Image description: a banner for the training ‘Neurodiversity affirming practice for mental health’ with event details. Black text on a light blue background.
An Introduction to Neurodiversity Affirming Practice for Mental Health
Event details:
An in person workshop exploring neurodiversity affirming practice for mental health, delivered by a multiply neurodivergent occupational therapist. Event flyer available here.
When: Wednesday 4th June, 12-5pm
Where: The Cave, Revolution Centre, 442 Tuam Street, Christchurch
Cost: $220 full/$170 concession
In this training we will cover:
Core principles of neurodiversity affirming practice
The overlaps of neurodiversity affirming practice with recovery and trauma informed care principles
Useful definitions
Medical and social models of disability
Co-occurring conditions, missed and misdiagnosis
Sensory processing, alexithymia
Communication and the double empathy problem
Lived experience feedback
Support and accommodations, including universal design
Action steps and changes to practice
I will use practical examples and activities with the aim of you having things you can take back to your workplace/life to start creating change.
This is a big and complex area of practice and being neurodiversity affirming is an ongoing practice, not something you just tick off once. This is to give you a base understanding of some of the concepts and important things to consider to help you in your process of becoming more neurodiversity affirming.
Image descriptions: 1. Picture of a brown haired person with blue glasses looking at the camera and smiling, with a with dog and with a brown eye patch at the bottom of the picture. 2. Photo from a previous training of some of the additional resources I’ll be bringing, e.g. sensory kit, paper, pens, fidgets, resources. 3. Picture of a small sensory kit in a box with cards, a ball, a rock, shells and a soft toy.
What’s included:
Digital copy of presentation slides and printed copy of activities worksheet
Google drive folder of additional resources
Range of pens, paper and fidgets for use during the training
Tea and snacks
5 hours of training and discussion
Fidget item to take home
Details about the space:
The Cave is one of the venues at the Revolution Centre, 442 Tuam St, Christchurch.
Access is down a half flight of steps. A level entrance is available and I will have a helper on site to assist anyone who needs to use the level entrance.
There is access to a kitchen and a play space. The kitchen has crockery, a hot water urn, fridge and oven.
Slides will be up on screens and I will set up trestle tables with chairs. There are a couple of beanbags and a couch as well. Chairs with backs are available, not just the stools pictured.
Supporting each other:
Please bring something to write with and something to write on, as well as other supports for yourself e.g. water, snacks, fidgets, a footstool etc.
You are welcome to do things that support your learning, e.g. use fidgets, sit on the floor, stretch, etc.
If you don’t want to ask a question out loud, you are welcome to write it down and pass it to me.
To support my focus and sensory sensitivities please don’t use noisy fidgets, wear strong perfume or eat noisy snacks during the presentation.
We will aim for a 10 minute break after each 55 minutes for you to move around
Please respect different people’s lived experience and identities. Everyone will be at a different point in their learning.
The handout will be emailed to you ahead of time so you can choose to print it out. You are welcome to use a device during the presentation to take notes, just please make sure it is on silent. I will put a copy of the slides up on a projector screen.
The presentation will not be recorded and please do not take personal audio or video recordings of the content.
There will be some practical activities and discussion. It is ok to work alone and to use different methods of communication to contribute to discussion.
Please maintain confidentiality and respect privacy when sharing examples and do not use any identifying details.
About me:
I'm a multiply neurodivergent and chronically ill occupational therapist who is passionate about people living full and meaningful lives. As health professionals we have a responsibility to support our clients and explore with them what supports will work for their unique characteristics and experiences. Sensory processing is one of my special interests!
I am based in Mōhua/Golden Bay, and live with my dog and husband in a tiny house.
I am working on creating a private practice that is set up to support my needs and that is in line with my interests, so I can have a balanced and authentic life.
Other events while in Christchurch
I will also be delivering my Understanding and Supporting Sensory Processing for Mental Health training on the 7th of June, 12:30-4:30pm at the same venue. Bookings available here: https://www.trybooking.com/nz/WYX
If you would like to attend both trainings, please contact me for a discount code for $50 off each training on rebecca@chronicresilienceot.com