. Regrettably, standard approaches to therapy can overlook the needs and experiences of neurodivergent clients resulting in rupture in the therapeutic relationship and often therapeutic drop out. Learners will be given specific knowledge, skills and competencies necessary for understanding and working with Neurodiverse clients. The course provides opportunities for the development of clinical skills and competencies, as well as skills in the application of regulatory and ethical guidelines. The Module also builds Reflexive Practice by encouraging learners to acknowledge their own relationship to the issues explored in the course and how this might impact on their clinical practice.

Course Content:

The course will be discussion-based with an experiential element. The content will include the following themes:

• The Scope and Nature of Neurodiversity
• The Neurodiversity Paradigm
• Neurodivergent brains and neurotypical brains
• Navigating a neurotypical world
• Gender and Sexuality
• The Therapeutic Environment and Sensory awareness
• Sensory language, and interventions
• Working creatively
• The Therapeutic Relationship and power dynamics
• Psychological safety, pacing and attunement
• Neuro-affirming approaches
• Rupture and Repair
• How Masking works
• Stigma
• What is meant by Double Empathy
• Neurodivergent informed case conceptualisation
• The role of Stimming
• Autistic Burnout
• Co- regulation tools- including polyvagal theory and interoception
• The role of Self-Assessment for Neurodivergent clients
• Understanding the Medical and Social Model of Neurodiversity
• The Role of Advocacy
• Ethical issues, legal requirements codes of practice and professional guidelines related to working therapeutically with Neurodivergent clients