Neurodiversity is an Identity, not a Deficit: Ethical Considerations when Applying Recovery-Focused Self-Care Interventions with Neurodivergent College-Age Youth

Date: 8/8/2025

Presenter: Dr. Chantrelle Varnado-Johnson

Title: Neurodiversity is an Identity, not a Deficit: Ethical Considerations when Applying Recovery-Focused Self-Care Interventions with Neurodivergent College-Age Youth

Description: This presentation explores fostering relationship building with neurodiverse students in university settings. Since neurodiversity is an identity rather than a deficit, the presenters will stress the significance of adopting a recovery-focused framework when providing mental health services to college-age youth with a neurodevelopmental disorder, as neurodiversity is an identity rather than a deficit. Participants will learn how to apply an ethical decision-making model to effectively troubleshoot common dilemmas in professional practice. Participants will have fun, connect, and acquire community-based resources. By incorporating evidence-based principles such as motivational interviewing (MI), this presentation aims to offer fresh insights into how recovery-focused self-care interventions can be more expressive, creative, and engaging, ultimately supporting neurodivergent college-aged students in developing healthier and more fulfilling lives beyond addictive behaviors.

Approved for .5 Diagnosis and .5 ethics.

Will be approved for 1.0 Diagnosis for LMFTs

Participants will be able to:

1. Define neurodiversity with an emphasis specifically on strategies to foster relationships in university settings.

2. Examine the concept of neurodiversity as an identity rather than a deficit as it applies to the counseling profession.

3. Identify the core principles of Motivational Interviewing (MI) and how they can be integrated into a recovery focused framework to enhance client outcomes.

4. Discuss the benefits of using a person's first language and ethically applying interventions in the context of providing mental health services.

The Louisiana Counseling Association has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP #2019.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.  LCA is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. 

LCA is also authorized by the Louisiana Mental Health Law (R.S. 37:1101-1123)