Tag Archives: AVA – Women and Girls

Neurodivergent Affirming Care: Supporting Autistic Girls and Women: Danielle Busayong

Online Workshop Recordings & Resources

Overview

In January 2026, the Neurodivergent Working Group, a collaboration of various organizations across British Columbia, hosted two free online learning sessions focused on neurodivergent-affirming care for autistic girls and women.

These sessions were designed to support educators, mental health professionals, and community members in deepening their understanding of autism as it presents in girls and women, and in fostering environments that affirm neurodivergent identities.

This page provides a brief overview of the workshops, along with access to the session recording and presentation slides.

 

Session 1

Neurodivergent Affirming Care: Supporting Autistic Girls and Women

Audience:
School and Mental Health Professionals

Date:
January 23, 2026
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM (PST)

Format:
Online (Zoom)

 

Session Description

This online session focuses on neuroaffirming practices and building supportive, inclusive environments for autistic and neurodivergent youth.

Through discussion and real-world examples, participants gain insight into:

  • Masking and its impacts

  • Autistic burnout

  • How autism may present in girls and gender-diverse youth

  • Practical strategies to support neurodivergent individuals without forcing conformity to neurotypical norms

The session emphasizes understanding, respect, and empowerment, centering the lived experiences of neurodivergent people.

 

Presenter

Danielle Busayong
Neurodivergent AuDHD Speech-Language Pathologist

Danielle (Dani) Busayong is a neurodivergent AuDHD Speech-Language Pathologist who brings a holistic, strengths-based approach to communication support. Drawing on her own journey of self-discovery around neurodivergence and cultural identity, Dani collaborates with families and clients to define what meaningful communication looks like for them—rather than shaping individuals to fit a neurotypical mould.

Dani is deeply committed to empowering neurodivergent individuals in their right to communicate in ways that feel authentic and affirming.

 

Workshop Recording

📺 Session Recording

 

Presentation Slides

📄 Presentation Slides (PDF)

 

Fostering Well-Being in Autistic Girls and Women

Recordings from day one of a two-day event in November 2022

Girls and Women are often overlooked in autism research, clinical training and service provision. Due to difficulties reading social cues, autistic girls and women, in general, are disproportionately victims of bullying, sexual assault and abusive relationships. Mental health challenges such anxiety, depression, panic, eating disorders, ADHD, OCD and addictions are exacerbated by the lack of awareness of the needs of women and girls. By shedding light on their experiences and providing practical strategies, we can support autistic girls and women to thrive.

This presentation offers practical insight for professionals to better understand how to support autistic girls and women, including case studies. 

About the Presenter

Dori Zener, MSW, RSW

Dori Zener, a Registered Social Worker, has been working with neurodivergent individuals and their loved ones for over fifteen years. As an Individual, Couple and Family Therapist, Dori uses person-centred evidence-based therapy techniques to help each client achieve their goals and enhance their lives. She is the Director of Dori Zener & Associates, a neurodiversity-affirming mental health agency in Toronto.  Dori is passionate about autism acceptance. She endeavours to expand the understanding of autism through publications, workshops, research collaborations and corporate consultation.

Dori believes in the power of shared lived experience to foster connection and hope. She has championed the development of four autistic-led peer support groups: Good Company (formerly Asperfemme Toronto), a support group for adult women and nonbinary individuals with official/self-diagnosis on the Autism Spectrum, Chilling on the Spectrum, a young adult support and social group, Navigating Work a unique group for neurodivergent job seekers and Rainbow Spectrum Pride, a support group for autistic 2SLGBTQIA+ adults.

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Part 1: Profile of Autism Girls/Women

Part 2: The INVEST model (Identify Needs, Validate, Educate, Strengthen and Thrive)

Part 3: INVEST Model Case Studies

Sex Matters: The secondary impact of low prevalence for girls and women with autism

Filmed at ACT’s 14th Annual Focus on Research Conference – April 4, 2018

Dr. Jamison established Girls Night Out (GNO) in 2008 to provide socially valid and meaningful interventions designed specifically for females with autism and related developmental disabilities. Details of the program can be found here Girls Night Out: Lessons learned from a unique intervention for girls with autism. 

This second part of the keynote presentation focuses on research on the possible secondary impact on females with autism because of the discrepancy in rates of diagnosis between males and females. The concern is that missing females with autism is  exacerbating social-communication impairments and increasing risk for co-occurring mental health conditions.

Dr. Rene Jamison and Dr. Jessica Oeth Schuttler, Center for Child Health and Development (CCHD), University of Kansas Medical Center

Dr. Rene Jamison is an Associate Professor and licensed psychologist in pediatrics at the Center for Child Health and Development (CCHD), University of Kansas Medical Center. Her primary research focus is females with autism, identifying factors that contribute to social competence across development, and interventions to improve social-emotional health.

Dr. Jessica Oeth Schuttler is a licensed psychologist and clinical assistant professor also at the CCHD. She is the associate director for the Girls Night Out Program and key collaborator on related research projects, community partnership, and training efforts to create more inclusive communities.

Part 1: Introduction, Implications, Experiences of girls in the program

Part 2: Exploring the Social Profile of Females with Autism

Part 3: Cumulative Impact Across the Lifespan

Part 4: Sustaining & Expanding Ongoing Access

Part 5: Training & Dissemination of Best Practices

Part 6: Q&A

  1. How does your program work for girls that require a lot of support or are non-speaking? How do you make it as inclusive as you can when there’s such a wide range of needs across the spectrum? (Start-5:28)
  2. What would this program look like for younger girls aged 5-10 years old? (5:34-7:28)
  3. What interventions or methodlogies does GNO provide for the home environment? (7:28  -10:08)
  4. Has there been any thought about coming up with a weekend or week where social skills can be learned through cooking and other skill-building activities?(10:08- 11:54)
  5. How do you recruit neurotypical peers? Do you expect them to have previous knowledge of ASD? (11:55-15:43)

Girls Night Out: Lessons learned from a unique intervention for girls with autism

Filmed at ACT’s 14th Annual Focus on Research Conference – April 4, 2018

This presentation is followed by Sex Matters: The secondary impact of low prevalence for girls and women with autism.

Dr. Jamison established Girls Night Out (GNO) in 2008 to provide socially valid and meaningful interventions designed specifically for females with autism and related developmental disabilities. It is a positive and practical approach to giving girls with autism the opportunity to engage socially in a supportive environment.

In this presentation, Dr. Jamison and Dr. Oeth Schuttler explain the development of GNO. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of embedding the program within the community and during activities that social or self-care care skills would naturally occur. The role of trained peer volunteers in ensuring authentic opportunities for successful practice within realistic social settings is explained.

The second part of this keynote presentation, Sex Matters: The secondary impact of low prevalence for girls and women with autism, focuses on research examining the possible secondary impact on females with autism, of the discrepancy in rates of diagnosis between males and females. The concern is that missing females with autism is  exacerbating social-communication impairments and increasing risk for co-occurring mental health conditions.

Dr. Rene Jamison and Dr. Jessica Oeth Schuttler, Center for Child Health and Development (CCHD), University of Kansas Medical Center

Dr. Rene Jamison is an Associate Professor and licensed psychologist in pediatrics at the Center for Child Health and Development (CCHD), University of Kansas Medical Center. Her primary research focus is females with autism, identifying factors that contribute to social competence across development, and interventions to improve social-emotional health.

Dr. Jessica Oeth Schuttler is a licensed psychologist and clinical assistant professor also at the CCHD. She is the associate director for the Girls Night Out Program and key collaborator on related research projects, community partnership, and training efforts to create more inclusive communities.

Part 1: Introduction to Girls Night Out

Part 2: Sex Differences in ASD: Highlights and Implications

Part 3: What Makes GNO Unique?

Part 4: GNO Session Model

Part 5: Promoting Independence in Self-Care Skills

Part 6: Program Outcomes

Part 7: Q&A

 

  1. Could the girls set the agenda for activities they want to do? (00:00-00:40)
  2. Do you have any programs for people over 30? (00:40-01:40)
  3. What does the cost look like for participants and organizers in your program? Does it qualify for funding? (01:41-04:22)

The Experience of Women with ASD – A Panel Presentation by Women with ASD

Filmed at ACT’s 14th Annual Focus on Research Conference – April 4, 2018

This panel was considered a highlight of our 2018 conference. This is your opportunity to learn from the fascinating insights provided by these four remarkable autistic women. Introduced and moderated by Dr. Rene Jamison, University of Kansas Medical Center.

 

About the Panelists

Ryann Calkins is in the process of finishing her degree at UBC Okanagan studying languages. She grew up on a cattle ranch in central Alberta, moving to BC in her mid-teens. She has worked as a lifeguard and swimming instructor for six years.

Iris Gray was diagnosed with ASD in 2005. She organizes two peer support groups for autistic adults in Victoria. One of them is specifically for autistic women. Ms Gray works as a freelance transcriber and editor.

Vivian Ly is an autistic self-advocate and the Executive Director of Autistics United Canada (formerly Canadian Autistics United), a grassroots disability rights organization that “works to improve the lives of autistic people in what is colonially known as Canada through self-advocacy”. Vivian is currently a Behavioural Neuroscience student at SFU and a strong proponent of “Nothing about us, without us!””

Nicole Provost is a 23 year old physics student from Abbotsford, BC and is the founder of the ‘Mayday Club Youth Choir’ – most members are teens on the autism spectrum. In addition, Nicole tutors students in pre-calculus, teaches competitive tap dancing and does voice acting. After graduating university, Nicole hopes to attend medical school, and become a paediatric oncologist.

Part 1: Introduction by Dr. Rene Jamison

Part 2: Iris Gray

Part 3: Nicole Provost

Part 4: Vivian Ly

Part 5: Ryann Calkins

Part 6: Question & Answer period

  • Q1:  Can you share stories or strategies about how to find young autistic girls find autistic pride? (00:00 –  05:40)
  • Q2: You’ve all been through the public school system. If you had one thing to say to teachers or the people who have taught you, what would that be? What’s the one thing that they could do to make it better for you? (05:40 –  10:23)
  • Q3: What do you consider respectful and ethical research practice? (10:23 – 14:22)
  • Q4: How do you deal with ableism? (14:22 – 16:20)
  • Q5: How do you feel you would have done in an alternative environment like home-schooling or schools that matched your learning style? Do you have advice for parents making decisions about where to send their children? (16:20 – 21:05)
  • Q6: Are any of the panelists in relationships with autistic folks, and if so, how do you balance your needs with the needs of your partner? (21:05 – 23:49)
    Mentions realsocialskills.org

 

Practical Strategies for Supporting Mental Wellness of Teenage Girls and Women with ASD

Filmed April 2017 – edited into 3 parts; total 22 minutes
Presented by Dori Zener, MSW, RSW

Girls and women with autism are often hard to identify due to their polished rote social skills and internalized ASD characteristics. As a therapist in private practice in Toronto, Dori Zener sees many women and teens that experience mental health issues due to late identification of ASD. Often, life challenges such as the increasing complexity of social, academic or work demands chip away at coping skills until ASD becomes more evident.

This presentation discusses clinical techniques to help support girls and women on the spectrum. Case examples are used to highlight the mental health challenges experienced by this population. Clinical strategies are shared on how to equip girls and women with the tools and confidence to face the everyday bombardment of the sensory social world and how they can protect themselves from autistic burnout. Wellness includes developing distress tolerance strategies, learning how to identify, express and regulate emotion, and developing realistic parameters on time and energy. Through supportive, empathetic counseling, many clients feel validated and understood for the first time and can move toward self-acceptance, self-compassion and self-love. This presentation will teach the audience how to adapt clinical practice to address the needs of females on the spectrum.

Learning Objectives
  • Recognize the unique profile of ASD in girls and women.
  • Employ specific counseling techniques that assist adults and teens with autism to thrive.
  • Recognize and appreciate the gifts, strengths and abilities of females on the spectrum.
Dori Zener, MSW, RSW

Dori Zener, MSW, RSW, is an Individual, Couple and Family Therapist in Toronto. She has been working with individuals affected by ASD and learning differences for over a decade, with a particular interest in girls and women. She hosts “Asperfemme,” a free support group for women on the spectrum.

 

Part 1: Validation and acceptance, Understanding their ASD

Part 2: Making sense of experiences, Setting parameters

Part 3: Meltdowns, Emotional regulation, Building a support network, Celebrating growth

Understanding the Needs of Girls and Women on the Autism Spectrum

Filmed at ACT’s 14th Annual Focus on Research Conference – April 4, 2018

This presentation was preceded by Improving the Recognition of Women and Girls on the Autism Spectrum. 

In this talk, Dr. Mandy provides a developmental perspective on the characteristics of autism in females; an in depth look into the implications of the widespread practice by women and girls of “social camouflaging” their autism; their mental health needs – with a focus on eating disorders. The presentation ends with a discussion how women and girls can be better supported, including a  question and answer period.

William Mandy, PhD, DClinPsy

Dr. William Mandy is a clinical psychologist and senior lecturer at University College London, UK. Dr. Mandy’s research aims to improve the recognition of autism, and to develop new interventions to help autistic people. A particular research interest is improving the identification and care of females on the autism spectrum, who are currently at high risk of going unnoticed and under served by clinical and educational services.

Please note that Part 1 and 2 have been edited to protect the identity of the interviewed youth – voice audio has been removed and captions have been inserted.

Part 1: A Developmental Perspective

Part 2: Camouflaging Revisited

  • Why do autistic people camouflage?
  • Is camouflaging friend or foe?

Part 3: Mental Health Needs of Autistic Girls and Women – Anorexia nervosa and restrictive eating

Part 4: What Next? How we can better support girls and women on the autism spectrum

  • What is the percentage of women with ASD who also have an eating disorder?
  • Is there research on whether early diagnosis and intervention reduces the risk of eating disorders?
  • Is mimicry a form of self-regulation or to reduce anxiety?
  • Questions and discussion on camouflaging

Improving the Recognition of Women and Girls on the Autism Spectrum

Filmed at ACT’s 14th Annual Focus on Research Conference – April 4, 2018

This presentation is followed by Understanding the Needs of Girls and Women on the Autism Spectrum.

In this thought provoking presentation, Dr. William Mandy shares his research into the characteristics of autism in females, the implications for diagnosis, and ways of improving recognition, with a focus on practical ways of improving clinical and educational practice. This presentation is deeply informed by Dr. Mandy’s clinical experience, as well as his research, he offers a compassionate perspective on the barriers faced by women and girls when they are not offered the self-awareness and family understanding that can accompanies a diagnosis. Also covered are myths about autism; new research into gender ratios and the impact of “camouflaging” on diagnosis of women and girls.

William Mandy, PhD, DClinPsy

Dr. William Mandy is a clinical psychologist and senior lecturer at University College London, UK. Dr. Mandy’s research aims to improve the recognition of autism, and to develop new interventions to help autistic people. A particular research interest is improving the identification and care of females on the autism spectrum, who are currently at high risk of going unnoticed and under served by clinical and educational services.

Part 1: A (very brief) introduction to autism

Part 2: Myths About Autism

Common myths:
  • Autism is rare
  • Most people with autism have a learning disability (IQ under 70)
  • Autism is just about having difficulties
  • Autism is a categorical disorder

Part 3: What is the Gender Ratio in Autism?

Is there a diagnostic bias against females?

Part 4: The Female Autism Phenotype

Part 5: Camouflaging

Part 6: Autism: The New Consensus & The Impact on Diagnosis

Girls and Women with Eating Disorders – Why are ASD and ADHD Missed?

Filmed April 2017 – edited into 3 parts; total 32 minutes
Christopher Gillberg, MD, PhD

Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden

Director, Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Gothenburg

Presentation Description

The onset of eating disorders, which tend to affect girls and women rather than boys and men, usually begins in puberty or early adult life, but in many cases it has been preceded by early onset neurodevelopmental problems, including ASD and ADHD (ASD in anorexia nervosa, ADHD in bulimia nervosa). The neurodevelopmental difficulties have usually not been properly diagnosed before the appearance of the eating disorder; the slightly different clinical presentation in females and the general public/professional perceptions of ASD and ADHD contribute to this state of affairs.

Professor Gillberg is a world renowned autism researcher who has developed the concept of ESSENCE (Early Symptomatic Syndromes Eliciting Neurodevelopmental Clinical Examinations), recognizing the overlapping symptoms of ASD, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder/Conduct Disorder (ODD/CD), anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders, intellectual developmental disorder, communication disorders, dyslexia, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and others.

This presentation was preceded by Dr. Gillberg’s lecture, also available at Autism Videos @ ACT: ESSENCE* – Early Recognition of ASD and Associated Disorders Can Lead to Better Outcomes

Also available is  Practical Strategies for Supporting Mental Wellness of Teenage Girls and Women with ASD,  a presentation by Dori Zener, MSW, RSW.

These presentations were recorded in 2017 at ACT’s 13th Annual Focus on Research Conference, held at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia. ACT appreciates Dr. Gillberg’s generosity in allowing us to include it in Autism Videos @ ACT.

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Learning Objectives
  • Recognize symptoms of ASD and ADHD in eating disorders.
  • Understand how ASD and ADHD contribute to the eating disorder.
  • Analyze how, in the individual case, ASD and/or ADHD should best be diagnosed and intervened for and how this will affect outcome in the longer term.
Christopher Gillberg, MD, PhD

Christopher Gillberg is Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden where he heads the Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre. He is also Visiting or Honorary Professor at the Universities of London, University College London (Institute of Child Health), University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh, and Kochi University, Japan (where he is involved with the Japan Environment Cohort Study/JECS). Christopher Gillberg is considered the most productive autism researcher in the world, and is on Thomson Reuters 2014 list of the world´s most influential researchers (all fields) because of the number  of citations of the many peer-reviewed scientific papers he has published (600) relevant to children´s and adolescents’ mental and neurological health. His research interests included ASD, ADHD, Tourette syndrome, intellectual disability, epilepsy, behavioural phenotype syndromes, depression, reactive attachment disorder and anorexia nervosa. His research ranges from genetics and basic neuroscience through epidemiology and clinical phenomenology to treatments/interventions and outcome. He has written 31 books, which have been published in more than a dozen languages, several of which are standard textbooks in the field of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Autism. He is an honorary member of the Swedish National Autism Society and ADHD Society (“Attention”), and a member of the Norwegian Academy of Sciences.

Visit Dr. Gillberg’s blog. Christopher Gillberg and his team of experts offer their opinions each week on the latest happenings in the world of neuropsychiatry and mental health (ESSENCE).

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Autism in Anorexia Nervosa and Eating Disorders

Part 3: Why are Females with Autism missed?

How should we plan for best recognition and intervention in autism and other ESSENCE in females?

Topics covered: