Foundations of Neurodivergence & Neurodevelopmental Disorders | The Centre

Foundations of Neurodivergence and Neurodevelopmental Disorders provides practitioners with a comprehensive introduction to neurodiversity, neurodivergent identities, and the major neurodevelopmental conditions encountered in child, youth, and family service contexts. The workshop emphasises a neuro-affirming framework, contrasting traditional medical models with social and human-rights-based perspectives, and offers foundational knowledge on autism, ADHD, intellectual disability, and other neurodevelopmental differences. Participants gain practical insight into early presentations, developmental trajectories, brain development, trauma-neurodivergence overlap, and best-practice support strategies.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Distinguish between medical and neurodiversity-affirming models of disability.
• Identify common characteristics of neurodivergent individuals and neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Explain foundational concepts of brain development and developmental milestones.
• Describe major neurodevelopmental conditions (autism, ADHD, intellectual disability),
  including presentations, symptoms, assessment pathways, and support strategies.
• Recognise the impact of trauma on development and the overlap between trauma-related
  presentations and neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Identify appropriate community supports, services, and referral pathways for neurodivergent young people and their families.