NEURODIVERGENCE: AUTISM

Autism Continuing Education for Mental Health Professionals 

Neurodiversity-Affirming Clinical Practice

IF YOU ARE A CLIENT SEEKING INFORMATION CLICK HERE

COUNSELING INFO

 

APRIL 17, 2026

9:00 - 1:30 PM CDT  $100

LIVE WEBINAR - INTERACTIVE DISTANCE LEARNING

4 CE DIAGNOSING HOURS NBCC APPROVED

4 CE CLINICAL HOURS OFFERED BY ASWB ACE

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course delves into the complexities of atypical autism, a neurotype often overshadowed by the traditional model of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) taught to clinicians through the DSM. Through both scholarly literature and lived experience, this workshop will explore the experiences of autistic individuals and challenge the medical model of autism, guided by the interplay of behavior, neurobiology, social influences, and individual differences. Special attention will be given to the populations least likely to receive an autism diagnosis, and participants will explore the consequences of these disparities. Participants should leave the workshop with a more inclusive understanding of autism and specific strategies for working ethically and effectively with autistic clients for whom psychotherapy has been largely ineffective.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Participants will:

1. Analyze the medical model in comparison to the social model of neurodiversity, while centering the autistic voice for an ethical understanding of autism.

2. Explore the influences on the development of autism as a diagnosis and a neurotype, including the history of autism, behavior, neurobiology, social influence, and individual difference.

3. Analyze the factors leading to and the consequences of under-diagnosis of autism among certain demographics.

4. Propose strategies to improve the accuracy and inclusivity of the autism diagnosis.

 

KEY CLINICAL FOCUS AREAS:

ATYPICAL AND ADULT AUTISM PRESENTATIONS
  • Internalized traits
  • Masking and compensatory strategies
  • Late diagnosis and identity development
  • Burnout versus depression
DIAGNOSTIC DISPARITIES
  • Gender and cultural bias in diagnosis
  • Overlap with trauma, anxiety, and personality disorders
  • Consequences of misdiagnosis
NEUROBIOLOGY AND PROCESSING DIFFERENCES
  • Sensory processing differences
  • Bottom-up versus top-down processing
  • Social communication differences
NEURODIVERSITY-AFFIRMING PRACTICE
  • Reducing internalized ableism
  • Environmental and sensory accommodations
  • Ethical and inclusive therapeutic strategies

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

This adult autism continuing education course is appropriate for:

  • LPCs

  • LCSWs

  • LMFTs

  • Psychologists

  • Graduate-level clinicians

  • Mental health professionals working with adult clients

Especially valuable for clinicians seeking stronger competency in:

  • Late-diagnosed autism

  • Masking and burnout

  • Autism and trauma overlap

  • Neurodiversity-affirming therapy

WHY THIS AUTISM CONTINUING EDUCATION MATTERS 

As adult autism recognition continues to increase, clinicians must expand beyond outdated stereotypes and childhood-only models. Effective care requires:

  • Updated neurobiological understanding
  • Awareness of masking and burnout
  • Cultural humility
  • Ethical neurodiversity-affirming frameworks

This autism continuing education course equips clinicians with the clarity and tools necessary to work confidently and ethically with autistic adults.

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KDH COLLECTIVE ACEP NO. 7323

KDH COLLECTIVE HAS BEEN APPROVED BY NBCC AS AN APPROVED CONTINUING EDUCATION PROVIDER, ACEP NO. 7323. PROGRAMS THAT DO NOT QUALIFY FOR NBCC CREDIT ARE CLEARLY IDENTIFIED.  KDH COLLECTIVE IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL ASPECTS OF THE PROGRAMS.       

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KDH COLLECTIVE PROVIDER #2506

KDH COLLECTIVE PROVIDER #2506, IS APPROVED 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:. 09/30/2025 - 09/30/2026. SOCIAL WORKERS COMPLETING THIS COURSE RECEIVE 4 CLINICAL CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS.

Presenter: 

Whitney Storey, MS, LPC picture

Whitney Storey, MS, LPC

KDH Director of Education & KDH Counselor

ASDCS BadgeWhitney (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Senior Instructor of Psychology, therapist at KDH Counseling, and lifelong learner. With a Master of Science in Psychology and an additional Master of Science in Counselor Education. Whitney specializes in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), helping individuals live value-driven lives to reach their full potential. With a decade of experience, she focuses on parenting, motherhood, perinatal mental health, identity, and incarceration. As a neurodivergent counselor and mother, her radical self-acceptance guides her unconditional positive regard for the people she interacts with daily. 

ENROLL IN NEURODIVERGENCE: AUTISM

$100 for 4 CE Hours

Leaning into Neurodivergence: Autism

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UNDERSTANDING NEURODIVERSITY-AFFIRMING THERAPY

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Neurodiversity-affirming therapy is emerging as a new approach to mental health care-one that flips the script on...
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KDH Collective
4906 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy, Bldg I
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337-895-0300

KDH COLLECTIVE has been approved by NBCC as an approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP NO. 7323. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. KDH COLLECTIVE is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

We work hard to ensure the quality of our courses and educational materials. If you would like a refund, please email your request with an explanation to kd@kdholmeslpc.comwithin 48 of the live course, and we will review the refund request.

KDH Collective, 2506, 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: 09/30/2025-09/30/2026. Social workers completing this course receive 4 clinical continuing education credits.

To successfully complete this course and receive a certificate of completion / continuing education credit, participants must:

  1. Attend the full live webinar course from start to finish.

  2. Submit evaluations forms. (Completion of the evaluation is a required step before certificates are issued.)

  3.  CE credit certificates will be emailed within a week of attending course and completing evaluations.

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