Growing Up Confident: Shame-Free, Affirming Strategies for Raising Neurodivergent Kids

Date: January 15, 2026, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.Two children play together indoors, each standing with arms outstretched for balance on curved wooden balance boards. The child in front, smiling, wears a light short-sleeve button-up shirt and dark pants. The child behind wears a grey T-shirt and dark pants, focused on balancing. They are in a bright room with light wood floors, a grey couch, and pale green paneled walls.
Presented by: Amber Johnson, MA and Sara Pahl, MS, LPCC, BCBA, NCC
Pricing: $59.99
-Member discount: $10
-Scholarship rate available. Apply on the registration form.
Held Virtually: recording will be available for one month after the workshop

Many autistic and neurodivergent children grow up carrying deep shame about their differences—shame that can limit confidence, contribute to anxiety and depression, and prevent them from reaching their full potential. This workshop provides tools and strategies for navigating day-to-day challenges while fostering confidence and self-acceptance in children. We’ll explore how internalized and societal ableism can shape a child’s self-perception, and how adults can counter these messages through affirming, everyday interactions. Topics include understanding what a child’s behavior is trying to communicate, responding in balanced and supportive ways, navigating demand avoidance, and developing individualized approaches that meet each child’s unique needs. We’ll also explore ways to talk with children about neurodiversity, the role of diagnosis in identity development, identifying affirming providers, and using practical tools to build confidence and self-understanding. Designed for parents, caregivers, educators, and professionals who support neurodivergent children, this session offers grounded, evidence-based strategies to help children grow up confident and resilient.

Objectives

  • Identify how internalized and societal ableism influence a child’s self-perception and describe strategies adults can use to counter shame-based messages through everyday affirming interactions.

  • Interpret the underlying communication behind common behaviors and apply balanced, supportive responses that reduce stress and strengthen connection.

  • Develop individualized approaches for navigating demand avoidance and daily challenges that honor a child’s sensory, emotional, and cognitive needs.

  • Practice ways to talk with children about neurodiversity and identity, including how to use diagnosis as a tool for self-understanding, choose affirming providers, and support confidence and resilience over time.

REGISTER

Presenters

Amber Johnson earned her MA in Marriage and Family Therapy and her bachelor’s degree in Sociology. She is passionate about providing affirming, strengths-based support for neurodivergent individuals and neurodiverse relationships. Amber offers therapy for adults and teens (13+) in individual, couples, family or friendship sessions.

Her work emphasizes the power of secure attachment relationships to support mental health and honors the unique strengths of autistic communication and connection. She often works with clients on exploring neurotype, navigating community supports and accommodations, neurodivergent parenting and caregiving, building community connections, addressing family-of-origin challenges, and healing from trauma.

Amber’s therapeutic style is collaborative and flexible. She partners with clients to determine what approach works best—whether that means structured sessions with clear topics, open client-led exploration, or something in between. She frequently draws from Narrative Therapy, Emotionally Focused Family Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, existential approaches, and humanistic therapies.

Sara Pahl is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, and Nationally Certified Counselor, who has worked with individuals with ASD for over 25 years. Pahl has been fortunate to work with individuals on the autism spectrum across the life span, in many different roles, including mental health therapist, director of a behavior analytic community-based instruction teen and early intervention programs, primary grade teacher, and adjunct professor. Pahl has a background in systems counseling and behavior analysis, and a passion for precision measurement and Precision Teaching. Pahl has published works in the Behavior Analyst Today and the Journal of Precision Teaching. Pahl was fortunate earlier in her career to begin working with children and adults with autism.  She was able to participate in the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) research convocation, Addressing the Needs of Adolescents and Adults with Autism over 15 years ago. This provided her with a lens and appreciation of the unique strengths and differences of those with ASD. She has presented her applied clinical work with children, adolescents, and adults with autism at local, state, and national conferences such as the Association for Behavior Analysis annual convention, Autism Society of Minnesota’s state conference, and the International Precision Teaching Conference.

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