Session C3
Tracks
Stream C (Level 1)
| Saturday, May 17, 2025 |
| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
| Room 7 | BLUE (Level 1) |
Overview
- Understanding and Working with Trauma & Grief in Autistic and ADHD Individuals | Liam Spicer (30 mins)
- The intersection of neurodivergence and chronic illness
| Bianca Comfort (30 mins)
Presenter
Mr Liam Spicer
Understanding and Working with Trauma & Grief in Autistic and ADHD Individuals
10:30 AM - 11:00 AMAbstract
In this presentation, Liam Spicer will guide clinicians through the research, frameworks, and treatment modalities when supporting Autistic and ADHD clients with both trauma and grief. Research has demonstrated that up to 70% of Autistic and ADHD people are
estimated to have a co-occurring mental health condition (e.g., anxiety, depression,
anorexia etc., Lai et al., 2019). Autistic and/or ADHD people have also been
demonstrated to be at increased risk of experiencing a range of adverse life experiences
and subsequent negative life outcomes (El Ayoubi et al., 2021; Schwartz et al., 2023;
Rumball et al., 2019). These experiences of trauma across the lifespan, also often include ongoing experiences of discrimination, ableism, and exclusion, resting in a complex interplay between traumatic symptoms in various forms, and often grief and feelings of loss which is important for clinicians to be aware of to provide appropriate support and treatment.
Not only do Autistic and ADHD individuals often experience grief from their trauma, and also often around not having an understanding of themselves before identification/diagnosis, other losses which may occur need to be considered in the context of their individual differences. This includes areas such as non-death loss, traumatic grief, ambiguous loss, pet loss, but also more specific neurodivergent forms of grief such as the loss of a special interest or opportunities due to living as a disabled person. The presentation will also discuss both trauma and prolonged grief risk factors including Liam’s own research in these areas. Furthermore, through the lens of the Neurodiversity Affirming Paradigm, it will explore how these experiences can be better understood in reference to the therapeutic modalities that can be utilised including EMDR, Schema Therapy, ACT, and somatic therapies, discussing there is often a need for an integrative approach in treatment. Case examples, and Q and A will also be included.
estimated to have a co-occurring mental health condition (e.g., anxiety, depression,
anorexia etc., Lai et al., 2019). Autistic and/or ADHD people have also been
demonstrated to be at increased risk of experiencing a range of adverse life experiences
and subsequent negative life outcomes (El Ayoubi et al., 2021; Schwartz et al., 2023;
Rumball et al., 2019). These experiences of trauma across the lifespan, also often include ongoing experiences of discrimination, ableism, and exclusion, resting in a complex interplay between traumatic symptoms in various forms, and often grief and feelings of loss which is important for clinicians to be aware of to provide appropriate support and treatment.
Not only do Autistic and ADHD individuals often experience grief from their trauma, and also often around not having an understanding of themselves before identification/diagnosis, other losses which may occur need to be considered in the context of their individual differences. This includes areas such as non-death loss, traumatic grief, ambiguous loss, pet loss, but also more specific neurodivergent forms of grief such as the loss of a special interest or opportunities due to living as a disabled person. The presentation will also discuss both trauma and prolonged grief risk factors including Liam’s own research in these areas. Furthermore, through the lens of the Neurodiversity Affirming Paradigm, it will explore how these experiences can be better understood in reference to the therapeutic modalities that can be utilised including EMDR, Schema Therapy, ACT, and somatic therapies, discussing there is often a need for an integrative approach in treatment. Case examples, and Q and A will also be included.
.....
Liam Spicer (he/him) is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the Cairnmillar Institute, co ordinating and teaching the postgraduate certificate in trauma informed care. He is a Psychologist, Researcher, EMDR Consultant and Training Facilitator and Accredited Schema Therapist with lived experience of being neurodivergent as an Autistic ADHDer. Liam has presented at both International and National conferences including the ISST Conference in Poland, the EMDR Asia Conference in Cambodia, the EMDR Australia conference two years consecutively, and the Australasian ADHD Professionals network conference among others. Liam has also delivered guest webinars and trainings for the EMDR Association of Australia, AAPi, Headspace, APS, and other organisations, and a regular podcast guest. Liam has been a contributor to the Routledge International Handbook of Child and Adolescent Grief and is currently a part of an international collaboration for the first book on Neurodiversity Affirming Schema Therapy, due for publication mid 2026. He has published in top academic journals such as Frontiers in Psychiatry, Frontiers in Psychology, Psychotherapy Research and the ISST bulletin in the areas of EMDR, Grief, Schema Therapy and Neurodivergence and is currently a part of a national working group developing Australia’s first clinical practice guideline for MDMA Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD. Liam's PhD is focused on the development and application of Schema Therapy for Prolonged Grief and he has hosted workshops across Australia on the integration of EMDR and Schema Therapy.
Ms Bianca Comfort
Comfort Psychology
The Intersection of Neurodivergence and Chronic Illness
11:00 AM - 11:30 AMAbstract
Neurodivergent individuals, particularly autistic people & ADHDers, experience chronic illnesses at higher rates than the general population. These overlapping conditions can significantly affect their quality of life and mental health.
Join us as we explore the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals who also live with chronic illnesses such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), ME/CFS, Long-COVID, and more. You may be surprised to learn that up to 70% of neurodivergent people experience some of these conditions.
Psychologists are uniquely positioned to support people living with chronic illness. These clients often face additional systemic barriers, disadvantages, and medical trauma. Understanding these intersections is essential for providing comprehensive care to our neurodivergent clients.
This session is crucial for those working with neurodivergent clients due to the high likelihood they may experience chronic illness. By understanding these commonly co-occuring physical health conditions and their impact on mental health, we can all play a role in helping our clients lead meaningful lives.
At the end of this talk, you will have an understanding of chronic illness, as well as practical strategies for how to support your neurodivergent clients through neurodiversity-affirming practices.
Join us as we explore the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals who also live with chronic illnesses such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), ME/CFS, Long-COVID, and more. You may be surprised to learn that up to 70% of neurodivergent people experience some of these conditions.
Psychologists are uniquely positioned to support people living with chronic illness. These clients often face additional systemic barriers, disadvantages, and medical trauma. Understanding these intersections is essential for providing comprehensive care to our neurodivergent clients.
This session is crucial for those working with neurodivergent clients due to the high likelihood they may experience chronic illness. By understanding these commonly co-occuring physical health conditions and their impact on mental health, we can all play a role in helping our clients lead meaningful lives.
At the end of this talk, you will have an understanding of chronic illness, as well as practical strategies for how to support your neurodivergent clients through neurodiversity-affirming practices.
.....
Bianca is a Clinical Psychologist based in Melbourne. She has a particular interest in Autism, ADHD, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), and Long-Covid.
Bianca is a leading practitioner in the intersection of these conditions, and has been recognised by the Ehlers-Danlos Society's global Centers and Networks of Excellence (CNE) program. She also draws from her own lived experience of these conditions, offering a unique perspective that enriches her professional practice.
Bianca’s commitment to these areas extends beyond her practice, where she is actively involved in advocacy work, delivering training, and offering supervision. Her efforts are focused on raising awareness, creating better healthcare outcomes, and igniting the interest of other healthcare professionals to contribute to this vital field.
Outside of her clinical work, Bianca runs a telehealth practice focusing on chronic illness and neurodivergence, and is also a Board Director at the APS.
