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Live Webinar

Neurodivergence and Suicidality: Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies

Matthew Zakreski, PsyD
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Information

Date & Time

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Explain the changing demographics and incident data around rates of youth suicide, and how these are impacted when neurodivergence is a modifier (i..e, ADHD, autism, dyslexia)

  • Describe how to have neurodivergent-informed conversations with clients about suicidal thoughts and actions, taking into account neurodivergent communication tendencies, such as being more literal/concrete, struggles with subtext, and emotional intensity

  • Identify at least three clinical approaches for helping neurodivergent clients find systems, places, and supports to manage suicidality, using interest-based processing and systems theory of support

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this workshop is to increase clinicians’ understanding of neurodivergence, its intersection with mental health, and the unique vulnerabilities of neurodivergent clients. Participants will learn evidence-informed therapeutic strategies and considerations for supporting neurodivergent clients before, during, and after a suicidal event.

Description

Suicidality presents unique considerations when the clients involved are neurodivergent. This presentation will define neurodivergence, identify its various types, and share case examples that demonstrate the unique vulnerabilities of this population and the best therapeutic practices for intervention. We'll also consider the intersectionality of neurodivergent clients and explore the complexities of mental health treatment before, during, and after a suicidal event.  

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Matthew Zakreski, PsyD
Matthew “Dr. Matt” Zakreski, PsyD is a high energy, creative clinical psychologist and professional speaker who utilizes an eclectic approach to meet the specific needs of his neurodivergent clients. He is proud to serve the neurodivergent community as a consultant, a professor, an author, and a researcher. He has spoken over one thousand times all over the world about supporting neurodivergent clients, organizational wellness, and mental health. Dr. Zakreski is a member of Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG), the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), the New Jersey Association for Gifted Children (NJAGC), and Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education (PAGE). Dr. Zakreski graduated from Widener University’s Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology (IGCP) in 2016. He is the co-founder of The Neurodiversity Collective, LLC, co-host of the podcast “Nerding out on Neurodiversity,” and the author of the Neurodiversity Playbook: How Neurodivergent People Can Crack the Code of Living in a Neurotypical World. He was inducted into the New Jersey Gifted Education Hall of Fame in 2026.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Newport Healthcare