Unpacking Neurodiversity and Ableism Study Group (In Person Austin, Texas) with Robert Jason Grant and Marshall Lyles  

Date: May 14th - 15th, 2027 (9:00 am - 4:30 pm daily)

Location: The Workshop, 300 Allen St., Austin, TX 78702

CE Hrs: 12 (Robert Jason Grant Ed.D is an APT Approved Provider #12-318 for continuing education. AutPlay Therapy Clinic has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6595). 

Description:

Disability, Neurodivergent, Chronic Illness, those that divergent from the societal standard for what is “normal”, “right”, or the “way to be” find themselves susceptible to the systemic and individual perpetuation of ableist beliefs and processes. Child and play therapy approaches are not immune from systemic and individual ableism. These environments and systems hold metal health impacts on our child and teen clients. Our collective understanding of neurodivergent and disability-related concepts holds varied, and sometimes intense, opinions and emotions. With all the potential inclusivity offered by affirming movements to embrace the umbrella of differences among humans, we still have to unshackle ourselves, our child and play therapy approaches, and greater mental health philosophies from ableist entrenchment in order to fully embrace the freedom offered by an understanding of inclusive and affirming care.

This 2-day, in person study group for professionals will address ableism within yourself and within child and play therapy theories and interventions. The study group will provide opportunities for exploration through experiential activities and guided dialogue. Focal points of exploration will include ableism through a cultural humility lens, understanding systemic ableism, neurodivergence, and disability terminology and constructs, awareness of and introspective work on ableist beliefs (am I ableist?), masking, the social model of disability, micro and macro aggressions, creating an ongoing action plan, and being affirming in application and advocacy in child and play therapy work.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to define and differentiate key concepts related to disability, neurodivergence, and chronic illness, including terminology, models, and constructs, in order to ground child and play therapy clinical practice in accurate and affirming language.

2. Participants will be able to identify systemic, cultural, and interpersonal manifestations of ableism, and articulate how these forces shape clinical encounters, family systems, and broader sociocultural narratives that impact child and play therapy processes.

3. Participants will be able to apply a cultural humility framework to examine their own socialization, biases, and assumptions related to disability and neurodivergence, including the capacity to recognize and disrupt internalized ableist beliefs that may be manifesting in their child and play therapy work.

4. Participants will be able to analyze the impact of masking, microaggressions, and macro-level discrimination on the lived experiences of disabled and neurodivergent individuals, with attention to trauma, identity development, and relational safety.

5. Participants will be able to compare the medical and social models of disability, evaluating how each model influences child and play therapy approaches, assessment, intervention, and the therapeutic stance toward client autonomy and agency.

6. Participants will be able to demonstrate affirming child and play therapy clinical practices that move beyond ableism, including strengths-based conceptualization, accessible communication strategies, and collaborative treatment planning.

7. Participants will be able to engage in experiential and reflective activities to deepen awareness of personal and professional ableist conditioning, and to integrate insights into ongoing ethical and culturally responsive child and play therapy practice.

8. Participants will be able to develop an individualized advocacy and action plan that outlines concrete steps for sustaining anti‑ableist, inclusive, and affirming approaches within their child and play therapy work, professional communities, and organizational systems.

9. Participants will analyze various child and play therapy interventions to assess for neurodiversity affirming vs ableists concepts.

10. Participants will describe the neurodiversity/ableist continuum and be able to understand its use in identity positioning in themselves and in child and play therapy approaches.   

What to Expect: 2 full days of a deep exploration study group style. This will include personal reflective exercises, expressive exercises, small group activity, multi-sensory creation and expression, large group processing, and resource sharing. All expressive materials will be provided and breakfast and afternoon snacks are included.

Who Should Attend: Healers (all neurotypes) who work in a variety of settings serving neurodivergent children and adults which may include (but is not limited to) educators, mental health practitioners, medical professionals, case managers, clergy, etc.

Registration info: This small group experience. The $550 fee includes 2 days of guided study, facilitated dialogue and experiential exercises as well as a virtual follow up meeting. All materials are included. Snacks will be provided, which include continental breakfast items. Lodging and other meals are on your own.

​Cancellation policy: No refunds are guaranteed. If a replacement for your spot is secured, a refund minus a $50 administrative fee may be offered.