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Online Course

Neurodiversity Specialist Training: Affirming Practices for Autism, ADHD, “AuDHD”, Dyslexia, OCD, and More

$299.99 Standard

Everything You're Getting

  • More than 19 hours of content
  • Up to 18.5 CE credits
  • Certificate of completion

Meet Your Experts

Sheetal Parikh, OTD, OTR/L, ASDCS, CYT

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Sheetal Parikh, OTD, OTR/L, ASDCS, CYT, has been an occupational therapist since 2001. Dr. Parikh is a clinical assistant professor in the masters and doctorate occupational therapy programs at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA. She teaches in courses such as neuroscience, clinical skills, movement analysis, evaluations and assessments, rehabilitation interventions, and developmental interventions.

Dr. Parikh has over 20 years of clinical experience working with children and adults in a variety of settings and with a variety of diagnoses. Since 2006, Dr. Parikh has worked in the school setting with children and adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), sensory processing disorder (SPD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), developmental delays, genetic disorders, neurological disorders, and orthopedic disorders. She has also worked in early intervention, pediatric medical day cares, adult rehabilitation hospitals, acute care hospitals, sub-acute rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and home care.

Dr. Parikh is the founder and owner of SPOT Therapy, LLC, a company that specializes in providing occupational and physical therapy services in the schools. She provides evaluations, treatments, interventions, and education in the areas of sensory integration, self-regulation, autism, ADHD, and developmental delays. Dr. Parikh is a certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS) and a certified yoga instructor (CYT). She teaches dance, yoga, and mindfulness to children of all abilities.

Dr. Parikh earned her Doctorate degree in occupational therapy in 2014 from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA, with a focus on the multi-sensory approach to teaching handwriting. She earned her master’s degree in occupational therapy and her bachelor’s degree in health sciences in 2001 from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, PA.

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Sheetal Parikh has employment relationships with Saint Joseph's University, Kutest Kids Early Intervention, Salem County Special Services, and SPOT Therapy. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Sheetal Parikh has no relevant non-financial relationships.

More taught by Sheetal Parikh, OTD, OTR/L, ASDCS, CYT

Hannah Smith, MA, LMHC, CGP

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Hannah Smith, MA, LMHC, CGP, an author, business owner, and innovator, is a licensed mental health therapist and internationally board-certified group psychotherapist, consultant & clinical trainer with nearly 25 years of experience in her dual passions: helping others recover from multiple difficult life circumstances and improve their well-being and enhancing the knowledge of clinicians who work in the field of clinical care. With undergraduate degrees in hard sciences and master’s degrees in in special education and counseling psychology, she combines her knowledge in unique ways to analyze and synthesize difficult concept into "feet-to-the-pavement," practical applications for clinical practitioners at all levels. She has done extensive study and work in neuroscience-informed treatment of anxiety and trauma and is certified in interpersonal neurobiology through the Mindsight Institute. Her work experience, both in the US and abroad, has given her a unique perspective, cross-cultural awareness, sensitivity & respect, and a relatability that puts people at ease and makes her highly approachable. Her dynamic and thought-provoking, teaching style is invigorating, making learning fun, personal, and practical.

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Hannah Smith maintains a private practice and receives a speaking honorarium from Cascadia Training. She receives royalties as a published author. Hannah Smith receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Hannah Smith is a member of the American Group Psychotherapy Association, and the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association.

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Merriam Sarcia Saunders, LMFT, ADHD-CCSP

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Merriam Sarcia Saunders, LMFT, ADHD-CCSP, is a licensed marriage and family therapist and Certified Clinical Services Provider with deep clinical experience supporting people with ADHD and neurodivergence across the lifespan. She brings over 15 years of practice in private, school, and community settings, with specialized expertise in ADHD, autism, and ADHD coaching.

Merriam is widely recognized for her work translating complex ADHD research into practical, compassionate strategies. She is the author of ADHD-focused children’s books such as My Whirling, Twirling Motor and My Wandering, Dreaming Mind, as well as adult non-fiction including Divorce and the ADHD, Autistic, Anxious Child and Mindfulness Meditation for ADHD, which reflects her commitment to strength-based, mindful approaches for neurodivergent brains.

In addition to her books, Merriam co-founded A Novel Mind, a widely used database and resource hub for neurodiversity-affirming literature, and serves as an adjunct professor of psychology, bringing evidence-informed practice into both clinical and educational spaces.

Known for blending mindfulness, behaviorally grounded support, and real-world insight, she teaches clinicians how to help clients and families build self-regulation, resilience, and effective routines that honor the unique strengths and challenges of ADHD.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Merriam Saunders maintains a private practice and has employment relationships with Superior Court of California, Dominican University, Marin County Office of Education, Centene Corporation MHN/Healthnet, and the Ansel Adams Trust. She receives royalties as a published author. Merriam Saunders receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Merriam Saunders has no relevant non-financial relationships.

More taught by Merriam Sarcia Saunders, LMFT, ADHD-CCSP

Penny Stack, OTD, OTR/L, COTA, CLT, NBC-HWC

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Penny Stack, OTD, OTR/L, COTA, CLT, NBC-HWC
Dr. Stack has been practicing occupational therapy for 35+ years in areas of acute care, SNF, LTAC, home health, schools, outpatient adults and pediatrics, and community re-entry with her most recent focus in serving families living with dyslexia. Dr. Stack received her Associates of Arts in Occupational Therapy Assistant at Loma Linda University, Bachelor of Science at California State University, San Bernardino, Master’s in Occupational Therapy at Samuel Merritt College, and her Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Loma Linda University. Dr. Stack is the founder and owner of DyslexiaRx, founder of Dyslexia Center of Tulsa and the Educate to Advocate Podcast. She has dedicated her research to the topics of Dyslexia and its impact on Occupation: The Lived Experience as well as Occupational Engagement and Scleroderma. Her teaching emphasis encompasses capstone and research. Dr. Penny Stack serves as the Coordinator of Doctoral Capstone and Research, Assistant Professor at Wilson College.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Penny Stack is the owner and founder of DyslexiaRX and has an employment relationship with Wilson College. She is a presenter with Theramoves. Penny Stack receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Penny Stack is a member of the Occupational Therapy Association of California, the American Occupational Therapy Association, and the Oklahoma Occupational Therapy Association.
More taught by Penny Stack, OTD, OTR/L, COTA, CLT, NBC-HWC

Roberto Olivardia, PhD

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Dr. Roberto Olivardia is a clinical psychologist, lecturer in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and clinical associate at McLean Hospital. He maintains a private practice in Lexington, MA, where he specializes in the treatment of ADHD, executive functioning issues, and issues that face students with learning differences. He is a recognized expert in the treatment of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). He is on the Professional Advisory Boards for Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD) and The Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA), as well as sits on the Scientific Advisory Board for ADDitude and the Expert Network for Understood. He is co-author of The Adonis Complex, a book which details the various manifestations of body image problems in males. He has appeared in publications such as Time, GQ, and Rolling Stone, and has been featured on Good Morning America, Extra, CBS This Morning, CNN, and VH1. He has spoken on numerous radio and webinar shows and presents at many talks and conferences around the country. He conducts advocacy work for Decoding Dyslexia – Massachusetts and is a member of the American Association of Suicidology and International Dyslexia – Massachusetts and is a member of the American Association of Suicidology and International Dyslexia Association. He also has lived experience as someone with ADHD and learning differences and a parent of two teenagers with ADHD and Dyslexia.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Roberto Olivardia maintains a private practice and has employment relationships with McLean Hospital, Within Health, and Women Insight, Inc. He receives royalties as a published author and is a consultant with the National Institute of Drug Abuse, Risk Factors for Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Abuse. Dr. Olivardia receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Roberto Olivardia is a member of the Academy for Eating Disorders, the American Association of Suicidology, the American Psychological Association, the Attention Deficit Disorder Association, the Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, the International Dyslexia Association, the International Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation, the Massachusetts Psychological Association, and the Multi-Service Eating Disorder Association.


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Media Type:
Online Course
Product Code:
CRS002278
Duration:
19 hours, 32 minutes
Copyright:
Jul 30, 2025

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