Neurodiversity for Mindfulness & Compassion Teachers
Learn the foundations of neuro-affirmative mindfulness teaching. This workshop is designed to improve teaching clarity, flexibility, effectiveness, and inclusion, and reduce the risk of causing unintentional harm and re-traumatising.
- Practical framework & didactic teachings
- May 8, 9.00 am - 4.30 pm
- Liezl Laidlaw & Christoph Spiessens
- 149,-
Why this course?
Traditional mindfulness and self-compassion teaching methods might not resonate with or fully support neurodivergent individuals.
The information in this experiential workshop is designed to inspire teachers to adapt some of these methods, creating a learning environment that is inclusive and supportive.
This workshop is intended to support neurodivergent participants and teachers in exploring mindfulness and self-compassion without suppressing their neurodivergent traits or hiding their authentic selves.
This enables neuro-affirming practice, which can make mindfulness more accessible and effective for one’s own neurotype and personhood.
What you'll learn
- Describe key concepts of neurodiversity and recognise how different neurotypes may experience mindfulness practices and learning environments.
- Explain why neuro-affirming practice matters in mindfulness teaching, including how traditional delivery methods may unintentionally exclude or disadvantage neurodivergent participants.
- Identify common apprehensions mindfulness teachers hold around inclusion and reframe these concerns through increased awareness, confidence, and practical understanding.
- Identify your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs, and respond to them wisely
- Apply neuro-affirming adaptations across the lifecycle of a mindfulness course (before, during, and after delivery), using the seen spokes of The Skilful Teaching Wheel (based on the MBI:TAC) as a guiding framework.
- Evaluate how small, thoughtful adaptations can foster more inclusive, supportive mindfulness spaces that recognise and value diverse ways of perceiving, processing, and relating to experience.
What to expect?
This online, interactive workshop is an in-depth exploration of the seven spokes of The Skilful Teaching Wheel, which is based on the domains of the Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Teaching Assessment Criteria (MBI:TAC).
The programme is experiential, with time for didactic teaching, real-world examples, personal reflection, breakout room activities, putting learning into practice, and questions and answers.
All aimed to provide participants with additional ways to adapt their mindfulness teaching and better support neurodivergent participants.
Why self-compassion?
Because it…
- increases life satisfaction
- reduces stress and anxiety
- boosts happiness and vitality
- decreases depressive thoughts
- fosters a more positive state of mind
- supports a stable sense of self-worth
- reduces self-criticism and (body) shame
For who
This workshop suitable for qualified mindfulness and self-compassion teachers, teachers in training, supervisors, mentors, and retreat facilitators.
If you have questions about this workshop please feel free to reach out to us by email.
Practical details
- Online (live, via Zoom)
- May 8, 2026
- 9.00 am - 4.30 pm CET
- 149,-
- Liezl Laidlaw & Christoph Spiessens
Meet your teacher Liezl
Liezl Laidlaw is a BACP-registered CBT Therapist and BAMBA-registered Mindfulness Educator, specialising in Neurodiversity and anxiety. She is the founder of Rewire Therapy, where her expertise integrates clinical practice with her lived experience of ADHD. Liezl develops highly tailored programs, such as the Mindfulness-Based ADHD Living Course (MBAL), which adapt evidence-based techniques to address neurodivergent needs. She guides mindfulness teachers to adopt neuro-inclusive approaches.
Meet your teacher Christoph
Christoph Spiessens is the founder of The Manchester Mindfulness Festival. He holds an MA in Teaching Mindfulness from Bangor University. Christoph is a BAMBA registered teacher, a mindfulness supervisor and mentor, MBI:TAC L1 & L2 trained, and has 20+ years of experience in global Learning & Development. He brings lived experience as a Highly Sensitive Person with trauma-acquired neurodivergence.