AIFS and Emerging Minds – How to use neurodivergent-affirming strategies to support child mental health
April 2 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Presenters: Esther Fidock (The Neuro-Nurture Collective), Emilia Zygocki (Small Hands Occupational Therapy), Jaisen Mahne (Child and Family Partner) and Jacquie Lee (Emerging Minds)
This World Autism Day join our expert panel as they discuss how you can better support the mental health of autistic and ADHDer children (see note).
In Australia, an estimated 3.4% of children (5–14 years) are autistic, while an estimated 5% have ADHD. These diagnoses fall under the umbrella term ‘neurodivergence’ – brain functioning that differs from the current social and cultural norm i.e. ‘neurotypical’ functioning.
Although autism and ADHD are classified as disorders, a growing body of research suggests neurodivergence is simply a natural difference in neurocognitive functioning. Children with autism or ADHD have specific strengths that mean they can outperform ‘neurotypical’ children in certain situations. Despite this, we live in a neurotypical world, with rules, systems and environments that aren’t designed for neurodivergent brains. This can be a difficult and disabling experience for many children.
Research shows that over three-quarters of autistic children and almost half of ADHDers have at least one mental health condition. Given this, it is essential we work to understand and accommodate neurodivergent children’s needs and differences.
This webinar will explore how you can use neurodivergent-affirming strategies to better support the mental health and wellbeing of autistic and ADHDer children.
This webinar will help you:
- apply a neurodivergent-affirming lens to your work with children and families
- understand the impact that neurotypical societies and systems have on neurodivergent children’s mental health
- adapt and apply neurodivergent-affirming practice strategies to suit your context
- better support the mental health of autistic and ADHDer children and their families.
This webinar will be of interest to practitioners who work with autistic and ADHDer children and their families in a broad range of settings including child and adolescent mental health services, disability services, non-government organisations, primary health and schools. It may be especially helpful for early career professionals and those who have limited experience working with neurodivergent clients.
This webinar is co-produced by CFCA at the Australian Institute of Family Studies and Emerging Minds in a series focusing on children’s mental health. They are working together as part of the Emerging Minds: National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health, which is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care under the National Support for Child and Youth Mental Health Program.
Note: This promotional material uses identity-first (e.g. autistic children, ADHDer children) rather than person-first language (children with ADHD). Person-first language places a person’s identity before their disability and is commonly used in Australia. However, many autistic and neurodivergent people have voiced strong preferences for identity-first language because they feel that their neurodivergence is a core part of their identity. Individuals have the right to decide how they are described and the terms used in this promotion are not used by all people.
Date & time: Wednesday 2 April 2025, 1:00 – 2:00PM (AEDT). Find your time zone.