I. Introduction and Organizational Goals
The American College of Neurodiversity Practitioners (ACNP) is being established as a program of Crosspoint Health, a nonprofit organization, and is led by Dr. Michael Moates as part of his 2025–2026 appointment as a Fellow with the Institute for Social Innovation (ISI) at Fielding Graduate University. The ISI Fellowship supports research, professional development, and consulting projects that build human capital and promote sustainable change. Dr. Moates’ fellowship project includes the design, launch, and evaluation of a professional certification system that affirms the rights, identities, and lived experiences of neurodivergent individuals. ACNP’s primary purpose is to credential individuals working across caregiving, education, public safety, and advocacy sectors who serve neurodivergent populations. The program is rooted in a neurodiversity-affirming philosophy, which holds that neurological differences are a natural part of human diversity and that services and supports should be based on autonomy, dignity, and systemic equity. These principles guide every aspect of ACNP’s development, from certification design to instructional delivery. The long-term goal is to embed neurodiversity-affirming standards within professional fields and to support systemic transformation through credentialed leadership. ACNP also seeks to elevate neurodivergent voices in shaping public policy, professional practice, and community norms.
II. Governance Structure and Administrative Integration
ACNP will operate as an internal program under Crosspoint Health, with financial, legal, and administrative responsibilities managed centrally by the parent organization. This integration will ensure compliance with nonprofit regulatory frameworks and will facilitate fiscal accountability across ACNP operations.
Crosspoint Health’s executive leadership will maintain strategic oversight of ACNP, with Dr. Moates responsible for managing day-to-day operations as a part of his fellowship. Moates will coordinate cross-functional activities, report outcomes to the Crosspoint Board of Directors, and ensure fidelity to the program’s mission.
A dedicated advisory council will be established to guide the strategic and ethical development of ACNP. The council will include diverse professionals with expertise in education, mental health, emergency services, advocacy, and lived experience with neurodivergence. This group will meet quarterly to review initiatives and provide governance support.
Subcommittees will be formed to oversee specific aspects of ACNP’s operations, such as curriculum design, ethics oversight, and certification assessment. These subcommittees will be delegated authority by Crosspoint Health and will include representation from both neurodivergent and non-neurodivergent professionals.
A strategic planning process will be launched with neurodivergent stakeholders to refine ACNP’s mission, vision, and values. This process will ensure alignment with the community’s evolving needs and will shape the cultural foundation of all ACNP activities.
III. Certification Naming and Scope
ACNP will develop four distinct certifications: Certified Neurodiversity Advocate (CNA), Certified Neurodiversity Scholar-Practitioner (CNSP), Certified Neurodivergent First Responder (CNFR), and Fellow of the American College of Neurodiversity Practitioners (FACNP). Each certification is designed to meet the needs of a specific audience while maintaining consistency with the college’s ethical and philosophical commitments.
CNA will focus on equipping non-clinical supporters such as caregivers, advocates, and community mentors with foundational skills and advocacy knowledge. CNSP will serve educators, academic professionals, and those working in instructional design or neurodiversity research. CNFR will provide public safety professionals with tools to support neurodivergent individuals in emergency contexts. FACNP will recognize distinguished professionals who demonstrate excellence and leadership in systems reform.
Each certification will be developed in consultation with subject matter experts to ensure accuracy, cultural relevance, and practical application. Learning objectives will be tied to real-world scenarios encountered by the credentialed population.
Core content will address key themes including identity-affirming support, disability rights, trauma-informed engagement, and intersectional equity. These elements will be adapted for each certification’s audience and scope.
The certification framework will allow ACNP to expand its reach over time, adding future credentials in response to emerging community and professional needs.
IV. Subject Matter Expert (SME) Consultation Process
ACNP will recruit a diverse cohort of subject matter experts (SMEs) to co-design the content and structure of each certification program. Recruitment will target professionals and advocates with lived, academic, or field-based expertise in neurodiversity, disability justice, education, emergency response, public policy, or clinical care. Special emphasis will be placed on including neurodivergent voices across all certification areas.
A standardized application process will be launched through ACNP’s website and partner networks. Applicants will submit a résumé, a brief statement of interest, and their preferred certification area(s) for involvement. The application will also ask whether applicants self-identify as neurodivergent and if they have any lived experience relevant to the target certification populations.
Once selected, SMEs will be grouped into working groups aligned with each credential—CNA, CNSP, CNFR, and FACNP. Each group will be facilitated by a project lead and will be responsible for shaping the certification’s learning domains, ethical expectations, eligibility standards, and core assessment strategies. Meetings will occur virtually on a biweekly or monthly basis, depending on phase and complexity.
The consultation process will be conducted in five structured phases: (1) orientation and onboarding to ACNP’s mission and values, (2) discovery sessions to share professional challenges and opportunities within each sector, (3) collaborative drafting of certification content and ethical guidelines, (4) review and refinement of proposed materials, and (5) final validation and sign-off before piloting.
SMEs will be publicly acknowledged as co-creators of the certification framework, with opportunities for continued involvement in curriculum delivery, advisory roles, or instructional facilitation. All contributions will be reviewed through an equity lens to ensure cultural responsiveness, trauma awareness, and respect for diverse neurotypes and identities.
V. Curriculum Design and Delivery Framework
ACNP will adopt a flexible, modular approach to curriculum development that integrates synchronous and asynchronous content. The curriculum will be hosted on a secure learning management system (LMS) with features for video-based learning, self-paced modules, discussion forums, and embedded assessments. Accessibility features such as captioning, screen reader compatibility, and alt text will be standard.
All instructional content will align with adult learning theory, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and principles of culturally responsive pedagogy. Core modules will include foundational knowledge, applied case scenarios, interactive reflection, and skill-building assignments.
Each certification will follow a structured course sequence composed of learning units tied to defined outcomes. CNA and CNFR will launch with approximately 20–30 hours of content each, while CNSP and FACNP will feature more advanced, research-driven materials, potentially totaling 40–60 instructional hours.
In addition to written content, course materials will include real-world case studies, video interviews, role-play demonstrations, policy brief reviews, and downloadable advocacy tools. Learners will be required to demonstrate integration of material through short essays, practice exercises, and project-based submissions.
Each course will conclude with a formal assessment consisting of a portfolio, written exam, or simulation exercise. Candidates must meet a defined standard of competency to receive their certification. Feedback from pilot participants and SMEs will be integrated into course revisions before full launch.
In addition to ACNP-developed courses, learners will have the option to complete their required coursework through outside training providers, pending formal approval by ACNP. This approach ensures flexibility and choice, allowing candidates to select educational options that align with their learning preferences, professional contexts, and scheduling needs. Approved external providers must demonstrate alignment with ACNP’s core principles, neurodiversity-affirming practice, trauma-informed pedagogy, and inclusive access. Providers will undergo a review process to ensure instructional integrity, ethical content, and appropriate learning outcomes. Feedback from pilot participants and SMEs will be integrated into course revisions before full launch.
VI. Ethics and Oversight
ACNP will establish a comprehensive Code of Ethical Practice that applies to all certification holders, instructors, and organizational partners. This code will articulate core principles of autonomy, respect, non-coercion, confidentiality, and cultural humility. It will be grounded in neurodiversity-affirming values and will serve as a living document reviewed annually by an ethics advisory subcommittee.
An Ethics Committee will be formed to oversee the implementation and enforcement of the code. This committee will include at least one neurodivergent member, one credentialed professional in a relevant field (such as education or mental health), and one advisor with legal or regulatory expertise. Members will serve rotating terms to promote transparency and fairness.
A structured process for submitting and reviewing ethical complaints will be developed, including anonymous reporting options. Complaints will be triaged into categories such as professional misconduct, boundary violations, or breach of confidentiality. The Ethics Committee will have the authority to investigate, hold hearings, and issue findings.
Depending on the outcome of a review, the committee may impose actions such as written warnings, mandatory retraining, supervised practice, suspension, or revocation of credentials. These sanctions will be clearly defined in the ethics policy and proportionate to the severity of the issue.
To promote accountability, ACNP will maintain a public-facing ethics record where disciplinary actions are listed (as appropriate), including reinstatement decisions. A restorative justice approach will be prioritized, with an emphasis on reparation and education rather than punishment.
VII. Certification Structure and Assessment Design
Each ACNP credential will have a clearly defined structure that includes eligibility requirements, training expectations, assessment methods, and renewal procedures. This structure will ensure clarity, consistency, and transparency for both applicants and stakeholders.
Eligibility criteria will vary by credential but may include professional experience, academic background, licensure, or lived experience. Clear documentation and narrative justification will be accepted as evidence, especially in support of applicants with non-traditional pathways.
Learning domains will be developed for each certification through consultation with SMEs and community stakeholders. Domains may include disability rights, cultural humility, trauma-informed practice, advocacy strategy, or systems navigation. Each domain will have associated competencies and outcomes.
Assessment methods will be tailored to the learning goals of each certification and may include written examinations, portfolios, practical simulations, or reflective assignments. All assessments will be evaluated using transparent rubrics, and accommodations will be made available.
Certification renewal will occur on a two-or three-year cycle depending on the credential. Renewal requirements may include continuing education hours, submission of a reflective practice update, or completion of an ethics reaffirmation form. The renewal process will be managed through the ACNP portal.
A public directory of certified professionals will be maintained by ACNP and updated in real-time. The directory will include the certification type, year of issuance, current standing, and any relevant ethical notations or status updates.
VIII. Technology and Infrastructure
ACNP will establish a robust and secure digital infrastructure to support all certification activities. This will include a central website, a learner portal, and an integrated learning management system (LMS) that hosts courses, tracks progress, and manages assessments. The platform will ensure ease of access and functionality for all users.
The LMS will provide accessibility features including screen reader compatibility, closed captioning, high-contrast text, and keyboard navigation options. ACNP will consult with neurodivergent advisors to identify and address additional accessibility needs during platform selection and implementation.
All user data will be encrypted and stored securely in compliance with applicable privacy and data protection laws. Users will be provided with clear information about how their data is used, stored, and shared, and they will have the option to opt out of non-essential data tracking.
The certification portal will include modules for application submission, progress tracking, exam scheduling, document uploads, and credential renewal. A help desk feature will provide technical support and resource guides for users experiencing accessibility or technical challenges.
ACNP’s website will serve as a hub for certification information, public education, news updates, events, ethics reporting, and access to a searchable directory of certified professionals. The site will be continuously updated and reviewed to ensure relevance, clarity, and user-friendly navigation.
IX. Strategic Partnerships and Funding
ACNP will pursue partnerships with academic institutions, healthcare systems, public safety agencies, advocacy organizations, and community networks. These partnerships will facilitate access to content experts, pilot participants, and target populations for credentialing.
To ensure financial sustainability, ACNP will apply for grants from foundations, government agencies, and philanthropic donors. These funds will support curriculum development, scholarship programs, platform maintenance, and administrative operations.
A tuition assistance and scholarship program will be developed to reduce financial barriers for individuals from underrepresented communities. Applicants will be able to submit need-based requests during the registration process.
Institutional partnerships will include options for group enrollment, cohort-based training models, and licensing of ACNP curriculum for internal professional development use. These agreements will be customized to fit the needs of school districts, first responder agencies, nonprofits, and care organizations.
ACNP will explore long-term strategies for sustaining growth, including continuing education modules, alumni networks, and professional conferences focused on neurodiversity-affirming practice.
