PSY-AU-101 AUTISM: NEURODIVERGENT JOY

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About Course

This introductory course explores the concept of neurodivergent joy through the lived experiences of autistic individuals and their families, with a focus on educational environments. Students will examine how advocacy, identity-affirming practices, and collaborative school-home partnerships contribute to a more inclusive, empowering future for neurodivergent students.

 

Using a family-centered lens and grounded in culturally responsive practice, students will engage with the core tools of advocacy, including Individualized Education Plan (IEP), behavior documentation, and school communication strategies. Drawing from the instructor’s original eBook, The Digital Advocacy Binder, students will gain hands-on skills to support children with autism in both professional and personal capacities.

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What Will You Learn?

  • Define autism and neurodivergence through a strengths-based, identity-affirming framework.
  • Identify key components of educational advocacy, including IEPs, 504 Plans, and communication strategies.
  • Use digital tools to track behavior, monitor academic progress, and prepare for school meetings.
  • Understand and challenge ableism, cultural bias, and marginalization in educational spaces.
  • Apply advocacy strategies to real-life case studies involving school-home collaboration.
  • Cultivate and celebrate neurodivergent joy in educational and familial environments.

Course Content

Introduction and Syllabus
Embracing neurodivergent children not just with understanding, but with joy. Through personal reflection and current trends in diagnoses, readers are guided toward a strengths-based mindset and introduced to the power of proactive, informed advocacy.

Module 1: Foundations of Neurodivergence
Foundational chapter defines key terms like autism, ADHD, and sensory processing disorders. It dispels common myths and misconceptions, while introducing the concept of neurodiversity as a natural variation in the human brain—one that offers unique strengths and perspectives.

Module 2: Building A Supportive Network (copy)
Families cannot do it alone. This chapter walks readers through forming a reliable support system—including how to navigate school-based supports like IEPs and 504 Plans, find trustworthy therapists and specialists, and connect with local or online advocacy groups and allies.

Module 3: Strategies for Everyday Success
Success begins at home. This chapter offers actionable, family-friendly strategies for managing daily life with a neurodivergent child—such as creating visual schedules, implementing sensory supports, and communicating clearly in a way that honors the child’s needs and autonomy.

Module 4: Self-Care and Resilience for Caregivers
Caregivers need care, too. This chapter is a compassionate deep-dive into burnout prevention, therapy, peer support, and balancing identity and personal goals while raising a neurodivergent child. It emphasizes that joyful parenting starts with a well-resourced parent.

Module 5: Addressing Unique Challenges
From sensory overload to sudden transitions, this chapter equips caregivers with tools to address meltdowns, emotional regulation, and social development. It also includes tips for navigating developmental milestones like puberty and school changes with clarity and compassion.

Module 6: Celebrating Strengths and Milestones
Encourages families to notice and celebrate the small and big wins alike. Whether it’s a new word, a calm transition, or a new friendship, celebrating neurodivergent joy helps shift the narrative from “fixing” to flourishing—building hope for the future.

Module 7: Navigating Systems and Institutions
Families often find themselves navigating not one, but many systems—education, healthcare, and social services. This chapter demystifies those systems, offering templates and checklists to help families advocate confidently across professional settings, without feeling overwhelmed or dismissed.

Module 8: Advocacy in Action – Raising Awareness & Community Impact
Families are empowered to share their journeys, lead in their communities, and become agents of change. From speaking at school boards to creating safe spaces online, this chapter equips advocates with the tools to raise awareness and amplify neurodivergent voices—starting with their own.

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