4C - Empowering Neurodiverse Learners: A Collaborative Model Between Counseling Interns and University of St. Thomas's Pragmatic Program
3:30 PM - 4:30 PMWed
Panther Room
Speakers
Chloe Swan
MSW, Clinical Intern
A Healing Path Counseling
Sofia Rubio
LPC Intern
A Healing Path Counseling
Dayna Gurley, LCSW-S, CCTS, ACM
Licensed Clinical Social Work - Supervisor
A Healing Path Counseling
This presentation highlights an innovative partnership between A Healing Path Counseling and the University of St. Thomas Pragmatic Program supporting autistic college students. Our collaboration provides group and mentoring support designed to strengthen executive functioning, self-advocacy, and emotional regulation skills. Presenters will also discuss parent engagement through workshops and share lessons from implementing this model. This work aligns with the conference theme, "Empowering Communities: No Limits, No Stigma," by creating an inclusive framework that bridges clinical practice, higher education, and family systems to promote neurodiverse success. Session Objectives: 1. Describe the collaboration model between A Healing Path Counseling and the University of St. Thomas Pragmatic Program that supports autistic college students. 2. Identify group, mentoring, and parent-engagement strategies that strengthen executive functioning, self-advocacy, and emotional regulation skills. 3. Apply key lessons from this partnership to develop or enhance similar neurodiversity-affirming programs within their own settings.