Non-Traditional Evidence Based Therapeutic Approached with Neurodivergent Individuals
Tracks
Prince & Virtual via OnAIR
| Monday, August 11, 2025 |
| 1:00 PM - 1:20 PM |
| Prince Room |
Overview
Sarah Gurrin & Kelly Bettridge - Neurokind Insights
Speaker
Ms Kelly Bettridge
Co-Owner
NeuroKind Insights
Non-traditional evidence based therapeutic approached with neurodivergent individuals
Presentation Overview
Three Key Learnings:
1. Why traditional therapy does not always work with neurodivergent individuals
2. Evidence behind non-traditional evidence based therapeutic approaches
3. How to use non-traditional evidence based therapeutic approaches with neurodivergent individuals
Traditional talk-based therapies can often feel inaccessible, overwhelming, or ineffective for many neurodivergent folk—especially children and teens. Factors such as a strong preference for predictability and sameness, difficulty with transitions, emotional intensity, executive functioning differences, sensory sensitivities, and protective reliance on familiar routines or ideas can create significant barriers to engagement. Focussed thinking styles that favour structure or repetition may also conflict with open-ended verbal therapy approaches. In contrast, neuroaffirming non traditional therapeutic models that embrace interest-based, movement-rich, and visually supported interventions like LEGO®-based therapy can offer greater accessibility and foster genuine therapeutic connection.
This presentation explores how these non-traditional, evidence-informed modalities better meet the needs of ND folk. Drawing from lived experience, current clinical practice, and emerging research, we highlight the use of LEGO®-based therapy and SPINS (Special Interests) as tools for building safety, engagement, and communication. These approaches are grounded in trauma-informed, play-based, attachment-informed, and truly and actually neuroaffirming frameworks.
Integrating SPINS into therapy significantly improves engagement, emotional regulation, and participation. Many clients develop a more positive relationship with their neurodivergent neurotype; moving from surviving to flourishing. Families reported greater trust and connection, and many children were better able to understand their own social communication styles—while also beginning to interpret those of their neurotypical peers. Therefore we propose that LEGO® therapy may support the broader CALD neurodivergent community, offering opportunities for flourishing neurodivergent identity and exploration including social learning, self-awareness, and wellbeing.
These interest-driven, non-traditional therapies are more than creative strategies—they are essential, inclusive pathways to meaningful, respectful support for ND folk.
1. Why traditional therapy does not always work with neurodivergent individuals
2. Evidence behind non-traditional evidence based therapeutic approaches
3. How to use non-traditional evidence based therapeutic approaches with neurodivergent individuals
Traditional talk-based therapies can often feel inaccessible, overwhelming, or ineffective for many neurodivergent folk—especially children and teens. Factors such as a strong preference for predictability and sameness, difficulty with transitions, emotional intensity, executive functioning differences, sensory sensitivities, and protective reliance on familiar routines or ideas can create significant barriers to engagement. Focussed thinking styles that favour structure or repetition may also conflict with open-ended verbal therapy approaches. In contrast, neuroaffirming non traditional therapeutic models that embrace interest-based, movement-rich, and visually supported interventions like LEGO®-based therapy can offer greater accessibility and foster genuine therapeutic connection.
This presentation explores how these non-traditional, evidence-informed modalities better meet the needs of ND folk. Drawing from lived experience, current clinical practice, and emerging research, we highlight the use of LEGO®-based therapy and SPINS (Special Interests) as tools for building safety, engagement, and communication. These approaches are grounded in trauma-informed, play-based, attachment-informed, and truly and actually neuroaffirming frameworks.
Integrating SPINS into therapy significantly improves engagement, emotional regulation, and participation. Many clients develop a more positive relationship with their neurodivergent neurotype; moving from surviving to flourishing. Families reported greater trust and connection, and many children were better able to understand their own social communication styles—while also beginning to interpret those of their neurotypical peers. Therefore we propose that LEGO® therapy may support the broader CALD neurodivergent community, offering opportunities for flourishing neurodivergent identity and exploration including social learning, self-awareness, and wellbeing.
These interest-driven, non-traditional therapies are more than creative strategies—they are essential, inclusive pathways to meaningful, respectful support for ND folk.
Biography
Often seen with her Housewolf Odin, Kelly Bettridge is a 2e AuADHD Psychotherapist, Teacher, and Educational Therapist known for deep neurodivergent insight, fierce empathy, and a playful, creative spirit. Kelly never really grew up—and she’s not sorry; this powers her therapeutic programs, national educator training, and her deep, authentic connection with neurodivergent young folk.
At NeuroKind Insights, when Sarah brings the calm, Kelly brings the glimmery chaos (and cheese stringers). A lifelong gamer, LEGO/Pokémon tragic, and book collecting mischief-maker, Kelly helps ND kids and teens feel truly seen, safe, and empowered to take on the world, on their terms.
Miss Sarah Gurrin
Owner
Neurokind Insights
Non-traditional evidence based therapeutic approached with neurodivergent individuals
Presentation Overview
Three Key Learnings:
1. Why traditional therapy does not always work with neurodivergent individuals.
2. Evidence behind non-traditional evidence based therapeutic approaches.
3. How to use non-traditional evidence based therapeutic approaches with neurodivergent individuals.
Traditional talk-based therapies can often feel inaccessible, overwhelming, or ineffective for many neurodivergent folk—especially children and teens. Factors such as a strong preference for predictability and sameness, difficulty with transitions, emotional intensity, executive functioning differences, sensory sensitivities, and protective reliance on familiar routines or ideas can create significant barriers to engagement. Focussed thinking styles that favour structure or repetition may also conflict with open-ended verbal therapy approaches. In contrast, neuroaffirming non traditional therapeutic models that embrace interest-based, movement-rich, and visually supported interventions like LEGO®-based therapy can offer greater accessibility and foster genuine therapeutic connection.
This presentation explores how these non-traditional, evidence-informed modalities better meet the needs of ND folk. Drawing from lived experience, current clinical practice, and emerging research, we highlight the use of LEGO®-based therapy and SPINS (Special Interests) as tools for building safety, engagement, and communication. These approaches are grounded in trauma-informed, play-based, attachment-informed, and truly and actually neuroaffirming frameworks.
Integrating SPINS into therapy significantly improves engagement, emotional regulation, and participation. Many clients develop a more positive relationship with their neurodivergent neurotype; moving from surviving to flourishing. Families reported greater trust and connection, and many children were better able to understand their own social communication styles—while also beginning to interpret those of their neurotypical peers. Therefore we propose that LEGO® therapy may support the broader CALD neurodivergent community, offering opportunities for flourishing neurodivergent identity and exploration including social learning, self-awareness, and wellbeing.
These interest-driven, non-traditional therapies are more than creative strategies—they are essential, inclusive pathways to meaningful, respectful support for ND folk.
1. Why traditional therapy does not always work with neurodivergent individuals.
2. Evidence behind non-traditional evidence based therapeutic approaches.
3. How to use non-traditional evidence based therapeutic approaches with neurodivergent individuals.
Traditional talk-based therapies can often feel inaccessible, overwhelming, or ineffective for many neurodivergent folk—especially children and teens. Factors such as a strong preference for predictability and sameness, difficulty with transitions, emotional intensity, executive functioning differences, sensory sensitivities, and protective reliance on familiar routines or ideas can create significant barriers to engagement. Focussed thinking styles that favour structure or repetition may also conflict with open-ended verbal therapy approaches. In contrast, neuroaffirming non traditional therapeutic models that embrace interest-based, movement-rich, and visually supported interventions like LEGO®-based therapy can offer greater accessibility and foster genuine therapeutic connection.
This presentation explores how these non-traditional, evidence-informed modalities better meet the needs of ND folk. Drawing from lived experience, current clinical practice, and emerging research, we highlight the use of LEGO®-based therapy and SPINS (Special Interests) as tools for building safety, engagement, and communication. These approaches are grounded in trauma-informed, play-based, attachment-informed, and truly and actually neuroaffirming frameworks.
Integrating SPINS into therapy significantly improves engagement, emotional regulation, and participation. Many clients develop a more positive relationship with their neurodivergent neurotype; moving from surviving to flourishing. Families reported greater trust and connection, and many children were better able to understand their own social communication styles—while also beginning to interpret those of their neurotypical peers. Therefore we propose that LEGO® therapy may support the broader CALD neurodivergent community, offering opportunities for flourishing neurodivergent identity and exploration including social learning, self-awareness, and wellbeing.
These interest-driven, non-traditional therapies are more than creative strategies—they are essential, inclusive pathways to meaningful, respectful support for ND folk.
Biography
Kelly Bettridge and Sarah Gurrin are AuADHD practitioners and teachers on a mission to shake up the therapy world—joyfully and unapologetically. Together, they support neurodivergent individuals of all ages using interest-based, non-traditional approaches like LEGO to ensure that therapy is inclusive and equitible. Passionate about rejecting deficit-based models, they bring humour, heart, and creativity into their work. Their practice centres connection, co-regulation, and curiosity—because therapy should feel safe, collaborative, and wonderfully neurodivergent.
