We are thrilled to launch our clinician support program in 2025. This program aims to provide therapists and other clinicians with mini-grants to support free or sliding scale services to neurodivergent individuals. To supplement our mini-grant, we are offering periodic discussion/reflection groups for clinicians to discuss topics related to neurodiversity-affirming clinical services as well as accessibility and inclusion more generally. Our programme is currently by invitation only, though we hope to expand it in the future!

More information:

What is this program?

We provide small grants ($500-750) to clinicians, therapists, and other organisations that focus on mental health or wellbeing for neurodivergnt individuals. Our main focus is supporting direct care (e.g. free or sliding scale care or peer support for neurodivergent patients), but we are also open to supporting general operating expenses, equipment purchasing (e.g. for items that would make a clinic more sensory-friendly), or other expenditures that would lead to a higher quality of care for neurodivergent patients or individuals receiving services.

At the end of the three month period, we will host an (optional) discussion/reflection meeting with grantees where clinicians/therapists can 

a.) Share what their experience with the grant was like/any feedback they may have

b.) Discuss topics related to neurodiversity-affirming care as well as cultural humility, class consciousness, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and other areas of inclusion. We are by no means claiming to be an expert on every (or any) topic related to inclusivity; rather, we hope the program can be one of mutual learning.   

c.) Discuss future goals for their practice and practical applications

How are we defining “neurodivergent”?

We use a broad definition of neurodivergence: if someone identifies with the term based on how they experience, think, communicate, or perceive the world, we trust their self-understanding. In short, our programme is not limited to a specific type of neurodivergence, though our main areas of focus are the following:

1. Autism

2. Intellectual Disability

3. Psychosis 

4. Anyone who has a highly stigmatized and/or inadequately understood form of neurodivergence

The reason for this focus is because people with the above forms of neurodivergence may find it particularly challenging to access care that is accessible and inclusive of their communication style, given the relative lack of training related to these conditions as well as the lack of clinicians with these forms of neurodivergence in the field. 

We hope that this grant can improve access to care for multiply marginalised neurodivergent individuals. We also hope to support clinicians who are neurodivergent and/or multiply marginalised.

What topics do we have experience in?

We have one occupational therapist on our team, an autism researcher, and a physicist-turned-autism-researcher. Some of the topics we are most familiar with include:

• Autism

• Intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) more generally

• PDA (pervasive desire for autonomy)

• LGBTQ+ inclusion

• Domestic violence and supporting survivors of abuse

• Therapy harm and abuse, and healing after stressful experiences with therapy

How can I apply?

Unfortunately, we are not currently accepting applications and mini-grants are by invitation only. However, we hope to expand this programme and set up an application process in the future!

As we are a small organisation ourselves without a great deal of funding, we likely will be limited in how many mini-grants we can give out once our applications open. We are hoping to prioritise organisations/clinicians in the Triangle area (North Carolina). 

We welcome any feedback about the program overall— if you have any questions, comments, or feedback or if you would like to join the discussion/reflection group; please don’t hesitate to contact us at hello@allneurotypes.com!

Acknowledgements

Sam Brandsen would like to acknowledge AKALAKA (Home - AKALAKA) as a partial sponsor/supporter of this program. We are deeply appreciative of AKALAKA’s generosity and their own excellent work related to supporting the neurodivergent and care partner community.