Course Description
This course will focus on the EMPOWER model, a neurodiversity-focused occupational therapy framework designed to support school-based practice. Participants will learn how to apply the model to better understand and address the lived experiences of neurodivergent students.
The session will cover strategies for conducting meaningful assessments, applying models of disablement within school settings, and identifying interventions that are neurodiversity-affirming. By using the EMPOWER model, school-based OTs will gain tools to promote neurodivergent well-being, advocate for anti-ableist practices, and empower students to thrive in an educational environment. This approach encourages practitioners to reflect on their practices and amplify the voices of neurodivergent students, helping them navigate and succeed in a world that can often be disabling.
Learning Objectives
1. Learners will recognize occupational injustice and ableism that proliferates school-based occupational therapy practice.
2. Learners will apply neurodiversity-affirming principles and aspects of the EMPOWER model to practice.
3. Learners will reflect on current practices and modify approaches to ensure they align with best practices as identified by Neurodivergent individuals.
Contact Hours
This course is 90 minutes in length. (0.15 AOTA CEUs)
OTSchoolhouse.com is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development, #0252.
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
As an AOTA-Approved provider of professional development, OTSchoolhouse.com courses are accepted by NBCOT® at a rate of 1.25 NBCOT PDUs per each hour of course content.
NBCOT® is a registered trademark of The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.
Register for this course and future courses inside the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative for as little as $120
Agenda
0–5 minutes – Introduction
Introduction to ableism, neurodiversity, and the purpose of today’s session.
5–15 minutes – Ableism
Exploring how ableism shows up in schools and therapy settings.
15–30 minutes – Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices
Understanding and applying neurodiversity-affirming approaches in practice.
30–45 minutes – Affirming Assessment Tools
Identifying and using assessment tools that honor neurodivergent identities.
45–60 minutes – Models of Disability
Examining core beliefs and frameworks that shape how we view disability and support.
60–75 minutes – EMPOWER Model
Applying the EMPOWER model to promote participation and self-advocacy.
75–85 minutes – Aligning with Current Research
Reviewing research that supports affirming, anti-ableist occupational therapy.
85–90 minutes – Questions and Answers
Open Q&A and discussion to reflect on key takeaways and next steps.
Your Instructor
Bryden Carlson-Giving, OTD, OTR/L
Bryden Carlson-Giving, OTD, OTR/L is a neurodivergent and disabled occupational therapy practitioner (OTP) with experience in pediatric outpatient, inpatient, and school-based settings. Bryden earned his post-professional doctorate from Boston University, where his research focused on creating a toolkit to support OTPs in challenging ableism within the OT profession.
This work led to the development of the first neurodiversity-affirming occupational therapy model, the EMPOWER model. Bryden is also the creator of Neurodivergent Nexus, an online resource hub that supports practitioners in challenging ableism throughout the OT process. He received the 2024 Emerging Leader Award from Boston University, and will publish a book on this work in March 2026, titled "Neurodiversity-Affirming Occupational Therapy: Empowering Approaches to Foster Neurodivergent Participation.
Registration
To access this course and others, become a member of the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative.
OTS Collab is an online community dedicated to providing school-based OT practitioners with highly valuable professional development and interactive support to implement learned strategies. In OTS Collab, we learn together, support and encourage one another, and celebrate our achievements as a collective whole.
Click here to learn more about the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative and register in our dedicated community of school-based OT practitioners.
Instructional Methods
A combination of speaker presentation with a slide deck and both synchronous & asynchronous Q+A with the presenter.
Target Audience
& Educational Level
This is an intermediate level course intended for occupational therapy practitioners working in school systems or with a goal to better understand supporting autistic students in school systems
Course Completion Requirements
To receive a certificate for this course, you must watch the recorded course in its entirety. Then, you will need to take a learning assessment test and earn a score 75% or higher. If you pass, a certificate will be automatically generated and sent to your email.
Special Needs Requests
This course will include closed captioning and a transcript may be available upon request. You may also rewatch the course or sections of the course as needed. Additional accommodations may be requested by reaching out to us via email.
Financial & Non-financial Disclosures
Speaker Disclosure
Bryden is receiving an honorarium for this course. He will be speaking about topics that will be covered in his book.
Sponsor Disclosure
The OTS Collaborative Community is a product of the OT Schoolhouse.
Content Disclosure
This learning event does not focus exclusively on any specific product or service.
Terms and Conditions
Schoolhouse Education, LLC will keep a record of your completed CE courses. When applicable, transcript services may include reporting to professional associations and/or state licensure boards. While Schoolhouse Education, LLC will make all reasonable efforts to offer CE credit for its courses, it is not responsible for state or national, or regulatory current policies or changes in CE requirements that may make courses ineligible for CE credits.
Participant Agreement
By registering for or attending any event or activity associated with the Schoolhouse Education, LLC and OT Schoolhouse, I agree to the following:
Professional Development/Information Disclaimer
The material presented in this course is not intended to represent the only or the best methods appropriate for the occupational therapy and/or medical condition or professional development issues being discussed but rather is intended to present the opinions of the presenters, which may be helpful to other health care professionals at arriving at their own conclusions and consequent application. Attendees participating in this professional development education program do so with full knowledge that they waive any claim they may have against the A-Z School-Based OT Course, Schoolhouse Education, LLC, and OT School House and its staff or representatives for reliance on any information presented during these educational activities.
Waiver of Liability Agreement
I release Schoolhouse Education, LLC, OT Schoolhouse, and its staff, presenters, and any other individuals or entities associated with this course from any and all liability connected with my participation, as well as from any liability related to changes to the schedule, events or activities. I acknowledge and agree that I am participating on my own choice and assume all risk in connection thereof and that in the event that a need for emergency medical service arises, I authorize and consent to such services being provided at my own expense.
Cancelation & Refund Policy
In the event that Schoolhouse Education, LLC must cancel the event for any reason, participants will be offered a credit toward the rescheduled event. OT Schoolhouse Collaborative subscribers may cancel their subscription at any time.