Supporting Neurodivergent Adults in the Workplace

Adults with neurodivergent traits regularly face decisions about disclosure of disability. They must choose whether to forego or make requests for accommodations on the job. These situations demand nuanced conversations and have lasting implications for clients, so qualified therapists are equipped to deliberate these questions with them and point clients to helpful resources.

To support clients with an array of knowledge about varied life circumstances and challenges, specialists in neurodivergence draw on a systemic understanding of their clients’ life roles and the unique demands they encounter.

After attending this intermediate-level program, participants will be able to:

• Support clients in seeking and maintaining employment opportunities within their range of suitability.
• Analyze options with clients to seek appropriate support for vocational needs.
• Deliberate potential disclosure of disabling conditions with clients and help formulate the preferable course of action.

This program meets APA’s continuing education STANDARD 1.1: Program content focuses on application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that have overall consistent and credible empirical support in the contemporary peer reviewed scientific literature beyond those publications and other types of communications devoted primarily to the promotion of the approach.

This program meets APA’s continuing education GOAL 3: Program will allow psychologists to maintain, develop, and increase competencies in order to improve services to the public and enhance contributions to the profession.

General Admission: $40

The Chicago School Faculty/Staff/Alumni: $30*

Students: $20*

(*Please email [email protected] for coupon code)

Refund Policy: 100% of tuition is refundable up to 48 hours before the program. Within 48 hours of the program, and at any point in Homestudy format, tuition is nonrefundable.

Kate McNulty, LCSW

Kate McNulty has been in private practice since 1999 and is an Autistic clinician and published writer. Kate works routinely with neurodivergent clients to provide practical and effective supports that affirm self-determination, dignity and autonomy. Kate trains and consults with mental health professionals and agencies on neurodiversity, relationship therapy and sex therapy. Kate has sought out specialized diagnostic training due to work in demanding Emergency Department settings. Their knowledge has developed over the past 20+ years in private practice and arriving at accurate diagnosis remains an ongoing clinical fascination. Kate is certified as a Gottman Therapist and Trainer and an AASECT Sex Therapist and Supervisor.

Sara Sanders Gardner

Sara Sanders Gardner’s work in the disability field began in 2001, when as a newly diagnosed autistic, they served as a parent advocate for IEP meetings, taught parenting classes at United Cerebral Palsy, and were president of a 600-family autism support group in Orange County, CA. In 2011, Sara designed and developed the nationally recognized Neurodiversity Navigators at Bellevue College in Washington State, which has grown to serve over 300 students in tiered services. As director of the program, Sara leads a team of staff, faculty, and peer mentors, designs curriculum, and works to support disability inclusion and accessibility across campus. Sara recently retired from 10 years as faculty at the College. Sara serves on the College’s Council for Inclusion and Diversity, sits on the CARE Team, and is a Title IX Investigator. Through their Autistic at Work LLC, Sara also provides workshops and e-Learning in Neurodiversity Cultural Responsiveness for Microsoft Corporation, Amazon Web Services, and other organizations. Most recently, Sara served as technical editor for Wiley Publisher’s “Neurodiversity for Dummies” and “Autism for Dummies” books. Sara has a 34-year-old neurodivergent son, and a 16-year-old rescue dachshund. Sara’s pronouns are they/them/theirs. Connect with Sara on LinkedIn.

What does it mean to be neurodivergent? Forbes Health. https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/what-is-neurodivergent/#:~:text=Neurodivergent%20is%20a%20non%2Dmedical,%2Fhyperactivity%20disorder%20(ADHD)

Rinn, A. N., & Bishop, J. (2015). Gifted adults. Gifted Child Quarterly, 59(4), 213–235. https://doi.org/10.1177/0016986215600795

Russell, G., Kapp, S. K., Elliott, D., Elphick, C., Gwernan-Jones, R., & Owens, C. (2019). Mapping the Autistic Advantage from the Accounts of Adults Diagnosed with Autism: A Qualitative Study. Autism in Adulthood, 1(2), 124–133. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2018.0035

Szulc, J. M. (2024). Leading with understanding: cultivating positive relationships between neurotypical leaders and neurodivergent employees. Employee Relations. https://doi.org/10.1108/er-12-2023-0621

Target Audience: Masters and Doctoral level psychotherapists and counselors.

Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.5 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods. 

Counselors/Clinical Counselors. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.5 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for counselors and clinical counselors. License Number: 197.000159

Social Workers. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.5 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for social workers. License Number: 159.001036

MFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs. Course meets the qualifications for 2.5 hours of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. If you are licensed outside of California please check with your local licensing agency to to determine if they will accept these CEUs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to offer continuing education programming for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an accredited or approved postsecondary institution that meets the requirements set forth in Sections 4980.54(f)(1), 4989.34, 4996.22(d)(1), or 4999.76(d) of the Code.

School Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.5 hours of continuing professional development. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s School Psychology Program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists to offer continuing professional development. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this continuing professional development activity. 

Illinois Educators. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.5 hours of continuing professional development units. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an approved provider for continuing professional development by the Illinois State Board of Education.  

National Board. This program, when attended in its entirety, offers 2.5 NBCC Clock Hours. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 3036. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Non-Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.

*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.

If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.