Publications & Writings

Emergent Neurodivergent: Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapeutic Education.

by Cathy Hanville, Christine Macinnis and Tiff Lanza

This article is focused on critically examining the clinical training on neurodivergent experiences conducted by non-neurodivergent professionals and the steady slope that could lead to harm being perpetuated by trainers to trainees. We need to make space for prioritizing neurodivergent voices in professional training opportunities while supporting non-neurodivergent professionals in understanding ableism and stigma that can be perpetuated by a lack of lived experience.

Exploring Sexuality and Disability - Chapter 12: “Ready, Willing, and Able: Sexuality Education for Disabled Individuals”

by Autumn Dae Miller and Tiff Lanza

Sexuality education is a vital part of the human experience however, more physically and neurologically diverse individuals have been systematically excluded from comprehensive, developmentally appropriate sexuality education. This disparity leads to numerous struggles and deficiencies such as experiences of higher rates of sexual abuse, lower rates of body-esteem, and a reduced potential for healthy sexual relationships among those with disabilities. Understanding the types of sexuality education facilitators that impact a disabled individual’s life allows us to recognize where misinformation and gaps in comprehension occur.

Ignored Components of Sexuality: The Need for Competent Clinical Practice with Child Survivors of Sexual Abuse

by Tiff Lanza and Mark A. Levand

Do therapist prioritize healing sexuality topics while working with child sexual abuse survivors ages 5 to 16? In a qualitative study, we examine how licensed therapists may or may not be including sexuality topics within healing work with young survivors. Although all participants discussed themes commonly reported in clinical work with survivors, additional themes arose that could impede the provision of sexually-competent treatment for the survivor including: considerations for gender identity and sexual orientation, youth being sexually invisible until puberty, and an inaccurate/narrow use of the term “sexuality.”