Description

Upon completion of this conference, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the core principles of neurodiversity-affirming care and how they differ from traditional pathology-based approaches in clinical mental health settings.
2. Identify ways in which common assessment, diagnostic, and intervention practices may unintentionally reinforce ableism or stigma for neurodivergent clients.
3. Apply a neurodiversity-affirming practice framework to case conceptualization, treatment planning, and therapeutic goal-setting while maintaining ethical and medical necessity standards.

 

Presenter Bio:

Patrick Hanson, MSW, is a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) candidate at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work. He holds a Master of Social Work degree, a graduate certificate in Clinical Social Work, and is a Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern in the state of Florida. Patrick currently works for a nonprofit organization providing psychotherapy, educational advocacy, and professional development.

He has practiced across a range of settings, including intensive outpatient programs, outpatient group practices, and community mental health settings. He is also a Certified School Social Worker with prior experience in school-based practice and special education. Before entering social work, Patrick served as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for ten years and worked as a peer and mental health team member, providing debriefings and defusings following critical incidents.

He is trained in Critical Incident Stress Management through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF). His clinical and scholarly interests focus on neurodiversity-affirming mental health care, trauma-responsive practice, and identity-affirming approaches for autistic and ADHD individuals. His doctoral capstone project examines the implementation and advancement of neurodiversity-affirming practices in clinical mental health settings, with an emphasis on translating research into practical, ethically grounded guidance for clinicians. His academic work reflects a commitment to integrating social justice, evidence-informed practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve mental health outcomes for neurodivergent individuals and their families.

 

Delivery Method: Live Interactive Training via Zoom Video Conferencing

Session not eligible for CE credit.

Target Audience: This conference is intended for social workers and students.

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these presentations are those of the individual presenters and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the University of Kentucky or the College of Social Work. The inclusion of any topics, perspectives, or discussions is intended for academic engagement and does not constitute endorsement by the institution.