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Maricopa County Association of Family Mediators 
Invites You to Attend 

ETHICS IN THE TRENCHES 2026
"Bringing Humanity into the Mediation Room"
MAY 15, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
(Doors Open & Check-in 8:30 a.m.)
ASU SKYSONG

1475 N Scottsdale Rd

Bldg 1, 2nd Floor

Scottsdale, AZ 85257
(Free Parking)

Attend In-Person or Via Zoom

Mediating with neurodivergent/neurodiverse adults and working with couples to develop parenting plans for their neurodivergent children can be challenging. 

The term “neurodivergent” describes people whose brain differences affect how their brain works. That means they have different strengths and challenges from people whose brains don’t have those differences. The possible differences include medical disorders, learning disabilities and other conditions. The possible strengths include better memory, being able to mentally picture three-dimensional (3D) objects easily, the ability to solve complex mathematical calculations in their head, and many more. 

Neurodivergent isn’t a medical term. Instead, it’s a way to describe people using words other than “normal” and “abnormal.” That’s important because there’s no single definition of “normal” for how the human brain works. The word for people who aren’t neurodivergent is “neurotypical." That means their strengths and challenges aren't affected by any kind of difference that changes how their brains work. 

The term “neurodivergent” came from the related term “neurodiversity.” Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist, coined the word “neurodiversity” in 1998 to recognize that everyone’s brain develops in a unique way.  Describing a child as neurodivergent acknowledges that they’re “differently abled.” Neurodiversity means it’s natural for both the adult and the child to develop differently and have their own abilities and struggles. 
(https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23154-neurodivergent).

Join us at the full-day workshop to learn more!

MORNING SESSION:  Learn about neurodiversity and how it affects children and adults
AFTERNOON SESSION:  Learn how to apply your knowledge in mediation to help divorcing couples and parents

Moderator for the Day:  Michelle Ogborne, J.D. Speakers/Panelists:

Reina Canuta, LAMFT Judge Bruce Cohen (ret.)

      Marina Doering, LPC-S

      Debora Gama Lima, M.D.

      David Horowitz, J.D.

      Mara Linder, J.D., M.A.

      Heidi Tuffias, J.D., LMFT

Morgan Wilder, LCSW

Six (6) hours continuing education credit (including 3 hours ethics)

COST (In-Person and Virtually):   MCAFM Members - $75 (includes lunch in-person)

Non-Members - $150

College/Graduate/Law Students - $25

  Zoom Link will be sent to registrants in advance of Workshop
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