Neurodiversity for Mindfulness Teachers: The Workshop
The Workshop is a 2 x 3-hour live onlinetraining for mindfulness teachers who want to learn the foundations of neuro-affirmative mindfulness teaching. Traditional mindfulness 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.

It is intended to support neurodivergent participants and teachers in exploring mindfulness 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.

For who
This workshop is for qualified teachers, trainees, supervisors, mentors, and retreat facilitators who want to build confidence to adapt their methods, creating an environment that recognises, embraces, and celebrates the unique perspectives of every participant.

This 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.

Suitable for qualified mindfulness teachers, trainee teachers, supervisors, mentors,
and retreat facilitators.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• 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.
• 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.

About the facilitators:

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. connect@rewiretherapy.co.uk

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.
connect@christophspiessens.com
info@manchestermindfulnessfestival.com