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Neuro-Affirming Practice Unpacked: Empowering Neurodivergent Wellbeing A 4-Part Online Workshop Series
By the end of this workshop series, participants will be able to:
- Define neurodiversity and explain key principles of the neurodiversity paradigm
- Understand the principles of neuro-affirming practice
- Critically examine the paradigm shift neuro-affirming practice represents within therapy—moving away from deficit-based models toward affirming neurodivergent identity, communication, and ways of being
- Identify and challenge neuronormative frameworks and biases.
- Apply neuro-affirming strategies in therapeutic work
- Use language, goals, and processes that affirm and empower neurodivergent wellbeing
- Understand and support the strengths, needs, and communication styles of Autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, and neuroqueer people
- Promote self-advocacy and positive identity formation for neurodivergent individuals
- Recognise the value of lived experience in creating ethical, inclusive, and affirming practice
Overview
This 4-part online professional development series is designed for counsellors, arts therapists, and helping professionals committed to embedding neuro-affirming and intersectional approaches in their mahi.
Grounded in the neurodiversity paradigm, intersectional awareness, and tailored to Aotearoa, this series weaves together theory, lived experience, reflective practice, and actionable strategies to support Autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, neurodivergent, and neuroqueer individuals in affirming, respectful, and empowering ways.
This neuro-affirming professional development series focuses on understanding neurodiversity, the neurodiversity paradigm, and the foundations of neuro-affirming practice. With a small group format (maximum 25 participants), it enables meaningful learning, rich dialogue, and collaborative growth. Spacing the sessions across a number of weeks allows participants to reflect, experiment, and embed strategies between workshops.
Key Learning Points
- What is neurodiversity, and what does it mean to practice in neuro-affirming ways?
- Understanding neuronormativity and moving away from deficit-based models
- Reframing Autism and ADHD through lived experience and affirming language
- Te Ao Māori perspectives — including Dr Byron Rangiwai’s Pīwākawaka metaphor for Aroreretini (ADHD)
- Principles of neurodivergent-affirming therapeutic practice
- Empowerment-focused approaches to supporting neurodivergent wellbeing
- Exploring masking, burnout, and energy accounting
- Exploring supporting authenticity, communication, and the unmasking process
- Honouring neurodivergent communication styles and promoting self-advocacy
- Embedding neuro-affirming goals, language, and processes into practice
- Neuroqueer perspectives and intersectional identities
- The value of lived experience in shaping affirming and ethical practice
Each session blends theory, group discussion, creative reflection, case examples, and lived experience to explore how neuro-affirming practice can be applied in real-world settings.
Certificate
A certificate will be available if you attend all four sessions.
The Facilitator
Abigail Raymond (she/her/ai)
Neurodivergent (AuDHD) counsellor, arts therapist, clinical supervisor, trainer and mother based in Tāmaki Makaurau. My practice combines lived experience with professional training, research, and two decades of clinical experience. I work with whānau, schools, organisations, and professionals to develop neuro-inclusive and affirming supports that empower autistic and neurodivergent individuals. In my private practice I provide neuro-affirming support for parents of autistic and neurodivergent children, clinical supervision for professionals, and training on neurodivergent and queer affirming practice. I am a full member and approved supervisor with both NZAC and ANZACATA.
Details
Places are limited to 25 attendees and ticket sales close on Thursday 21st August.
When: This four part workshop series will run between 10am – 1.30pm (There will be a 30 minute break around 11.30am ) on the following Fridays:
- 29 August
- 5 September
- 12 September
Then a break to put learning into practice with the final session on
- 17 October
Please also pencil out 31 October, as a back up date in case of facilitator illness or other circumstances that mean we have to reschedule a session.
You need to attend all sessions to get a certificate of attendance.
Where: Online via Zoom
Fees:
- NZAC Provisional and Full Members $471.73
- Non NZAC Members $622.16
(incl. GST) (Limited spaces)