Neurodivergent Affirming Practices: An exploration for Behavior Analysts on the neurodivergent perspective and how to best incorporate affirming practice into services
Hosted by AzABA's EDI Committee
August 12, 2021 | 1:00 - 2:30 PT
1.5 Ethics CEUs will be available
Location:
Zoom (Login will be emailed prior to the presentation)
Speakers:
- David Meer, M.C., LPC
- Sami Pieknik, Psy.D.
Summary:
Please join our EDI Committee Quarterly Meeting for this informative presentation! This talk will discuss neurodivergent culture and common challenges living in a neurotypical world. The presenters will identify ableist attitudes toward neurodivergent perspectives, compare medical versus social models of diagnosis and treatment, and discuss how to destigmatize hierarchical and reductionist functional levels of autism.
Meet our Speakers:
David Meer is a licensed professional counselor located in Scottsdale, Arizona. He established and owns Neurodiverse Counseling Services, a collective of strengths-based and trauma-informed counseling professionals that supports and advocates for neurodivergent people. David has over a decade of experience working in the helping profession in support of children, students, adults, families, and couples. He currently provides workshops and consultation services to corporate clients and schools in the Phoenix Metro area. David approaches his work through the lens of neurodiversity, curiosity, and holism. David graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and a minor in Economics from The Pennsylvania State University. He obtained his Master of Counseling from Arizona State University.
Dr. Sami Pieknik is a licensed clinical psychologist in Phoenix, Arizona providing individual therapy to children, teens, and young adults. Dr. Sami has 12 years of experience working to support neurodivergent individuals. She obtained her baccalaureate degree from Arizona State University, and both her master’s and doctoral degrees from the Arizona School of Professional Psychology (ASPP). She has a background in psychological/neuropsychological assessment, autism assessment, and in working with neurodivergent folks across the lifespan and in a variety of settings including inpatient residential, home-based therapies, community mental health, and in private practice. Her goal is to meet each client where they're at in a way that is unique to them, and offer supportive, affirmative care while incorporating individual interests and needs into therapy. Dr. Sami incorporates an eclectic approach to therapy and utilizes play-based CBT, ACT, relational, and person-centered therapeutic techniques as indicated for each client.
Registration:
AzABA Member: Free
Non-member: Free to attend, $5 for CEU
