Summer Symposium 2025. A One-Day Online Event (Live on Zoom)
Zebras and Horses: for Therapists and Counsellors Working with Autistic Adults.
Date: 9th August 2025 | Fee: £28 for the whole day | Hosted by: Vanguard Neurodiversity Training
The Vanguard Neurodiversity Training Summer Symposium is an annual event for therapists, counsellors, and mental health professionals interested in deepening their work with autistic adult clients. This year’s symposium focuses on the theme of ‘Zebras and Horses’ as we discuss in detail, and whole heartedly celebrate neuro-difference. The topics this summer are about neuroaffirming autism assessment, emerging free of stigma, therapists sensitivity alongside change, discovering being queer or trans as well as autistic, autistic time of perimenopause and menopause, grief, loss, and adjustment. Moreover, there are at least two amazing opportunities to get free resources, and a way to join autistic communities of therapists.
For our one day symposium, we bring together professional voices—many of them autistic therapists themselves. All speakers are professionally or personally positioned to speak on their topics, and they offer fresh, research-informed, and deeply relational perspectives on the issues that they explore and reveal with us.
Quotes from our speakers include:
Vauna Beauvais, Therapist, Trainer, Broadcaster, Author: "Zebras and horses, yes, this fundamental reframe underlies every aspect of therapeutic work with autistic adults."
Emma Welsby. Occupational Therapist and Autism Assessor: “A neuroaffirming autism assessment doesn’t diagnose—it dignifies.”
Eoin Stephens, Therapist, Clinical Supervisor, Trainer, Broadcaster: "I am sharing how we therapists can enhance intrinsic motivation and useful self-directed change, rather than impose external pressure or advice."
Natalie Clarke, Therapist and Activist for LGBTQ+ lives: “Sometimes the mask was also a closet. I share about therapy that is ready to hold both.”
Cheryl Long, Therapist and facilitator of menopause cafe for autistic women: “The overlooked intersection of perimenopause and menopause often marks a period of increased vulnerability for autistic women. I share, with my stories."
Yolanda Wade: Therapist and bereavement trainer: “We discuss the impact of loss and autistic clients. Our focus is on attuning and aligning with possibilities of differently processed and differently visible grief.”
There are interactive discussions, practical workshops, presentations, recordings, and generous resource sharing. Together, we create an environment where learning extends into meaningful (and enjoyable) professional development and enrichment.
Key Themes Include:
Supporting identity emergence and self-understanding, before, during and after autism discovery
Revealing ways to use tools for autism assessment as a collaborative, relational process
Integrating Motivational Interviewing for exploration, insights, and growth
Understanding the impact of menopause on autistic women
Navigating intersectionality: autism, queerness, and gender discovery
Attuning to grief in neurodivergent processing and expression
Who Could Attend? This symposium is ideal for psychotherapists, counsellors, psychologists, clinical supervisors, mental health coaches, and educators who want to expand their understanding and ethical responsiveness in neurodivergent therapeutic practice.
What You’ll Get:
Full access to all workshops and panel sessions
Downloadable handouts and session materials
Live Q&A with speakers
A discussion with the editor of an all-autistic written book of therapy gems
Opportunity to join a growing community of neurodiversity-affirming professionals
Offer for symposium attendees to join a platform of resources for therapists working with neurodivergent clients
Come and Join us. Get your ticket here