This webinar explores the growing shift toward neurodiversity-affirming approaches to understanding and supporting neurodivergent children (including diagnoses of autism, ADHD, genetic and/or developmental/learning differences, etc.).

A neuroaffirming lens centers acceptance, connection, and strengths, rather than seeing children’s disabilities as a collection of deficits to be remediated. We’ll examine how understanding a child’s nervous system, sensory profile, and underlying capacities can guide decisions about therapies, preschool settings, and everyday supports. Topics include rethinking behavioral challenges as stress responses, recognizing individual sensory differences, and exploring how the language we use shapes perception (e.g., “rigid” vs. “high need for control”).

Participants will consider the “why” behind behaviors, the gap between expectations and developmental ability, and insights from the ZERO TO THREE Parent Survey. The session will also address critiques of behavioral approaches such as ABA, discuss child-led models like DIR/Floortime, and highlight the views and research coming from neurodivergent/autistic adults, such as the concept of the Double Empathy Problem in social interactions between autistic and non-autistic populations.

Finally, we’ll discuss important principles in child and parental emotional regulation, parental wellbeing, and building a support network.