Neurodiversity and the Ethics of Freedom

CPD

Faculty

Andrew Reichart, AMFT Related seminars and products

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Andrew Reichart is a therapist, educator, writer, editor, and publisher. As a psychotherapist, he specializes in working with neurodivergent adults, both individuals and couples where either or both partners are or may be neurodivergent. He is devoted to countering the inaccurate pathologization of healthy diversity, helping to distinguish between culturally specific normative expectations and actual health concerns. He teaches Introduction to Neurodiversity Studies at California Institute for Integral Studies and is a partner in the publishing collective Autonomous Press. He lives in California with his wife and a couple of dogs.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Andrew Reichart receives compensation as a psychotherapist coach and has employment relationships with Argawarga Press Imprint and Beezwax Datatools, Inc. He receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Andrew Reichart has no relevant non-financial relationships.

 

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Objectives

1. Define key neurodiversity-related terms (e.g., neurodiverse, neurodivergent, neurotypical, neuronormative, neurominority) to establish a shared language for ethical practice.
2. Identify ethical principles such as cognitive liberty, bodily autonomy, and consent that inform neuro-affirming care.
3. Summarize the impact of language and representation on autonomy, self-concept, and stigma within clinical contexts.

Outline

Foundations of the Neurodiversity Paradigm

• Core terms: neurodiverse, neurodivergent, neurotypical, neuronormative
• Historical and social roots of the movement
• Misconceptions: expanding normativity vs rejecting it
• Paradigm shift from deficit models to diversity frameworks
• Ethical integration of diversity-affirming and medical frameworks in autism care

Language, Power, and Representation

• Impact of terminology on autonomy and identity
• Inclusive and affirming communication principles
• Harmful language patterns and their cultural implications
• Examples of reframing language in professional dialogue

Building Neuro-Affirming Environments

• Strength-based support frameworks for diverse thinkers
• Collaboration and shared decision-making
• Accessibility and sensory-informed spaces
• Risks and limitations: challenges in implementation and research gaps
• Q&A and integration of participant experiences

Target Audience

• Counsellors 
• Educators
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Physical Therapists
• Physicians
• Psychologists
• Social Workers
• Speech-Language Pathologists