Many neurodivergent children grow up in families that include neurodivergent parents, caregivers, or siblings, as well as neurotypical family members. Neurodiversity within family systems may influence communication, emotional regulation, routines, relationships, caregiving experiences, identity development, participation, and access to supports in healthcare, school, employment, and within community systems. This webinar explores how differing sensory, emotional, communication, and processing profiles interact within neurodivergent and neurotypical family systems, and how these interactions may affect stress, co-regulation, family dynamics, daily living, and access to services and supports. Drawing on neurodiversity-affirming and person-centered practice, participants will examine how children, caregivers, and family members come to understand themselves within systems shaped by labels, services, social norms, and expectations. Discussion will include practical strategies to improve family engagement, promote autonomy and positive identity, and support relationship-centered social practice. [Elective for Child/Adolescent Certificate Program]
To earn CE credit, social workers must log in at the scheduled time, attend the entire course and complete an online course evaluation. Certificates of completion will be emailed within 10 business days of course completion.
At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Recognize how differing neurotypes within families may influence communication, stress responses, emotional regulation, identity development, expectations, and family dynamics.
- Describe how identity development may be shaped by family experiences, sensory and communication differences, schools and services, social expectations, and access to supports.
- Apply neurodiversity-affirming person-centered strategies to support communication, co-regulation, autonomy, and safety.
Neurodiversity, Family Systems, and Identity Development
Neurodiversity within family systems; multiple nervous systems and multiple processing styles
Neurodivergent and neurotypical family dynamics
Identity development in neurodivergent children, siblings, caregivers, and family members
Family expectations, roles, routines, and emotional experiences
Neurodiversity-affirming and family-centered perspectives within social work
Stress, Co-Regulation, and Emotional Safety
Co-regulation and disparities within family systems
How stress responses may shift through family relationships
Overload, masking, shutdown, burnout, and emotional exhaustion
Communication differences, sensory needs, and emotional safety
Supporting regulation and reducing misunderstanding within social work interactions
Communication, Relationships, and Mutual Understanding
Communication differences across neurodivergent and neurotypical family members
Relationship dynamics, caregiving experiences, differing support needs
Reducing assumptions and communication differences
Systems, Services, and Access to Supports
Family experiences within healthcare, school, disability, and community systems
Barriers to supports, accommodations, services, and daily living resources
Ableism, stigma, and stressors
Advocacy and systems navigation
Practical Strategies and Approaches
Supporting family regulation, communication, autonomy, and participation
Neurodiversity-affirming and relationship-centered approaches
Supporting positive identity development and family engagement
Case applications related to daily living, school, healthcare, employment, and community participation
Group discussion, resources, questions, assessment