Description
🤔 Should the concept of the neurodiversity paradigm influence and impact “early interventions” for young autistic children?
What does the neurodiversity paradigm have to do with “early interventions” for young autistic children?
Many therapy providers—including speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and early childhood educators—are now describing their work with young Autistic children as “neurodiversity-affirming.” But what does that actually look like in practice?
This course offers an in-depth exploration of therapies for young Autistic children through the lens of the neurodiversity paradigm. Moving beyond traditional behaviorist methods, this training centers contemporary, peer-reviewed research to examine evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming therapy approaches.
Participants will gain practical, research-backed strategies to support the mental health, communication, autonomy, and long-term well-being of Autistic children. This course is designed for therapy professionals committed to aligning their practices with the values of disability rights, inclusion, and authentic neurodiversity-affirming care.
🎯 Gain insight into
➥ Understanding Autistic Trauma: Explore the sources of autistic trauma and its long-term outcomes. Learn how therapists and educators can mitigate or exacerbate these outcomes, impacting long-term mental health.
➥ Autistic Neurology Overview: Gain insights into the latest research on autistic sensory processing, movement, and communication profiles—to better understand young autistic experiences.
➥ Research on Young Autistic Socialization: Unpack the latest findings on joint attention, eye contact, play, and the double empathy problem, which may make you rethink your “intervention” plan.
➥ Autistic Masking and Camouflaging: Learn the implications of these behaviors on autistic mental health from a young age and strategies to support autistic authenticity.
➥ Behavioral Insights: Address misunderstandings around aggressive or problematic behaviors with a practical checklist for providers and families.
➥ Therapy and Classroom Guidelines: Gauge which therapeutic practices to prioritize and which to abandon to help young autistic children thrive.
➥ Goal Makeovers: Rethink “early intervention” goals through an evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming lens.
➥ Educating Parents and Caregivers: Flip the pathology narrative on autism with evidence and offer parents and caregivers education on truly neurodiversity-affirming approaches.
✨ Included:
☑A comprehensive slide handout
☑ Course handouts for reference
☑ Detailed list of full citations for further study
☑ Certificate of Attendance for 2 hours of professional development
► Presenter: Julie Roberts, M.S., CCC-SLP, Founder of Therapist Neurodiversity Collective
► 2 hours of Professional Development credit
► On-Demand Course: Therapy Providers have access to the recording and materials for 180 days from the date of enrollment.
► Audience: Therapy Providers who work with young Autistic children.
🔓🔓🔓 (Therapy Neurodiversity Collective Members, this course is included in your membership!)
Julie Roberts, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a formally late-diagnosed Autistic Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) specializing in neurodiversity-paradigm-centered approaches to therapy and education, with a special focus on autistic social communication. She is a neurodiversity paradigm advocate, writer and speaker who delivers high-energy presentations that challenge audiences to re-examine their beliefs about Autism and outdated and damaging therapy and education practices. Her work centers on teaching culturally responsive, evidence-based approaches and strategies that advance the emancipation goals of the Neurodiversity Movement, deconstruct autism stigma and bias, and prioritize good mental health and quality of life outcomes for autistic populations. Julie has had the opportunity to present professional development courses to thousands of therapists, and her frequently cited articles and educational tools have reached an extensive audience worldwide.
In 2018, Julie founded Therapist Neurodiversity Collective, Inc.™, an international neurodiversity-affirming therapy, education, and advocacy organization that aims to
✦ Champion a transformative vision of acceptance and equitable inclusion for autistic, other-neurodivergent, and other-disabled people.
✦ Offer unparalleled, free and affordable public education that upholds the value of neurodiversity, highlighting contemporary autism research, trauma-informed practices, and methodologies built on presuming competence and upholding dignity and human rights.
✦ Foster partnerships and professional growth for therapist members aligned with the neurodiversity paradigm.
After this course, You will
- identify reasons why a social, physical, or sensory environment can impact a young autistic child’s behavior.
- ascertain reasons why traditional autism service provisions may result in harmful mental health outcomes.
- apply key considerations when assessing and planning for ethical, evidence-based, trauma-informed services for young autistic children.
- Be equipped to counter harmful goals and approaches with contemporary research evidence.
