Online Neurodiversity Training

A comprehensive online training providing essential skills and strategies for whanau, educators and professionals working alongside neurodiverse young people. Together we’ll reframe into Takiwātanga, recognising the future potential of differently wired minds.

In this course Mind Over Manner’s facilitator will take attendees through a dynamic five-part program that will assist you with a better understanding of how neurodiverse young people think, learn and behave differently. Using a suite of filmed resources, facilitator Susan Haldane will provide strategies and practical skills to help the neurodiverse young person in your life reach their full potential.

Dialling Up, Dialling Down is not just professional development for educators – it’s for anyone working with youth looking to understand the why behind challenging behaviour. It’s for whānau who are struggling with daily life at home and want a new way forward. It’s for education professionals seeking a more connected, creative, mana-enhancing way to work with neurodiverse rangatahi.

This course is delivered across 5 x 1.5 hour pre-recorded sessions, available to watch at any time.

Register here to view the 5 recorded webinars

Learning outcomes

After the five sessions, participants will be able to:

  • Identify sensory and cognitive differences, and create tailored plans to manage the sensory needs of the young person
  • Work with understanding of the parasympathetic nervous system to create calm and reduce anxiety
  • Communicate more effectively with neurodiverse rangatahi in a reciprocal way
  • Create appropriate non-verbal communication, flashcards and transition maps, and undertake a sensory audit of their own learning or home environment
  • Better understand the root causes of rude, shut down or confused behaviour and address the cause (sensory overwhelm) not the symptoms (“problem behaviour”)
  • Manage meltdowns in the class and home in a way that enhances the mana of all present
  • Facilitate emotional drain-off and build a relationship of trust and connection
    Balance the needs of all members of a class or whanau – neurodiverse or otherwise
  • Create lesson plans/moments of learning using the child’s special interes
  • Activate a broader understanding of neurodiversity among whānau or workplace based on recognition of the cognitive differences in all of us.

Course outline

1. Introduction to Neurodiversity

Overview of sensory and cognitive processing differences

  • Sensory modulation and discrimination
  • Sensory-based motor differences (incl. dyspraxia, spatial and postural)
    Communication differences and strategies
2. The Sensory Over-Responder

Often diagnosed with Autism, Asperger’s, OCD and others.

  • Managing meltdowns (rumble, roar, recovery)
  • BAMMS & the negative world view
  • Sympathetic and Parasympathetic nervous systems in anxiety regulation
3. The Sensory Seeker

Often diagnosed with ADHD, Dyslexia, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Oppositional Defiant Disorder and others

  • Survival and defence behaviours
  • Conflict cycles and oppositional behaviour
  • Time management and the role of short-term memory
  • Creating connection, cool-down time and emotional drain off.
4. The Sensory Under-Responder & Transitions

Often diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder.

  • Activating the nervous system
  • Creating learning through curiosity and special interest
  • Considerations and strategies for Transitions at school or home
  • Transition maps for social, organisational and sensory obstacles
5. Whānau & Manaakitanga
  • Navigating neurodiversity with the immediate and wider whānau and their interface with the learning, work and public environment
  • Tools for manaaki and self-care
  • Supporting a collective understanding of sensory and cognitive differences for all whānau members

Pricing and access

$150 per person, tickets available via Shopify

Once a ticket is purchased, you will be sent a secure link to gain access to the 5 x recorded sessions, along with downloadable resource notes.

A note on pricing

If this fee is prohibitive to you or to a client accessing the workshop, please do contact us. We believe this learning is vital, and we may be able subsidise a portion of the cost based on your circumstances.