Bridging Perspectives:
Transformative strategies for neurodiversity-
affirming social-emotional learning
We know from research and lived experience that teaching neurodivergent kids neurotypical “social skills” not only wreaks havoc on their mental health, but also is ineffective at supporting their real-life social interactions.
In this recorded, self-paced continuing education course, Katrina Martin teaches us how to move away from discrete “skills” based social emotional learning (SEL) by supporting the real needs of neurodivergent youth.
You’ll learn how to validate children’s authentic needs, develop their positive sense of self, and give them the tools they need to build bridges of understanding across people who communicate, socialize, and exist in the world in different ways.
This course is registered for .45 AOTA CEUs (4.5 contact hours), .45 ASHA CEUs, 4.5 NBCC hours, 4.5 NASP CEUs, and approved for CEU/CE credit by ASWB ACE.
Get one year’s access on demand when you register. Registration closes 12/16/25.
Continuing Education
from Learn Play Thrive
Autistic and neurodivergent people don't need to change.
Instead, it's up to all of us to build bridges of understanding across neurotypes.
INTRO & MODULE 1: Why are we here? (65 minutes)
What was wrong with traditional methods of social skills instruction? How did we get here? And why are we trying to do things differently? In this module, you’ll learn how to clearly and confidently answer these questions both for yourself and for the benefit of your colleagues.
You’ll also dive into basic concepts of neurodiversity-affirming, anti-ableist practice for social-emotional learning in great nuance using theory, case studies, and real-life examples so that you can clearly connect the big-picture concepts from this course to your real-world practice.
MODULE 2: Shifting to neurodiversity-affirming practice (42 minutes)
This module will allow you to determine the places where your current intentions and practices align with affirming values, and where they don’t. You’ll learn how to leverage your lived experience and academic training to build your personal roadmap for professional growth. In doing so, you will integrate your intentions and actions to show your Autistic clients that they are worthwhile, valued, and that their authentic needs matter.
This module dives into how you can support your clients’ development of self-worth, self-efficacy, and self-advocacy. All while building from individual strengths.
MODULE 3: Communication (26 minutes)
You may have heard “All communication is valid.” But what exactly does that look like in practice? What are the common forms of communication used by Autistic and neurodivergent people that are often missed or misunderstood? In this module we’ll explore what leads to communication breakdown between people of different neurotypes. We’ll talk about why this occurs and what we can do to support children in getting their message across.
No one form of communication is better than another. In this module, you’ll learn what it looks like to put that idea into practice, and what you can do to build bridges of understanding between people with different communication styles.
MODULE 4: Social interaction (58 minutes)
“Social skills” have traditionally been taught in an effort to help children survive in “the real world.” As affirming providers, we know that no one way of socializing is better than any other, but putting this into practice often raises so many concerns. For example, you might have heard “I can’t let one child stim loudly in my class in a way that will cause all of the other children to get distracted,” or, “What will happen when the child goes somewhere where people aren’t understanding of being different?” In this module, you’ll tackle this head on so that you can respond to critiques with clarity.
You’ll learn how to approach play, special interests, listening and participating, and peer relationships with an emphasis on authenticity. And when your clients’ needs clash with the needs with those around them, you’ll learn how to tackle competing access needs and conflict in a way that validates every child’s needs, and helps develop empathy and understanding between people. Katrina Martin has extensive experience in the classroom setting, and the examples in this course are as real-world and nuanced as they can get.
MODULE 5: Understanding emotions (34 minutes)
The old ways of teaching Autistic kids about emotions by matching pictures to feeling names are ineffective at best, and harmful at worst. And “How are you feeling?” often falls flat, as Autistic and neurodivergent children don’t identify emotion in the same way as their neurotypical peers. In this module, you’ll learn a totally different way to help your Autistic clients recognize their own emotions, understand the emotions of others, and build a bridge of understanding between them.
You’ll gain insight into how to teach children about emotions in a way that truly supports your Autistic clients’ needs. You’ll learn how to help children find and assert their own boundaries when providing care and concern for others. And you’ll learn about how to support your clients in big emotions, burnout, and crisis.
After this module, you’ll be able to confidently address emotional learning for your Autistic and neurodivergent clients in a truly affirming and transformative way.
MODULE 6: Positive sense of self (19 minutes)
It’s time to put what you’ve learned so far into action to support the best possible outcome: a positive sense of self. What does it look like to build from strengths, validate individual differences and needs, and support self-efficacy and self-advocacy? In this module, you’ll see it in action.
MODULE 7: Doing the work (26 minutes)
At this point you’ll be confident in affirming approaches to 1) communication, 2) social interaction, 3) emotion understanding, and 4) positive sense of self.
So it’s time to talk about what to do when your boots hit the ground! Follow Katrina’s thoughtful process as she works through real-life goals, case studies, and strategies to put affirming practices into action with both clients and their families.
MODULE 8: Putting it all together (13 minutes)
This course is jam-packed with actionable strategies. And in the final module, you’ll learn how to use what you’ve learned to help your clients thrive in the real world. You’ll also learn how to confidently respond to real-world barriers and ableist ideas or beliefs that may stand in your way. At the end of this module, your roadmap to affirming practices will be crystal clear. We can’t wait to hear about the impact it has on your practice, your clients, and your community.
What if your Autistic clients could thrive as
their most authentic selves?
Leaving traditional “social skills” training behind is only the first step. What we put in it’s place must be intentionally designed to help our clients develop social-emotional understanding without sacrificing their authentic selves. In Bridging Perspectives, you’ll learn how to clearly and confidently support social-emotional growth and well-being in a way that truly centers your clients’ deepest well-being and gives them the tools they need in the real world to not only survive, but thrive.
Investment
$263 for 4.5 recorded hours that will forever change how you support your Autistic clients. We also offer payment breakdown to 3 payments of $87.
Access
This course is entirely self-paced. You’ll have access for one year to complete on your own time.
Continuing Education
This course is registered for .45 AOTA CEUs (4.5 contact hours) & .45 ASHA CEUs, 4.5 NBCC hours, NASP CEUs, approved for CEU/CE credit by ASWB ACE.
FAQs
Information about completion requirements, accommodations, and more can be found in the FAQs.
Bridging Perspectives is
for you if…
You are an SLP, OT, school psychologist, or mental health practitioner working with Autistic children or adolescents in any setting.
You want to deeply reflect on the impact your work has on your Autistic clients and build a roadmap towards affirming social-emotional learning
You believe that a positive sense of self is more important for your clients' well-being than their compliance, and you want your work to reflect this
- You are an SLP, OT, school psychologist, or mental health practitioner working with Autistic children or adolescents in any setting.
- You want to deeply reflect on the impact your work has on your Autistic clients and build a roadmap towards affirming social-emotional learnin
- You believe that a positive sense of self is more important for your clients' well-being than their compliance, and you want your work to reflect this
You are interested in the deep nuance of how to be an affirming provider, not just theory or superficial strategies
You want to learn concrete strategies you can use in your work to help your clients cultivate self-worth and authentic acceptance in their lives.
- You are interested in the deep nuance of how to be an affirming provider, not just theory or superficial strategies
- You want to learn concrete strategies you can use in your work to help your clients cultivate self-worth and authentic acceptance in their lives.
Meet your
Instructor
Katrina Martin
Katrina Martin
FINANCIAL: Katrina is the owner of Bridges Learning System and receives a salary. Bridges Learning System receives commission from Learn Play Thrive for the sale of Bridging Perspectives.
NON-FINANCIAL: Katrina is neurodivergent and has family members and friends who are Autistic and otherwise neurodivergent.
Please note: disclosure statements are contained in the Bio page for each speaker. Click on "READ BIO" above to review the disclosures.
This course will take transform the ways you support your clients' deepest wellbeing.
]
Full Course Objectives
The learner will differentiate between deficit-driven social-skills teaching practices and neurodiversity-affirming social-emotional learning pedagogy.
The learner will demonstrate an understanding of the double-empathy problem and apply this paradigm to explain neurodivergent and neurotypical empathy.
The learner will evaluate physical and social environments and critique their suitability for specific neurodivergent needs.
- The learner will differentiate between deficit-driven social-skills teaching practices and neurodiversity-affirming social-emotional learning pedagogy.
- The learner will demonstrate an understanding of the double-empathy problem and apply this paradigm to explain neurodivergent and neurotypical empathy.
- The learner will evaluate physical and social environments and critique their suitability for specific neurodivergent needs.
The learner will construct social-emotional learning opportunities that reflect an understanding of the neurodiversity paradigm.
The learner will develop neurodiversity-affirming social-emotional goals to meet individual needs of neurodivergent learners.
The learner will implement parent partnership strategies to support families in applying neurodiversity affirming strategies and environments in the home and community settings.
- The learner will construct social-emotional learning opportunities that reflect an understanding of the neurodiversity paradigm.
- The learner will develop neurodiversity-affirming social-emotional goals to meet individual needs of neurodivergent learners.
- The learner will implement parent partnership strategies to support families in applying neurodiversity affirming strategies and environments in the home and community settings.
Watch the replay of a live Q&A with Dr. Katrina Martin on affirming social-emotional learning
Frequently Asked Questions
This course is developed for SLPs, OTs, school psychologists, social workers, counselors, mental health professionals, K-12 educators, and early childhood educators supporting Autistic children or adolescents in any context.
The concepts in this course are useful for providers supporting Autistic people of any age. The examples in the course are focused on children from early childhood through adolescence.
This course includes lecture, videos, and slides.
This course is registered for .45 AOTA CEUS, .45 ASHA CEUs, 4.5 NBCC hours, and 4.5 NASP CEUs. This 4.5 hour talk is approved for CEU/CE credit by ASWB ACE. Social workers will receive 4.5 clinical continuing education credits.
Yes! The course is self-paced and you have one year to complete it on your own time.
Yes! If 3 or more people from your company plan to enroll email me the names of everyone enrolling at admin@learnplaythrive.com and I’ll provide a coupon code. It’s 15% for 3 registrants, 20% off for 4 or more, and 30% off for 7 or more. This discount does not apply during pre-registration unless your group discount is larger than the current pre-sale discount.
We offer full scholarships to therapists from under-resourced countries.
In order to get a certificate of completion, you must watch all of the video modules and pass a quiz at the end of the course with 75% accuracy. Multiple attempts at the quiz are allowed. You must also complete a course satisfaction survey. Only learners who complete the course, quiz , and survey will receive a certificate.
You will have 12 months to access the course.
Full refunds are provided within 30 days of purchase (or for pre-sale, 30 days after the course launches) if no more than 3 modules have been completed. Email meg@learnplaythrive.com to request a refund. Since this is a self-paced course, there is no option to cancel once the 30 day / 3 module limit has been exceeded. If for any reason the course is canceled by the provider before your registration period has expired, you will receive a full refund.
All videos used in this presentation have closed captions. If you need additional accommodations, please email admin@learnplaythrive.com prior to your training date. Accommodations will be made to support all learners in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act.
You can send an email to admin@learnplaythrive.com
To see our full complaint policy, please visit this page
Our courses are hosted on Thinkific. You will need one of the two latest versions of a supported browser to access the course. (Note: Internet Explorer is not supported).
Desktop:
Chrome
Firefox
Safari
Microsoft Edge
Mobile:
iOS Safari
Chrome
Samsung Internet
In order to ensure that Thinkific runs well, you will need:
The most recent version of one of the web browsers listed above
Javascript enabled
PDF plugin
Graphic and audio output capability
Broadband internet connection with a minimum speed of 5Mbps (recommended)
TLS 1.2 supported by your web browser
This information was adapted from: https://support.thinkific.com/hc/en-us/articles/360030354954-System-Requirements-and-Supported-Browsers
Our Promise to You:
Group Discounts
We are happy to offer a discount for your group! Email your list of participants to admin@learnplaythrive.com to receive a coupon code.
• 3 participants: 15% off
• 4+ participants: 20% off
• 7+ participants: 30% off
• 50+ participants: please inquire
Our Content is Autistic reviewed
All of our content is reviewed by a panel of professionals from a variety of fields, a number of whom are Autistic. We want to ensure that our courses reflect the lived experiences of Autistic people.
30 Day Money Back Guarantee
We think you’ll love it. But take 30 days to complete up to half of the course. If it’s not what you’d hoped, you get your money back.
Moving away from teaching neurotypical “social skills” to our Autistic clients is only the first step.
In Bridging Perspectives, you’ll how to help your Autistic clients connect, build bridges, and thrive.
Bridging Perspectives: Transformative strategies for neurodiversity-affirming social-emotional learning, Course #6343, is approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program to be offered by Learn Play Thrive LLC as an individual course. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE course approval period: 05/23/2025 – 05/23/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 4.5 clinical continuing education credits.
This course will be available for ASHA CEUs starting April 1st, 2025 until September 29th 2030, 2028 at which point Learn Play Thrive will apply for re-registration.
The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products or clinical procedures.
The recorded materials in this course were last updated on 10/1/2024.