About the Presenter
Jess Hendrickx is a diagnostician, trainer, mentor, author, and owner of Hendrickx Associates. Holding a Postgraduate Certificate in Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Jess specializes in non-clinical autism and ADHD assessments, mentoring, and professional training. Drawing on both her professional expertise and lived experience of autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, she supports individuals exploring their neurodivergent identity while helping organizations develop a deeper understanding of autism and ADHD. She also works as a diagnostician with Axia-ASD.
Jess is the co-author of Could I Really Be Autistic? and contributed a chapter on autism and eating to the second edition of Women & Girls on the Autism Spectrum. She has assessed and mentored several hundred neurodivergent individuals and has delivered training and presentations for NHS trusts, autism organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, and conferences throughout the UK and internationally. Her presentations explore topics including women and girls on the autism spectrum, different autistic profiles, employment, and the lived experience of neurodivergence.Jess is passionate about providing informed, practical, and compassionate support that empowers neurodivergent people to better understand themselves and navigate life in ways that honour their individual strengths and experiences. Through her work, she is committed to increasing awareness, improving understanding, and making autismand ADHD assessment and support more accessible.
Refund/Cancellation Policy
An administrative fee of $50 will be charged for all cancellations. Cancellation 14 or more days prior to the workshop date – receive a refund, less $50 administration fee. Cancellation less than 14 days prior to the workshop date – receive a credit, less $50 administration fee, to be applied to a future workshop. No credit or refund will be issued if you do not notify us in advance of the workshop date. You may transfer your registration to another individual at no extra cost. In this case, please notify Mission: Empowerment of the name of the alternate person. The organizers reserve the right to cancel the event due to instructor illness, extreme weather, under-enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a workshop is cancelled, any registration payment will be returned in full. Liability is limited to a refund of workshop/live-stream fees only.
Refunds will not be issued in cases where a registrant did not receive the workshop login instruction email due to email issues. It is the registrant’s responsibility to contact us if they don’t receive the required login information at least 24 hours prior to the start time of the workshop.
For more information about Jess Hendrickx and her work, visit www.hendrickxautism.com
Workshop Description
Many adults spend decades believing they are "too sensitive," "too much," "lazy," "socially awkward," or "anxious," never realizing that autism, ADHD, or co-occurring AuDHD may underlie many of their lifelong experiences. As awareness of neurodivergence continues to grow, increasing numbers of adults are bringing questions about possible autism and ADHD into the therapy room. At the same time, many helping professionals are recognizing that highly masked presentations - particularly among women and others whose characteristics have historically been overlooked - can be easily mistaken for anxiety, depression, trauma, personality disorders, or other mental health concerns. Developing the ability to recognize these patterns can significantly enhance assessment, case conceptualization, therapeutic understanding, and referral decisions.
This practical, evidence-informed workshop will help clinicians develop a confident screening lens for identifying possible neurodivergence in adult clients. Focusing on autism, ADHD, and co-occurring AuDHD, participants will learn to recognize both classic and less obvious presentations, including the many ways neurodivergence may be masked across the lifespan.
Drawing on current DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria, NHS guidance, contemporary research, and extensive assessment experience, this workshop explores characteristic patterns, clusters of traits, common masking strategies, and the complex overlap between neurodivergence, trauma, and other mental health presentations. Participants will gain greater confidence in recognizing when neurodivergence may warrant further exploration, discussing these observations with clients in a sensitive and neurodiversity-affirming manner, and making appropriate referrals for comprehensive diagnostic assessment when indicated.
While this workshop does not provide training in formal diagnosis, it will equip participants with practical knowledge to recognize possible neurodivergence, offer neurodiversity-affirming psychoeducation, and support clients in accessing appropriate assessment, accommodations, and services.
You will learn:
- How autism, ADHD, and AuDHD commonly present in adults—including both stereotypical and less-recognized presentations.
- How masking can influence the presentation of neurodivergence, particularly among women and other highly masked individuals.
- How to recognize common clusters of traits that may suggest further exploration of neurodivergence.
- How neurodivergence can overlap with trauma and other mental health presentations, and why this matters clinically.
- How to incorporate an informed, ethical screening lens into clinical practice while understanding the boundaries between screening and formal diagnosis.When and how to discuss possible neurodivergence with clients and make appropriate referrals for comprehensive diagnostic assessment.
You will receive:
- Login details and instructions emailed in advance of the workshop
- Downloadable handouts
- Certificate of attendance upon successful completion of a brief online quiz (if desired)
- Access to a recording of the workshop for a limited period of time after the workshop - so if you can’t join live, or need to miss part of the live workshop and want to view it afterwards, we’ve got you covered!
Can’t attend live? Register anyway to get 60-day access to the workshop recordings and materials after the course.
Recognizing Neurodivergence in Adults:
Screening for Autism, ADHD & AuDHD Beyond the Stereotypes
ONLINE LIVE STREAM EVENT
October 15, 2026 12:00 pm - 3:15 pm
Certificates of Attendance / CEU's / CE Information
For those requiring a Certificate of Attendance, certificates will be issued upon either:
1. Verification of 100% attendance during the live broadcast OR
2. Successful completion of a post-training quiz with a minimum score of 75% (multiple attempts allowed)*
*This option is for those who do not attend the full workshop “live”.
Certificates will indicate the number of direct education hours (3), not including breaks. Certificates may be used to qualify for eligibility for Continuing Education Credits from licensing boards and professional colleges; it is the participant’s responsibility to contact their college or association to confirm its requirements and the workshop's eligibility for CEU's / CE’s.
Instructor: Jess Hendrickx
Location: Online Live Stream Event
Early Bird Cost: $125 CAD + GST/HST (if applicable) by Sept. 14, 2026
Regular Cost: $149 CAD + GST/HST (if applicable) after Sept. 14, 2026
**All prices are in CAD$. American Patrons - your dollar goes further! $1 CAD = $0.72 USD (as of August 7, 2026 - check online for current exchange rate)
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: October 13, 2026 at 12pm ET
* For information about Group Rates and Discounts click here.
© Copyright 2026 Mission: Empowerment! All Rights Reserved.