Overview

Due to the high demand on this topic and the previous event is already fully booked, we are pleased to announce the Melbourne Branch committee have organised and re-run the same upcoming in-person event: Neurodiversity-Affirming Autism and ADHD Practice event with Ms Sandhya Menon at the Ibis Hotel Melbourne.

This full-day workshop (9:00-4:30pm) aims to equip clinicians with the knowledge and skills around neurodiversity-affirming practice for both children, adolescents, and adults, with a specific focus on Autism and ADHD support. In 2023, Autism CRC released their National Guideline for Supporting the Learning, Participation and Wellbeing of Autistic Children and their families in Australia.  Recommendation 14 listed outlined the need for supports to be neurodiversity affirming as a strong recommendation. Evidence for this outcome related to broader research evidence trends, professional standards, national regulations, and international conventions. Neurodiversity affirming practice is a considerable shift in the way we practice from old behaviourist methods of supporting autistic people, and support is required along this journey of learning and unlearning.

This workshop will equip you with the skills of understanding the neurodiversity affirming movement from a critical, nuanced lens and understand how to both conceptualise and implement supports in sensitive and respectful ways that align to the paradigm shift. Walk away with both philosophical reflections as well as concrete tools to make your practice more affirming.

Refreshments to be provided

Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.

Targeted audience

This activity is aimed at psychologists and health professionals.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this event, participants should be able to:

• understand the foundations of neurodiversity affirming practice,
• articulate the reason for the shift away from behaviourist practice,
• implement inclusive practice and changes to assessments,
• establish neurodiversity-affirming recommendations,
• conceptualise differentials in treatment plans,
• write reports and goals from a neuro-affirming lens, and
• consider neuro-affirming practice holistically from intake to discharge.

Presenter(s)

Sandhya Menon

About the presenter(s)

Sandhya Menon is a neurodivergent Educational and Developmental Psychologist, with a strong interest in neuro-affirming autistic and ADHD practice. Her primary area of practice is in paediatric psychology, running Onwards and Upwards Psychology online. Sandhya is a Board-Approved Supervisor and supervises Educational and Developmental Psychology registrars as well as fully registered clinicians around the world. She delivers talks and is a regular speaker at national conferences such as Yellow Ladybugs and Autism from the Inside Out, helping parents, clinicians, and schools to understand and meet the needs of neurodivergent individuals better. Sandhya creates resources to help others operate from the neuro-affirming paradigm, with signature, comprehensive courses on Raising your Autistic Child Authentically and Raising your ADHDer, which offers parents and clinicians alike a way of understanding the neurotype. She is the author of The Brain Forest, a book that introduces neurodiversity and inclusive practice to children, as well as The Rainbow Brain, which talks about the seemingly dialectical pulls of the Autistic/ADHDer brain to represent those who are multiply neurodivergent. Her latest book on energy accounting, My Body’s Power Pack, is due to be released in later 2024.

Notes

It is up to attendees in attendance to assess and determine how learning from this event aligns with the requirements of their learning plan. The providers accordingly do not make any representation that the event counts towards attendees CPD learning requirements. If an attendee determines themselves that the learning they complete aligns to their learning plan, then they can decide to count those hours towards their CPD requirements for the registration cycle. The information in this presentation has been prepared in good faith and for educational purposes only. Therefore, the information is general in nature and should not be relied upon in the treatment of any condition and you should seek your own independent professional and/or legal advice concerning any specific issue. The APS accepts no responsibility for any errors, omissions or decisions relating to the information. The content should not be reproduced without permission or unless permitted by law. If you are experiencing registration difficulties please contact APS Events Support.