Autism and Neuroaffirmative Practice: A Clinical Deep Dive(2 days training)
About this training
Most therapists graduate without a single lecture on autism. Not one. And yet autistic clients are sitting in our rooms every day... diagnosed, undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, and everything in between.
In recent years, terms like "neurodiversity-affirming practice" have started appearing everywhere. On therapist profiles, in CPD catalogues, in job descriptions. But what does it actually mean to practice in a neuroaffirmative way? What does it look like in the room, in the way you structure a session or the approaches you use?
This training is a deep dive. If you've done training with me before, you'll know that's not a throwaway phrase. I don't do surface level. This is not an Autism 101. We are going all the way in: the neurodiversity paradigm, the science, the ethics, the clinical application, and the hard questions that neuroaffirmative practice actually asks of us as therapists.
Over two full days we'll cover the autistic neurotype in real depth: monotropism, the Double Empathy Problem, sensory processing, interoception, masking, burnout, intersectionality... We'll look at the overlap with ADHD and other neurotypes, because autistic clients rarely arrive in neat, single-diagnosis packages. We'll also create space for those of you who are neurodivergent yourselves, explore what it means to be a neurodivergent therapist, how your own neurotype shows up in the room, and how to work with.
And we'll spend significant time on clinical application: how to actually adapt your practice, your therapeutic frame, and your approach to goal-setting in a way that affirms.
This training will challenge some of what you were taught. It will ask you to sit with discomfort and examine your own conditioning. That's the point.
What makes this training different:
Not an Autism 101 — this is a deep dive
Theory and clinical application, not just awareness
Covers ADHD overlap and other neurotypes
Space for neurodivergent therapists too
What to expect:
Slides, frameworks and reflective exercises
Case studies
10 hours CPD certificate
Resource list included
Online via Zoom
Schedule
Day 1 — Saturday 26th September · Understanding Autism and the Neuroaffirmative Framework
10:00am – 1:00pm · 1 hour lunch break · 2:00pm – 4:00pm
A brief history of autism and why it still shapes clinical practice today
The neurodiversity paradigm — from deficit model to difference model
Understanding the autistic neurotype in depth
Masking, camouflage and autistic burnout
Intersectionality and diverse presentations : gender, race, LGBTQIA+
The overlap with ADHD and other neurotypes
Therapist positionality — examining your own conditioning and bias; space for neurodivergent therapists to explore how their own neurotype shows up in the room
Day 2 — Saturday 3rd October · The Neuroaffirmative Therapist: Skills, Ethics & Clinical Application
10:00am – 1:00pm · 1 hour lunch break · 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Ethics and harm in autism practice — ABA, social skills training, and the therapy vs. cure question
Adapting the therapeutic frame — intake, communication, sensory considerations, PDA profile
Emotions, regulation and the body — alexithymia, polyvagal theory, stimming, adapted approaches
Neuroaffirmative formulation and goal-setting
Case study workshop — live formulation as a group
Going forward — resources, supervision.
Investment
Early bird · €120 — available until 31st August 2026
Full price · €140 — from 1st September 2026
Both options include attendance across both days and your 10-hour CPD certificate.
If cost is a barrier, please get in touch before assuming this training isn't for you.
Tickets
Please note: booking one ticket covers both days. You must attend both days to receive your CPD certificate.
By booking you confirm you are a qualified or trainee therapist, counsellor, psychologist, or other mental health professional.
