Dr. Tony Meiners to Present on Neurodiversity Informed + Affirming Support at IECA 2025

DETROIT, MI – May 6th, 2025 – Dr. Tony Meiners, Clinical Director of The Neurodivergent Collective, based in Newport Beach, CA, will join a distinguished panel at the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) 2025 National Conference in Detroit, MI. The panel, titled “Neurodiversity Informed & Affirming Support,” will bring together experts from educational consulting and clinical program settings to discuss best practices in supporting neurodivergent individuals.

Dr. Tony Meiners’ contribution will center on the core principles of neurodiversity-affirming care. This approach recognizes neurodivergence, such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, as natural variations in human cognition and emotion. Meiners, PsyD, will emphasize how affirming care prioritizes identity development, emotional safety, and autonomy for neurodivergent individuals, while acknowledging and addressing the real-world challenges they may encounter throughout their lives.

Key principles of neurodivergent-affirming care to be highlighted during the presentation include:

• Non-pathologizing: Viewing neurodivergence as a difference rather than a deficit.
• Strengths-based: Focusing on and leveraging the unique talents and abilities of neurodivergent individuals.
• Collaboration and Autonomy: Emphasizing partnership with the individual and respecting their self-determination.
• Rejection of Conformity: Moving away from expectations of neurotypical behavior as the ideal.
• Accessibility by Design: Creating environments and systems that are inherently inclusive and supportive of diverse neurotypes.

The presentation will underscore the critical importance of collaboration across various systems, including schools, therapeutic settings, and during college transitions. Integrated and coordinated care is essential for neurodivergent individuals to thrive. The Neurodivergent Collective’s goal is to provide practical, neurodiversity-affirming frameworks that bridge clinical insights with actionable strategies for educators, consultants, and families. This approach aims to balance necessary accommodations with opportunities for growth and self-regulation.

Ultimately, affirming care is about providing the right environment and support at the right time, grounded in a deep and individualized understanding. By integrating identity-affirming practices with informed, system-aware collaboration, professionals can foster resilience, reduce shame, and facilitate meaningful progress for neurodivergent learners.

Attendees of IECA 2025 are encouraged to attend this insightful panel Tuesday, May 6th, 2025 to gain valuable knowledge and practical strategies for supporting neurodivergent individuals in their educational journeys and beyond.

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TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE IECA CONFERENCE VISIT: https://www.iecaonline.com/education-events/annual-conference/