Overview

Autistic and ADHD individuals are disproportionately affected by trauma, often due to experiences of social exclusion, sensory overwhelm, minority stress, and systemic barriers in healthcare, education, and employment. Conventional trauma treatments may not always translate effectively when applied without adaptation, creating risks of misattunement, retraumatisation, or unintentional reinforcement of neuronormative assumptions.

This one-day workshop will provide psychologists with a comprehensive framework for working safely and effectively with autistic and ADHD clients who have experienced trauma. Drawing on current evidence and neurodiversity-affirming principles, the training will highlight the importance of adapting therapeutic approaches to meet the sensory, cognitive, and relational needs of Autistic and ADHD individuals.

The workshop will cover the role of somatic practices in regulating arousal and supporting embodied safety, the application of practical grounding and skills-building strategies, and adaptations of EMDR therapy and schema therapy for Autistic and ADHD individuals. Emphasis will be placed on collaborative, affirming practices that validate lived experience and support identity development, while also addressing systemic contributors to distress. Through a combination of lecture, case examples, and interactive discussion, participants will gain practical tools to expand their clinical repertoire and confidence in delivering trauma-informed care to Autistic and ADHD clients.

 

Learning Outcomes

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

• Describe the unique presentations of trauma in autistic and ADHD individuals and the role of systemic and sensory stressors.
• Apply trauma-informed adaptations of somatic and skills-based practices for Autistic and ADHD clients.
• Identify key modifications to EMDR and schema therapy that enhance safety, accessibility, and effectiveness for autistic and ADHD populations.
• Demonstrate strategies for integrating affirming practices that counter neuronormativity and promote resilience and self-advocacy.
• Critically reflect on therapist assumptions and systemic barriers in order to provide more inclusive and empowering trauma care.

Presenter(s)

Mr. Liam Spicer

About the presenter(s)

Liam Spicer (he/him) is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Psychologist, EMDR Trainer & Consultant, and Accredited ISST Schema Therapist. As an Autistic ADHDer, he brings lived neurodivergent experience to his work. He coordinates Cairnmillar’s Postgraduate Certificate in Trauma Informed Care and delivers EMDR Level 1 training for Psychology Training. Liam has presented internationally on EMDR, Schema Therapy, trauma, grief, Autism, and ADHD, and has delivered webinars for organisations including EMDR Association of Australia, AAPi, Headspace, and APS. He contributed to the Routledge International Handbook of Child and Adolescent Grief and co-authored a widely recognised paper on Early Maladaptive Schemas in Autistic and ADHD individuals. He is also part of Australia’s first working group developing clinical guidelines for MDMA-AP in PTSD treatment. Liam's current PhD is focused on the development and application of Schema Therapy for Prolonged Grief and he has hosted workshops across Australia on the integration of EMDR and Schema Therapy among other topics. His clinical focus includes trauma, dissociation, grief, depression, phobias, and anxiety, working primarily with Autistic and ADHD adults through a neuroaffirming lens. He is the director of the Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy Conference Australia and actively involved in related research projects.

Notes

Registration includes lunch and light refreshments for morning and afternoon tea.

Target Audience

This event is aimed at psychologists who wish to increase their knowledge of working with autistic and ADHD diagnosed adults.

Duration of Access

This event will not be recorded.

CPD

It is up to attendees 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.