Autism and ADHD in Children and Adolescents: A New Framework for Supporting Neurodivergent Clients and Their Families

CPD

Handouts

Faculty

Anna Clarke, Psychologist, Play Therapist, EMDRAA Accredited Consultant Related seminars and products

Co-Director

Divergent Futures

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Anna Clarke is a Psychologist and Play Therapist with a passion for supporting children and young people. With a background in Out of Home Care, they are passionate about the transformative powers of play in building healthier relationships and supporting emotion regulation. Anna holds a Master in Child Play Therapy and collaborates with parents, carers, schools, and stakeholders to provide collaborative care. They are passionate about early intervention, approaching behaviours through a trauma-informed and Neurodiversity-Affirming lens.

Anna actively advocates for Neurodiversity-Affirming approaches to therapy. Anna is also experienced working with survivors of sexual assault and family violence. They are currently part of the Witness Intermediary Pilot Scheme within the Tasmanian Department of Justice, where they conduct communication assessments during police interviews and court proceedings.

Anna is an EMDRAA Accredited Consultant and has undertaken advanced training in EMDR Therapy. Anna is an active member of the Australian EMDR Therapy community, contributing through collaborative research, facilitating a Neurodiversity-Affirming EMDR Peer Group, and providing support for therapists wishing to integrate Neurodiversity-Affirming practise into EMDR Therapy.

As Co-Director of Divergent Futures, they offer education, training, and consulting in Neurodiversity-Affirming practice. Anna is an experienced public speaker, addressing topics such as violent behaviours, trauma-informed care, managing power imbalances in therapy, and strengths-based treatment for eating disorders.

Outside of their professional pursuits, Anna enjoys hiking in the Tasmanian bush, reading, boxing, and art.

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Anna Clarke maintains a private practice and is the co-director of Divergent Futures. They have employment relationships with Deakin University and the Tasmanian Department of Justice. Anna Clarke receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. They have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Anna Clarke has no relevant non-financial relationships.

Objectives

1. Providing a thorough introduction to the Neurodiversity Affirming Movement (NAM) to support practitioner’s understanding of strengths-based frameworks for working with Autistic/ADHD clients
2. Conceptualising the Autistic/ADHD child as part of a broader system and how social structures, ableism, and implicit biases impact how we support children
3. Identifying the underlying functions of “challenging behaviours” and responding through an affirming lens
4. Understanding differences in ways Autistic/ADHD children communicate and engage in play
5. Addressing barriers to treatment and ways to increase involvement from parents and stakeholders in the child’s care
6. Managing power imbalance when working with children with disability
7. Co-regulation strategies with Autistic/ADHD children
8. Neurodiversity-affirming accommodations across therapy, home, and school environments

Outline

• Get a comprehensive introduction to Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy

• Learn about common myths and misunderstandings about cognitions, behaviours and regulation responses

• Explore the developmental neuropsychology and the unique features in Autism and ADHD

• Learn to identify Autistic and ADHD behaviour, coping and functioning

• Emphasize strengths-based frameworks for working with Autistic/ADHD clients 

• Discover research-backed interventions and specific step-by-step skills and methods for effectively supporting neurodivergent children and adolescents to best outcomes

• Uncover unique ways in which Autistic/ADHD children communicate and engage

• Interpret the social and emotional cues of Autisitic and ADHD children whilst supporting the development of communication and relational skills

• Develop fluent and effective communication skills specific to the emotional and cognitive needs of Autistic/ADHD children and adolescents

• Learn to distinguish, navigate, and alleviate issues related to sensory stimulation, processing, motor skills and overload

• Address social stigma in neurodivergent individuals and provide psycho-education to them and to their care-givers

• Identify and overcome obstacles that impede treatment effectiveness for neurodivergent clients. 

• Discover simple to apply interventions for:

  • improving executive functioning

  • exploring and developing emotional intelligence

  • tuning into social and self-awareness

  • valuing difference and growing self-esteem and confidence

• Master coaching techniques to support parents and caregivers in fostering a supportive environment

• Understand the underlying reasons for 'challenging behaviors’ and respond with an affirming, empathetic approach

• Understand how neurodivergent children’s wellbeing is influenced by their broader social and familial systems, recognizing external influences like ableism and biases

• Learn how play can be a powerful tool in engaging and supporting Autistic/ADHD children 

• Parent and Stakeholder Engagement Strategies:

  • Develop methods to increase active involvement from parents and other key figures in the child's care

  • Master strategies for effectively co-regulating with Autistic/ADHD children 

• Adapting Environments for Neurodiversity:

  • Learn how to make therapeutic, home, and school settings more accommodating for neurodiverse individuals

  • Learn to work collaboratively with other professionals and stakeholders in the care of neurodivergent young clients

• Discover proven strategies to help children with Autism or ADHD develop resilience 

• Consider the impact of diet and medications

• Learn how to build strong, positive, and affirming therapeutic relationships with neurodivergent clients and their families