Meeting Social and Emotional Goals with Neurodivergent Children: Valuing Diverse Life Skills
Tracks
Prince Room
| Tuesday, March 21, 2023 |
| 2:05 PM - 2:25 PM |
Overview
Kathleen Davey, Social Science Translated / Autism CRC
Speaker
Kathleen Davey
Social Science Translated / Autism CRC
Meeting Social and Emotional Goals with Neurodivergent Children: Valuing Diverse Life Skills
Abstract
As a Clinical Psychologist and Chief Executive Officer with national and international impact in the Autism field, and winner of the inaugural APS Psychology Entrepreneur of the Year for 2021, Kathleen has seen the changing face of psychological services over two decades and the rise of the neurodiversity movement in different pockets of the world.
Since 1980 when Autism (a neurodivergent profile) was distinguished from Schizophrenia, we have seen multiple diagnostic classifications and criteria, terminology shifts, evolving assessment tools, new disability funding models, notable public disclosure and self-advocacy, and a growing interest in cross-industry initiatives. However now the strongly embraced neurodiversity movement is making lasting change for not only autism. This change provides both opportunities and challenges for the way we work and the broader systems we work within, such as mental health, disability, education, and justice systems.
The Secret Agent Society (SAS) Small Group Program was originally designed and evaluated for children on the autism spectrum. Over more than 13 years the program has evolved to support the mental health and social resilience of a large range of children. SAS Provider services are increasingly utilising a neurodivergent-affirming approach to their work with children and parents with Secret Agent Society.
Neurodiversity as a whole refers to every person (client and clinician). As mental health professionals, we all have personal and professional needs and preferences. When we, or our clients, identify as neurodivergent, or if overall we choose to practice in a neurodivergent-affirming way, a dilemma is often presented because our university training, psychometric tools, diagnostic manuals, published research and historical language have strong roots in the medical (deficit) model of disability and mental health.
This presentation will explore how the delivery of the Secret Agent Society Small Group Program values the development of a society that values diverse life skills while equipping children for life’s social-emotional challenges through evidence-based practice.
Since 1980 when Autism (a neurodivergent profile) was distinguished from Schizophrenia, we have seen multiple diagnostic classifications and criteria, terminology shifts, evolving assessment tools, new disability funding models, notable public disclosure and self-advocacy, and a growing interest in cross-industry initiatives. However now the strongly embraced neurodiversity movement is making lasting change for not only autism. This change provides both opportunities and challenges for the way we work and the broader systems we work within, such as mental health, disability, education, and justice systems.
The Secret Agent Society (SAS) Small Group Program was originally designed and evaluated for children on the autism spectrum. Over more than 13 years the program has evolved to support the mental health and social resilience of a large range of children. SAS Provider services are increasingly utilising a neurodivergent-affirming approach to their work with children and parents with Secret Agent Society.
Neurodiversity as a whole refers to every person (client and clinician). As mental health professionals, we all have personal and professional needs and preferences. When we, or our clients, identify as neurodivergent, or if overall we choose to practice in a neurodivergent-affirming way, a dilemma is often presented because our university training, psychometric tools, diagnostic manuals, published research and historical language have strong roots in the medical (deficit) model of disability and mental health.
This presentation will explore how the delivery of the Secret Agent Society Small Group Program values the development of a society that values diverse life skills while equipping children for life’s social-emotional challenges through evidence-based practice.
Biography
Working in the Autism field for over 20 years and as winner of the inaugural APS Psychology Entrepreneur of the Year for 2021, Kathleen Davey has seen the changing face of psychological services over two decades and the rise of the neurodiversity movement in different pockets of the world. Kathleen is a Clinical Psychologist and Chief Executive Officer of Social Science Translated, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the not-for-profit AutismCRC, the world's first national cooperative research effort focused on autism and Australia’s independent national source of evidence for best practice.
Kathleen has become a clinician, business leader and professional trainer who brings a depth of unique skills to make presentations and consultation practical, effective and fun. With years of experience growing the international distribution of the evidence-based Secret Agent Society Program across education and health and disability sectors, Kathleen enjoys working with educational and clinical teams to help them establish sustainable innovation in their organisations.
