Autism Reframe
A Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach to Clinical Practice
This comprehensive, clinician-developed training is designed to help mental health professionals build the skills, confidence, and understanding needed to work effectively with autistic clients across the lifespan. Grounded in neurodiversity-affirming principles, the course moves beyond outdated, deficit-based models to recognize autism as a natural and valid expression of human diversity.
Whether you support children, adults, or older adults—or simply want to deepen your neuroaffirming practice—Autism Reframe offers practical guidance, tools based on the latest evidence, and meaningful insights to help you show up with clarity, competence, and care. Through video modules, lived-experience perspectives, and downloadable resources, you’ll learn how to identify subtle presentations, adapt therapy models, and integrate affirming language and frameworks into every aspect of your work.
What you’ll learn:
How to recognize autistic clients, especially those who mask or present subtly (“pink flags”)
The history and impact of the medical model, and how to reframe autism affirmatively
Common co-occurring conditions (e.g., ADHD, ID, OCD) and how they show up in therapy
Autism in women, gender-diverse people, and late-identified adults
How to differentiate between anxiety, burnout, and depression in autistic clients
What affirming therapy looks like, including universal design, adaptations, and modality considerations
Developed & Presented By
Dr. Alex Porthukaran, C. Psych., is a clinical psychologist who received his Ph.D. in Clinical Developmental Psychology from York University. He is registered with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario. He has previously worked at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health as a staff psychologist and held a clinical appointment as assistant professor at the University of Toronto.
He currently works as a supervising psychologist at Flourish Health Services. With Dr. Rose, he is also the co-founder and co-director of Autism Wellness, a clinic dedicated to supporting autistic people across the lifespan. Dr. Porthukaran is activity clinically, conducting assessments and therapy with children, adolescents and adults with a range of presenting issues including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, learning issues, and anger. He is actively involved in research and working with autistic people to co-develop and co-facilitate needed services.
Dr. Porthukaran has taught courses on counselling psychology and infant development at York University, and on autism, intellectual disability, and child development to psychiatry residents at the University of Toronto. He has spoken about autism to diverse audiences including government stakeholders, clinicians from a variety of professions, and at local, national, and international conferences.
Dr. Iris Yusupov Rose, MBA, Ph.D., C. Psych., Dr. Iris Yusupov Rose, MBA, Ph.D., C. Psych. is a Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist, and the Co-Founder and Clinic Director of Autism Wellness, a practice dedicated to providing neurodiversity-affirming autism and ADHD services across the lifespan in Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec, Canada.
Dr. Rose earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology from York University, and holds an MBA and Graduate Diploma in Health Industry Management from the Schulich School of Business, where she now teaches Strategy in Healthcare at the graduate level. She completed her accredited Clinical Neuropsychology Residency at Baycrest and Toronto Western Hospital, with experience in epilepsy, neurodegenerative disease, cognitive rehabilitation, and behavioural consultation.
Her clinical work focuses on late-in-life autism and ADHD diagnosis, autistic burnout, and complex mental health challenges and cognitive changes with age. Dr. Rose also supports neurodivergent couples, helping partners navigate relationships through a strengths-based and affirming lens.
Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Rose provides consultation, education, and training to organizations, universities, and businesses on creating inclusive, neuro-affirming environments. She also serves as a supervisor and mentor to residents and practicum students, fostering the development of evidence-based, compassionate clinicians.
As a proud ADHDer and mom of two, Dr. Rose brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to her work. Her practice is grounded in a deep commitment to healthcare equity, neuro-inclusivity, and the integration of human connection with scientific understanding.
Dr. Marie Hooper, C. Psych. (Supervised Practice), is a Clinical and Developmental Psychologist, educator, and the Founder and Director of Flourish Health Services in Toronto. She completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Developmental Psychology at York University, where she also earned her B.A. and M.A. Dr. Hooper provides comprehensive assessments and therapy for children, teens, and adults, with a focus on neurodiversity-affirming, gender-affirming, and strengths-based care.
As a late-identified autistic and ADHD (AuDHD) clinician, she integrates lived experience with evidence-based practice to support neurodivergent individuals and families.
Dr. Hooper serves on the Board of Directors for PDA North America and is leading the launch of the first neurodiversity-affirming girls’ school in North America.
She is also a Contract Professor at York University’s Glendon Campus, where she is dedicated to training future clinicians in inclusive, affirming approaches to care. Her clinical work and research hold a special interest in “hard-to-spot” presentations of neurodivergence, including high-masking autism, twice-exceptionality, and PDA profiles.