Over the past decade technology, academic research, lived experience and community advocacy has changed everything we previously knew about brains. What were once thought of as disorders are now known as a neurotypes. Where we once prioritised early intervention to assimilate towards the ‘ideal’ way of being, we now focus on ‘actualisation’, to support authentic ways of being.

The concept of ‘neurodiversity affirming’ is now quite commonly used, but one that many don’t fully understand or know how to implement in practice. How can we be truly neuro-affirming in our approach when no one ever taught us how? How do we move away from behaviourist approaches when we still work within systems that expect behavioural outcomes? How do we cater to so many varied accommodation needs when we are one person in an ocean of children!? The good news is that when we truly shift our perspectives towards a neuro-affirming approach all of those questions simplify and life becomes easier for both our clients and ourselves. During this workshop, Allison will present lived experience, community consensus and evidence-based literature to explore and expand individual views on neurodiversity and broaden our approaches to become truly neuro-affirming.

Some of the key content areas Alli will cover:

• Nuanced definitions of neuro-affirming language and concepts.
• Outdated information about neurotypes and the social constructs that uphold them. 
• How to respond when outdated information is not updated in the systems that support us
• What neuro-affirming actually asks of us
• How to guide ourselves towards a neuro ‘shape-shifting’ of sorts
• What changes in our own lives when we approach children through a neuro-affirming lens

Don't miss this event if you are:

• Starting your journey in understanding different neurotypes
• Learning about neurodivergence from the mainstream or medical model
• Providing services to neurodivergent people
• Seeking a support model that does not aim to change individuals

Allison Davies holds a Masters Degree from Queensland University and is the founder and co-director of ‘Allison Davies, Music and The Brain’. She educates teachers, parents and service providers to implement trauma informed and neuro-affirming frameworks into their homes, schools and workplaces. Alli is an award winning autism advocate and educator and international keynote speaker and an AuDHD’er + Synesthete. She is also a long time collaborator with Maggie Dent, one of Australia’s favourite parenting authors, educators and podcasters. Allison’s ‘emotive storytelling mixed with science’ approach to education is always well received and her professional development events are highly sought after. Compass Seminars NZ is proud to welcome Alli for this brand new training in 2025.