This course builds on foundational knowledge of neurodiversity to examine how organizations, including social work agencies, mental health clinics, and human services systems, carry and reinforce neurotypical norms. Designed for intermediate-level practitioners, the course centers systemic, neuroinclusive design as a meaningful and achievable practice goal.

Participants will examine how power, identity, and organizational culture shape access and belonging for neurodivergent employees, supervisees, and clients. Drawing on Universal Design for Learning (UDL), intersectionality, authentic leadership, and anti-oppressive practice frameworks, the course equips social workers with practical tools to analyze and reshape workplace practices, supervision structures, and organizational policies at the mezzo and macro levels, with sustained attention to how those changes reach into more equitable micro-level interactions.

Case Example Demonstration: This course includes a detailed case example where the instructor, Sandra Crespo, discusses how to conduct an organizational audit.

Course curriculum

    1. Welcome to the course!

    2. Our Plan

    1. Overview: What We Mean By Neurodiversity

    2. Neurodiversity as a Frame

    3. Why This Work is Important

    1. Overview: Power, Identity, and Systems in the Workplace

    2. Neurotypical Norms as Organizational Infrastructure

    3. Power, Identity, and the Hidden Curriculum

    4. A Case Example: Power, Identity & the Hidden Curriculum

    5. How the System Places the Burden on Individuals

    1. Overview: Accommodations vs. Neuroinclusive Design

    2. The Accommodations Model: Strengths, Limits, and the Question Worth Asking

    3. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as an Organizational Framework

    4. What Neuroinclusive Design Looks Like in Practice

    1. Overview: Applying a Neuroinclusive Lens Across Social Work Roles

    2. Mezzo level: Supervision

    3. Mezzo Level: Team Dynamics

    4. Authentic Leadership

    5. Macro Level: Program Design & Policy: Spotting Neurotypical Norms

    6. Macro Level: The Difference Between Anticipatory and Reactive Policy

    7. Case Example: Maya, A Clinical Supervisor

    8. Micro Level: How Systemic Change Shapes Direct Interactions

    1. Overview: Implementation

    2. Starting Where You Are: A Neuroinclusive Organizational Audit

    3. Making the Case for Change

    4. Skills Demonstration: Conducting an Organizational Audit

    5. Sustaining Change Over Time

About this course

  • $29.00
  • 2 CE Credits (Social & Cultural Competency)
  • Online, self-paced, noninteractive course
  • Available in the U.S. and Canada

Meet the Instructor

Sandra N. Crespo, LICSW, known as The NeuroSpicy Social Worker, is a clinical leader, speaker, and educator advancing neuroaffirming and culturally responsive practice in social work. With over 18 years of experience across clinical care, program development, and executive leadership, she brings a practical, real-world lens to workforce well-being and sustainable practice.

As the Founder and CEO of Unalome Consulting Group, Sandra provides psychotherapy, education, executive coaching, and training that helps clinicians and organizations move beyond burnout toward more adaptive, inclusive, and effective ways of working. She is especially passionate about challenging stigma and expanding how the field understands competence, productivity, and care.

Sandra is currently pursuing her Doctor of Social Work at Simmons University, where her research centers on neuroaffirming leadership. A dynamic and engaging presenter, Sandra delivers actionable, thought-provoking learning experiences that support ethical, reflective, and sustainable social work practice.

Course Details

Credits: This course offers 2 social & cultural competency continuing education credits. Learn more

Cost: $29

Format: This is an online, self-paced, noninteractive course that includes reading and recorded videos (asynchronous course).

Registration: To register for this course, click the "Enroll" button. This course is self-paced, so you can join at any time after completing your registration and payment.

Practice Level: Intermediate

Target Audience: Social workers with foundational knowledge of neurodiversity.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this training, you will learn to:

  • Analyze how neurotypical norms are embedded in organizational culture and identify how they create systemic barriers for neurodivergent employees, supervisees, and clients.

  • Distinguish between accommodation-based and neuroinclusive design approaches, and explain the limitations of reactive accommodation models.

  • Apply a neuroinclusive lens to supervision structures, team practices, program design, and organizational policy.

  • Describe at least two concrete strategies for implementing neuroinclusive changes at the mezzo and/or macro level in their current or future practice setting.

  • Describe how systemic neuroinclusive practices at the organizational level positively shape direct service interactions at the micro level.

Continuing Education Credits

Continuing education credits are offered to social workers in all U.S. states except New York and across all Canadian provinces. If your state uses CE Broker, you will need to manually upload your certificate of credit. Learn more

Additional Information

Refund & Cancellation Policy: GetPractice will fully refund requests from learners who have not completed a course. If a learner has completed all requirements of a course and received their certificate of completion, they are no longer eligible for a refund. 

Accessibility: Please email [email protected] to discuss any questions or requests regarding accessibility & accommodations. 

System Requirements: This course is hosted on the GetPractice site. To complete the course and all required course materials, learners will login to the GetPractice course site. Learners will need a computer or smartphone and an internet connection to complete the course.

Course Completion Requirements: To complete the course and receive their certificate of credit, learners will complete all online lessons in the course, a posttest (a passing score of 80% is required, learners can retake the test if needed), and a course evaluation. Once these components are successfully completed, the learner’s certificate of credit will be available immediately on the course page and in their learner account.

Availability Notice: This course is currently available to customers located in the United States and Canada.

Questions or Concerns: Please reach out to [email protected] 

Course Creation Date: 10/07/2026

GetPractice LLC, provider #2517, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period:11/14/25-11/14/26. Social workers completing this course receive 2 social and cultural competence continuing education credits.

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