Neurodiversity and Conflict:
A Practitioner Day
- Wednesday 9 September 2026
- National Wine Centre, Adelaide
A half-day training and afternoon working group for mediators, family dispute resolution practitioners, lawyers, coaches, HR professionals and anyone who works with people in conflict.
About the Day
Standard conflict resolution processes were designed with neurotypical participants in mind. For neurodivergent clients (and there are more of them in our rooms than most of us realise) the assumptions built into those processes can create real barriers to participation, fair process, and durable outcomes.
This day brings together two practitioners working at the intersection of conflict resolution and neurodiversity to offer both a solid theoretical foundation and a practical, collaborative working session.
Who is this day for?
- Mediators
- Family report writers
- Conflict coaches
- Family dispute resolution practitioners
- Lawyers
- Counsellors
- Child contact service staff
- HR professionals
- Anyone who works with people in conflict
No prior training in neurodiversity is required for the morning session.
Schedule
A structured day combining formal training with collaborative practice
- 9:00am — 12:30pm
Morning Training Session
The morning session covers the knowledge and frameworks practitioners need to work inclusively with neurodivergent clients. Topics include:
- 12:30pm — 1:30pm
Lunch Break
Lunch provided for morning training participants. Afternoon working group participants are welcome to join.
- 1:30pm — 4:30pm
Afternoon Working Group
Free, open collaborative session for practitioners. Structured discussion and co-development space working through case examples, reflecting on practice, and developing shared resources. Not a lecture — a participatory working session. Open to all, no morning training required.
Morning Training Topics
The morning session covers the knowledge and frameworks practitioners need to work inclusively with neurodivergent clients.
The Neurodiversity Paradigm
Understanding neurodiversity and what it means for conflict practice — moving beyond stereotypes and deficit-model thinking
Neurotypical Assumptions in Conflict Processes
How neurotypical assumptions are embedded in standard conflict processes, and what that means for your clients
Neurodivergent Experiences in Conflict
Neurodivergent experiences of emotion, dysregulation and trauma in conflict contexts
Observation vs Interpretation
The distinction between observation and interpretation — and why it matters for documentation and decision-making
Practical Neuroinclusive Approaches
Practical, flexible approaches that work for everyone, not just those who disclose
Afternoon Working Group
A free, open collaborative session for practitioners who want to go further. This is not a lecture — it is a structured discussion and co-development space.
- Case examples from mediation and family dispute resolution contexts
- Reflective practice discussions
- Co-development of shared resources for neuroinclusive conflict resolution
- Collaborative problem-solving and peer learning
You do not need to attend the morning training to join the afternoon.
Your Facilitators
Two practitioners bringing deep expertise and lived experience to neuroinclusive conflict resolution.
Dr Samantha Hardy
Founder, The Conflict Management Academy
Dr Samantha Hardy is the founder of The Conflict Management Academy and has over 30 years of experience in conflict resolution as a neurodivergent mediator, trainer, researcher and course developer. She holds a PhD and has taught dispute resolution at universities across Australia and internationally. Samantha was the 2021 Resolution Institute Award recipient for Service to Dispute Resolution and 2022 Conflict Coach of the Year at the Australian Dispute Resolution Awards. She is currently developing a professional course on working with neurodivergent clients in conflict.
Katrin Heimann
Interdisciplinary Scholar & Certified Conflict Counsellor
Katrin Heimann is an interdisciplinary scholar with training in philosophy and cognitive neuroscience, and a certified conflict counsellor based in Denmark. Her work sits at the intersection of trauma-informed practice, neuroinclusive conflict engagement, and transformative learning. As a researcher she brings both quantitative and qualitative methods to her work, with a particular specialisation in micro-phenomenological approaches and participatory research design. Katrin currently works in higher education, where she investigates and co-designs neuroinclusive teaching and working spaces with an intersectional lens. As an ADHDer herself, she brings lived experience as well as professional expertise to her focus on neurodiversity-affirming practice. She and Samantha are currently collaborating on a project to develop resources for neuroinclusive conflict resolution.
Pricing
Accessible pricing with early bird discount available
Morning Training (Early Bird)
before 30 June 2026
$100
+ GST
- Full morning training session (9am-12:30pm)
- Morning tea included
- Lunch included (12:30-1:30pm)
- Training materials and resources
- Certificate of attendance
Morning Training (Standard)
after 1 July 2026
$150
+ GST
- Full morning training session (9am-12:30pm)
- Morning tea included
- Lunch included (12:30-1:30pm)
- Training materials and resources
- Certificate of attendance
Afternoon Working Group
FREE
- Collaborative working session (1:30-4:30pm)
- Lunch included (12:30-1:30pm)
- Afternoon tea included
- Access to case examples and resources
- No morning training required
- Open to all practitioners
Ready to Register?
Join us for this unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of neuroinclusive conflict resolution practice.
Event Details
- Date
Wednesday 9 September 2026
- Location
Ferguson Room, National Wine Centre
Cnr Hackney and Botanic Roads, Adelaide SA 5000
- Contact
For registration and enquiries, please contact the event organisers.
Early bird pricing available until 30 June 2026. Afternoon working group is free for all participants.