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Invited: Tanya Breen

Tracks
Breakout 1
Friday, September 6, 2024
3:45 PM - 4:15 PM
Dobson 1

Overview

Recognising Neurodiversity


Speaker

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Tanya Breen
Tanya Breen

Recognising Neurodiversity

Presentation Abstract

Have you ever had the feeling that you just haven't “clicked” with a client? That despite your best efforts, you didn’t understand each other? Or that regardless of the care you took, their experience of physiotherapy was painful and unpleasant? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, you’ve probably worked with a neurodiverse person. In this presentation, Dr Tanya Breen will define neurodiversity, describe two common neurodiversities (autism and ADHD), and show how recognising and accommodating neurodiversity will help you become a more effective practitioner.

Biography

With a private practice based in Hamilton but consulting across the country, Dr Tanya Breen is a clinical psychologist specialising in autism, neurodiversity and intellectual disability. In addition to diagnostic assessment and therapy, Tanya often works in cases where neurodiverse people are complainants or defendants in criminal proceedings. Tanya helped write the Aotearoa New Zealand Autism Guideline and is part of the team working to keep it current. Committed to the social model of disability, Tanya prefers to work from a strengths and rights-based perspective. Formerly passionate about ballroom and Latin dancing, Tanya enjoys e-biking and swimming. For obvious reasons, she is familiar with physiotherapy and excited that a member of her extended whanau is training to become a physiotherapist.
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