Neurodiversity-Affirming Considerations for Clinical Practice

  • Instructor: Erin St John, LCSW
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  • Level: Beginner
  • 1.75 CE credits
Course description

This training introduces clinicians to neurodiversity through an affirming, strengths-based lens, with a focus on inclusive and individualized therapeutic practices. Participants will gain foundational knowledge of the neurodiversity paradigm and its application within clinical contexts, including an overview of common neurodivergent conditions such as autism and ADHD. The course explores the unique characteristics and experiences of neurodivergent individuals, highlighting the systemic biases and harms they often face in therapeutic settings and general society.

Target audience: social workers, therapists, counselors, educators, advocates, and human service professionals.

Registration & information
  • Includes lifetime access so you can revisit as your practice evolves.
  • On-demand format means you can pause, rewind, and complete modules at any time, on your own schedule.
  • Captioned for accessibility and increased focus.


Support
  • Please email support@dointhework.com if you have any questions, concerns, or grievances about this course, or for ADA accommodation.


Refund Policy
  • At Doin' The Work, are committed to providing high-quality courses. Since our recorded courses are delivered digitally and provide immediate access to content, all sales are final, and we do not offer refunds.
More About the Course
Clinicians will learn the core principles of neurodiversity-affirming therapy—such as identity-first language, respect for autonomy, and the importance of accommodations and sensory support—and how to apply them in real-world practice. Emphasis is placed on adapting interventions, treatment planning, and the therapeutic environment to support diverse needs, communication differences, and strengths. Participants will also explore strategies for unmasking support, fostering self-advocacy, burnout prevention, and tailoring care to honor the full spectrum of neurodivergent identities and experiences.

Learning Objectives

  1. Define the concept of neurodiversity and explain its relevance within therapeutic practice.
  2. Identify common neurodivergent conditions, traits or characteristics, and forms of harm or bias that neurodivergent individuals may experience.
  3. Describe the principles and values of neurodiversity-affirming therapy, including identity-first language, autonomy, use of accommodations, sensory support/respect, and more.
  4. Apply practical strategies to create and implement neurodiversity-affirming treatment planning, therapeutic interventions, and therapy environments (e.g., communication preferences, sensory accommodations, encouraging unmaking, strengths-based approaches, and more).
  5. Differentiate the diversity within neurodivergent populations (e.g., autism, ADHD, OCD, dyslexia, Tourette's, and others) and tailor therapeutic approaches accordingly.

Erin St. John, LCSW—featured instructor with Doin’ The Work, therapist—smiling and wearing round glasses, colorful beaded earrings, a dark blazer, and dinosaur-print overalls, standing against a white wall background.

Erin St John, LCSW

Therapist, educator, advocate
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Erin St John (she/they) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who graduated from the University of South Florida with a master’s degree in Social Work. Erin has previously resided in Colorado and Florida before moving to Connecticut in 2025. She has previous experience working as a School Social Worker, a community-based therapist, and an outpatient therapist prior to establishing her own private therapy practice. Erin currently owns and operates Humans Helping Humans Counseling LLC and specializes in working with queer, neurodivergent, and chronically-ill/disabled populations. As a queer, AuDHD human who lives with chronic illness and disability herself, Erin is passionate about working with these vulnerable populations. Erin is also trained in EMDR therapy, as well as Safe and Sound Protocol, and operates with a trauma-informed and polyvagal-informed lens.

Course Completion & CE Information
Course completion requirements: Social workers must complete the entire course and complete a course evaluation to be eligible for CE credit.  

Social workers must pass the posttest with 80% in unlimited attempts to be eligible for CE credit.  

Certificates of completion will be available through our online platform as soon as course evaluations are completed.
Doin’ The Work LLC, provider #2355, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 04/18/2025–03/18/2026. Social workers completing this course receive 1.75 clinical continuing education credits.

View a list of states and provinces that accept ACE.
System requirements
  • An internet connection – broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE or 5G)
  • Speakers and a microphone – built-in, USB plug-in, or wireless Bluetooth
  • Supported operating systems: Windows 10 (not S Mode), Windows 11, macOS X (10.13) or later, Ubuntu 12.04 or higher
  • Supported web browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari – all must be current or past 2 versions


This recorded asynchronous course was originally recorded on October 13, 2025.
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