Where Neurodiversity Meets Gender Diversity in Teens and Young Adults

Description:

Neurodiversity refers to variations in social communication, language, learning, attention, executive functioning, behavior, and other brain functions. Neurodiverse people may have diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Evidence suggests that neurodiverse individuals, particularly those on the autism spectrum, are more likely to be gender diverse and have a lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or asexual sexual orientation, compared to neurotypical individuals.

This course aims to: delve deeper into understanding neurodiversity, how that neurodiversity impacts interpersonal relationships, specifically intimate and romantic relationships, and how to support neurodiverse individuals in their journey of gender identity and sexual orientation.

Learning Objectives:

Understand and be able to describe neurodiversity and its impact on social development and understanding
Describe 3 ways to modify treatment to work with neurodiverse individuals
Be able to describe how to support neurodiverse individuals in developing their own gender identity and sexual orientation

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Alexis Bitting, LMHC is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and has a Ph.D. in Clinical Sexology. She has specialized experience working with children, teens, and adults with social and developmental delays, including autism spectrum disorders, Asperger’s, ADHD, non-verbal learning, and other challenges. She also provides school observations, consultation, and individual and group therapy focused on emotional, social, and behavioral issues.  She has specialized experience working with anxiety including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, specific phobias, OCD, and Trichotillomania. She also treats individuals with depression, anger management, personality disorders, emotion regulation challenges, social skills deficits, etc. Her doctorate in Clinical Sexology provides her with specialized training in working with LGBTQ clients as well as providing sexual education to children, teens, and adults, particularly those with social and developmental delays.

In April 2017, Dr. Bitting was the keynote speaker at Baptist Health South Florida’s 15th Annual Autism Spectrum Disorders Conference on the Importance of Social Skills Training for Individuals with ASD and Mental Health and Sexuality across the Autism Spectrum. Dr. Bitting is the recipient of the 2022 award for Outstanding Professional given by the University of Miami Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. Dr. Bitting is a member of the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association, the International OCD Foundation, and is a certified provider of the PEERS social skills program. She currently coordinates and facilitates a social skills group program for those aged 5-22 years of age.