Wired to Shine: Supporting our neurodivergent ākonga through a polyvagal lens

In this one day workshop, we will unpack how we can practically support neurodivergent tamariki & rangatahi from a nervous system lens, sensory approach and knowledge about gut health.

This workshop will cover the science behind polyvagal theory and teachers will be given practical strategies on how you can implement neurodiversity affirming practice within your classroom settings. 

About the presenters: 

Andrea Greer is the owner & founder of Nurturing Relationships. She is an award winning Social Worker for innovative practice (2023) and excellence in research (2018). She has a masters in social work with distinction, endorsed in mental health Practice. She is also a certified Synergetic Play Therapist and currently training in EMDR, an evidence-based trauma therapy.

Andrea has worked with neurodivergent children & youth for over 17 years and is passionate about using creative & strengths based approaches to support them to thrive. She has delivered over 100 workshops to schools within NZ since 2016 and the feedback has been extremely positive. Andrea also has lived experience with neurodiversity within her whānau. Andrea & her husband have two children and they live in rural Southland

Toni Pakula is a Registered Health and Nutrition Coach, Certified Safe and Sound Protocol Practitioner, and Trauma-Informed Mental Health Coach. Toni specialises in supporting individuals, including Educators, Whanau, Ākonga, and Tamariki, dealing with Selective Mutism.

Her journey into health and wellness is rooted in her whanau’s experiences with Neurodivergence, Anxiety, and Selective Mutism. Her experiences have instilled in her a profound belief in the transformative power of an integrated, holistic approach to well-being.Years of research have provided her with insights into the intricacies of the nervous system and mental health, particularly gut health.

Toni & her husband reside in the Waikato with their three children.