Recognizing Autism in Substance Use Treatment: A Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach - June 11, 2026
Includes a Live In-Person Event on 06/11/2026 at 8:30 AM (EDT)
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- Learners - $35
A 3-Hour Training with Stacy Esposito, LMHC, ACDCS
8:30am-11:45am
130 Pembroke Road, Suite 150, Concord, NH 03301
Presentation: Autism is frequently under-recognized in behavioral health and addiction treatment settings. Many autistic individuals, particularly women, gender-diverse individuals, people of color, and those who mask their differences, enter substance use treatment without an accurate diagnosis. Years of social exhaustion, sensory overload, trauma exposure, and chronic stress can contribute to substance use as a coping strategy. This training explores how autism presents across diverse populations and how autistic traits may be overlooked or misinterpreted within substance use treatment. Participants will gain an evidence-informed understanding of autism as a neurodevelopmental difference, including sensory processing differences, communication styles, executive functioning challenges, monotropism, and the impact of masking and environmental mismatch.
The curriculum also reviews common co-occurring conditions including anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, eating disorders, and suicidality, and how these concerns may obscure the identification of underlying neurodivergence. Grounded in neurodiversity-affirming practice, this training helps providers create environments that support dignity, autonomy, and accessibility while improving clinical outcomes.
As a result of this training, participants will be able to:
- Identify possible autism presentations in intake and assessment and differentiate;
- Develop understanding in distinguishing autistic traits from trauma responses or personality pathology;
- Adapt communication and group treatment expectations;
- Support regulation and coping without reliance on substances; and
- Utilize engagement, retention, and relapse prevention planning.
3 Contact Hours Available
CRSW Performance Domains: 1 & 4
LADC/MLADC Categories of Competence: 2-3, 5-7, 15 & 18
Certified Prevention Specialist Domains: 2 & 6
NBCC: LICSW/L-MFT/LCMHC (Category A) & Psychologist (Category A)
NH Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Association has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider. ACEP No 6754. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. NHADACA is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.
This course has been approved by New Hampshire Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Association (NHADACA), as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #23792, NHADACA is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
This training is financed under a contract with the State of NH, Department of Health and Human Services, with funds provided in part by the State of NH and/or such funding sources as were available or required, e.g., the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
Stacy Esposito, LMHC, ACDCS
Founder and Clinical Director
Healing Roots Holistic Mental Health
Stacy Esposito, LMHC, ACDCS, is the founder and clinical director of Healing Roots Holistic Mental Health, a group practice dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-informed care across the lifespan. She holds two master’s degrees, one in Mental Health Counseling and one in Research Psychology, and provides therapy, clinical supervision, and comprehensive evaluations. Her work emphasizes neurodiversity-affirming care, autism identification across the lifespan, and supporting individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns. Stacy is LGBTQ+ informed and trauma-informed in her approach, and her clinical framework is grounded in polyvagal theory and Internal Family Systems (IFS), helping clients and providers understand nervous system regulation, parts work, and pathways toward healing. She trains clinicians and organizations on recognizing neurodivergence in behavioral health and recovery settings and on creating environments that improve engagement, accessibility, and clinical outcomes.
As an AuDHD clinician and parent to neurodivergent children, Stacy’s professional work is deeply informed by both lived and clinical experience. Recognizing neurodivergence within her own family, deepening her understanding of neurodevelopmental differences, and identifying often-missed presentations in her clients have been transformative in her practice. She brings a nuanced understanding of how sensory overwhelm, trauma exposure, chronic stress, social exclusion, and burnout can contribute to substance use as a coping strategy, and how neurodivergence may be misinterpreted within addiction treatment. This lens supports more accurate clinical conceptualization and more effective, affirming care. Stacy is passionate about helping providers recognize and support neurodivergent individuals in ways that foster dignity, autonomy, recovery, and authentic functioning.