Autism can be seen in many ways as a type of culture, with different ways of communicating, relating and doing life.  Many counsellors do not feel confident in working with Autistic adults or adapting their counselling practices to suit the needs of Autistic adults.  This is an underserviced population in the counselling space, with a lot of focus existing on the needs of Autistic children and/or with a very deficit approach.  This has led to Autistic adults experiencing ineffective or even harmful treatments. Additionally, many Autistic adults are put into the position of providing education to their mental health professionals about autism.

This is a 2hr live online interactive workshop for counsellors + other allied health professionals, filled with hands on strategies to make your counselling culturally competent and neurodiversity affirming.

• Learn about co-neurodivergences, gender and sexuality can present in Autistics

• Neurodiversity-affirming ways of using polyvagal theory affirming

• Develop cultural competence for counselling Autistic adults

In this training, you will learn about common co-neurodivergences that may impact on the counselling process and interact with autism.  These include neurodivergences such as ADHD, alexithymia, aphantasia, misophonia and others, as well as different presentations of gender and sexuality. 

We will look at how to apply polyvagal theory and how masking can be conceptualised as an automatic threat response. You will also learn how to develop a plan for unmasking safely that takes into account the needs of the individual. 

Lastly, we will look at Autism as being a culture and examine common communication differences between Autistics and allistics, including examining the double empathy problem. We will look at how counsellors can use different ways to communicate, as well as other adaptions that they can make to practice in a culturally competent way.

By the end of the workshop you will be able to: 

• Develop an understanding of the complex interaction between co-neuro divergences and Autism and the presentation of gender and sexuality in Autistic adults.

• Adapt your understanding of polyvagal theory to apply it in a neurodiversity affirming way and have practical strategies to help Autistic adults up and down regulate

• Understand autism as a culture and develop cultural competency in working with this group

This training has been designed with counsellors and psychotherapists in mind.  

But anyone who regularly works with Autistic adults or uses counselling skills as part of their profession will benefit from this training.

This is an interactive and hands on online workshop where you will gain knowledge, and practical advice and strategies to work with Autistic adults in a safe and effective way.  Combining in depth theory with experiential work and providing ample examples this online workshop will help you learn skills for creating more neurodiversity affirming practices to suit Autistic adults.

• Engaging & evidence based content

• Hands on activities designed to deepen your learning experience

• Lots of practical examples and strategies

I have tried to keep the costs low by keeping extras to a minimum.  You can add on these extras as suited to your budget.  All prices are inclusive of GST.

You can select each of these optional extras during checkout.  

1. Online resources - $10

• 100+ page resource pack delivered to you digitally to download

• Includes a copy of the slides & worksheets referenced in the presentation

2. Hard copy of resources - $60

• 100+ resource pack printed in colour in a folder, shipped to your address

• A free bonus sensory pack 

3. Post workshop group supervision (1.5hrs) - $75

• Run by a neurodivergent & qualified supervisor 

• Limited to 6 attendees

• PACFA or ACA membership mandatory for attendance

• Groups will run with 2 or more attendees

• Runs on the same day as the workshop from 12-1:30pm

A link will be provided to attendees at the end of the workshop to complete an online assessment.  After this, you will be able to download a certificate of completion.   

If you are an ACA member you will be able to claim 5 OPD points.  For other associations, please check your OPD policy

Workshop 

• Cancellation with more than 48hrs notice - refund of 80%

• Cancellation with less than 48hrs notice - no refund available 

Resources

• If resources have not yet been dispatched a 100% refund is available  

Group Supervision

• No refund is available for cancellations