Neurodiversity Affirming Care: From Framework to Practice with Autistic Clients
with Mady Snyder, LMFT
In-Person CE Luncheon for Therapists
WHEN
Friday, November 6, 2026 | 11:00am - 2:00pm
10:30am check-in, presentation starts 11:00am
See specific timeframe breakdown below.
WHERE
El Torito Mexican Restaurant
(3333 E Foothill Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107)
COST
Licensed Members: $70
Licensed Non-members: $80
Associate Members: $50
Associate Non-members: $60
CE CREDITS
2.5
PROGRAMS CHAIR/EVENT ORGANIZER
Kathryn Bikle, LMFT
About This Event
This presentation introduces the foundations of Neurodiversity-affirming care and focuses on clinical considerations for working with Autistic clients specifically. We will start with an overview of the Neurodiversity paradigm, up-to-date language, and an overview of the Neurodivergent umbrella. We'll look at what neurodiversity-affirming care looks like in practice: moving beyond deficit-based models toward frameworks that honor neurodivergent ways of being. The session then turns to Autism-specific considerations that are essential to competent Neurodiversity-affirming clinical work: recognizing and addressing Autistic burnout, understanding patterns of misdiagnosis, expanding understanding of the Autistic profile, and identifying the mental health and medical conditions that commonly co-occur with Autism. Participants will leave with a clearer framework for recognizing these presentations in their own clients and adjusting their clinical approach accordingly.
We look forward to seeing you there! Registration closes November 4th.
Education Goals/Learning Objectives
By the end of this presentation participants will:
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Explain the Neurodiversity paradigm and use current, affirming language in clinical settings.
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Contrast deficit-based and Neurodiversity-affirming approaches and describe what affirming care looks like in practice.
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Apply an expanded understanding of the Autistic profile to recognize Autistic burnout and common patterns of misdiagnosis.
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Identify mental health and medical conditions that commonly co-occur with Autism and adjust clinical approaches accordingly.
Presenter
Mady Snyder, LMFT is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a private practice in South Pasadena, specializing in Neurodiversity-affirming care for Autistic adults, ADHDers, and mixed-neurotype couples and families. She is also a speaker, researcher, and consultant, and offers peer consultation to clinicians building Neurodiversity-affirming practices. Her work helps Neurodivergent people and their families understand themselves beyond a deficit lens.
Event Schedule
10:30-11:00am Check in and networking
11:00-11:10am Welcome by SGV-CAMFT President
11:10-11:15am Presenter Introduction by Program Chair
11:15am-1:45pm CE Presentation
1. Introduction and objectives (5 min)
2. The framework: Neurodiversity paradigm, current language, and the Neurodivergent umbrella (20 min)
3. From deficit-based to Neurodiversity-affirming care: what changes in practice (20 min)
4. Expanding the Autistic profile (15 min)
5. Patterns of misdiagnosis (15 min)
6. Autistic burnout: recognizing and responding (20 min)
7. Co-occurring mental health and medical conditions: clinical adjustments (15 min)
8. Adapting therapy for Autistic clients: environment, communication, and accommodations (20 min)
9. Closing and key takeaways (5 min)
10. Q & A (15 min)
1:45-2:00pm Closing Remarks/Announcements by SGV-CAMFT President
Questions?
Please email Kathryn Bikle, LMFT at kathryn.bikle@gmail.com with further inquiries about this event.
Other Details
View event policies here.
This is an introductory, intermediate, and advanced level course. This program will benefit LMFT, LPCC, LEP and LCSW licensees and pre-licensees.
This course meets the qualifications for 2.5 hours of continuing education law and ethics credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
CE credit will be awarded after completion of this course and a course evaluation, sent via email.
The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (SGV-CAMFT), provider #60957, is approved by CAMFT to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs. SGV-CAMFT maintains the responsibility for the program and all its content.
