Neurodiversity/2e Learning Collaborative:
School-Based Counselors, Psychologists, and Learning Specialists
REEL’s Neurodiversity/2e Collaborative for School-Based Counselors, Psychologists, and Learning Specialists partners with Bay Area school counselors, school psychologists, and learning specialists to create a reflective, responsive, and respectful facilitated community of practice where they can:
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Access targeted support for challenges and opportunities for neurodivergent and twice-exceptional students
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Learn together by tackling real-world scenarios with fellow school-based mental health professionals
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Share best practices and supportive suggestions, through a series of facilitated in-person and virtual meetings as well as an online community
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Reflect on practice and co-create resources to better support neurodiversity and twice-exceptionality in your school community
All in a collegial, professional, and experiential setting.
We’re launching the second year of Collaborative in November and will accept 30 to 40 cohort members in the current 2026-27 school year.
Applications are due November 2.
Start your application to join us here!
“I just really loved how thoughtful the community was, how intentional REEL was about building the space, the diversity of what they offered from parent conversations, speaker conversations, expert conversations, really lifting up community voices. They did a really, really remarkable job of creating intentional spaces and making sure that people were really connected.”
- Collaborative Pilot Program Participant
Key Dates & Meeting Topics
Virtual meetings will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. PT. In-person sessions will be half-day from either 9 to noon to 1 to 4 p.m.
New this year! We’ve shaped meeting topics around the theme “Providing Effective, Compassionate Support to Families of Neurodivergent/2e Learners,” the #1 topic identified by our first year cohort.
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November 19th (virtual) – Kickoff for Collaborative: When Families Aren’t Ready, Talking About Assessment, Difference, and Support
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December 3rd (virtual) - Helping Parents Partner: Neurodiversity-Affirming Methods to Deepen the Family-School Connection
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January 14th (in person - East Bay location) - Friendships, Belonging, and Social Life: Supporting Connection Without Trying to Fix Difference
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January 15th (in person - Peninsula location) - Friendships, Belonging, and Social Life: Supporting Connection Without Trying to Fix Difference
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February 11th (virtual) - Home Supports that Build Independence: Executive Function, Routines, and Self-Advocacy
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March 18th (TBD) - Understanding Neurodiversity Across Cultures: Seeing the Whole Family
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April 22nd (TBD) - From Advocacy to Self-Advocacy: Growing Student Agency Across the Years
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May 13th (virtual) - Supporting Transitions: Preparing Neurodivergent and 2e Students For What Comes Next
Want to learn more? Email collaborative@reel2e.org with questions.
Why Join?
Convenient. With both live, synchronous meet-ups as well as anytime discussion boards and collaboration, the community is accessible 24/7 online on both PC and mobile devices through the Heartbeat platform.
Peer to Peer. Community alleviates isolation; collaborating and connecting with like-minded, growth-focused school counselor, school psychologist, and learning specialist peers is made easy through the facilitated meetings and a private online gathering space.
Participant-Informed. Who knows best what Bay Area school professionals need to grow their practice in supporting complex learners and colleagues? They do! The community is always guided by the interests and needs of the participants. This year’s themes are shaped by our first cohort and will continue to be refined as new needs emerge.
Deeply Engaging. Members “Learn → Do → Reflect” in ways that match their preferences. Open forum discussions, small group focused discussions, resource sharing, collaborative problem solving, case review, outside speakers, and more open many entry points to engage in the process of learning.
Real-World, Results-Oriented, Research-Based. Driven by the day-to-day experiences and challenges members face and facilitated with an eye towards tangible, practical solutions that integrate research-based approaches.
Locally Relevant. Because our members are based in the Bay Area, guidance and expertise reflects local norms, needs, and resources.
“I had specifically two cases where I didn't honestly know what I was going to do, and I talked to different people in the group. I had to come up with counseling goals, and I was out of my depth, because the two cases were complex. They were able to walk me through.” - Collaborative Pilot Program Participant