A Program of Crosspoint Health | Led by ISI Fellow Dr. Michael Moates, Fielding Graduate University

The American College of Neurodiversity Practitioners (ACNP) is a pioneering initiative dedicated to establishing a national framework for professional certification and continuing education in neurodiversity-affirming practice. As a program of Crosspoint Health, ACNP is uniquely positioned at the intersection of health equity, education, public safety, and systems advocacy. Under the leadership of Dr. Michael Moates, a 2025–2026 Fellow of the Institute for Social Innovation (ISI) at Fielding Graduate University, ACNP is actively developing a comprehensive credentialing system that integrates lived experience, scholarly research, and field-based expertise.

Rooted in principles of disability justice, trauma-informed care, and inclusive practice, ACNP exists to support those who serve neurodivergent individuals across diverse sectors, education, healthcare, criminal justice, family systems, and community organizations. The program was created to fill a critical gap in ethical standards and training across professional roles, recognizing that neurodivergence is too often misunderstood, pathologized, or excluded by systems that were not designed with cognitive diversity in mind.

Rather than offering prescriptive models or compliance-based training, ACNP prepares practitioners to think critically and act compassionately. Our certification programs reflect the core belief that meaningful inclusion requires more than awareness, it requires a commitment to equity, dignity, and transformation. We center neurodivergent leadership in the creation of all program elements, from course design to assessment strategies, ensuring that those most impacted by systemic barriers are empowered to define what ethical and effective support truly means.

Our Mission

ACNP’s mission is to establish a nationally recognized standard of excellence for professionals who work with neurodivergent populations. We aim to empower practitioners and advocates with the training, credentials, and ethical grounding necessary to promote autonomy, accessibility, and authentic inclusion.

We are committed to equipping individuals, whether caregivers, clinicians, educators, or emergency responders, with the tools to recognize ableism, respond to trauma, and build environments where neurodivergent people are not merely accommodated, but affirmed. We do this by integrating cross-disciplinary knowledge, elevating lived experience, and designing certification programs that are as rigorous as they are accessible.

Our Vision

We envision a society in which neurodivergent individuals are no longer marginalized by systems of education, healthcare, or public safety. Instead, they are full participants, shaping, leading, and thriving in inclusive spaces.

ACNP imagines a future where credentials signal more than technical competence; they represent an unwavering commitment to ethical leadership, cultural humility, and transformative justice. We believe the professionals who serve neurodivergent people must be equipped not only to support individual needs, but to challenge the systemic inequities that create barriers in the first place.

Certifications in Development

While ACNP is not yet offering active certifications, we are in the process of building four foundational credentials. Each will be piloted, refined with input from stakeholders, and made accessible through multiple approved pathways:

• Certified Neurodiversity Advocate (CNA)
  For caregivers, family members, peer mentors, caseworkers, and non-clinical support staff who provide direct care or systems navigation for neurodivergent individuals.

• Certified Neurodiversity Scholar-Practitioner (CNSP)
  For k-12 educators, higher education faculty, instructional designers, and academic researchers seeking to transform learning environments through inclusive, affirming practice.

• Certified Neurodiversity First Responder (CNFR)
  For police officers, firefighters, EMTs, 911 dispatchers, correctional officers, and crisis response teams committed to trauma-informed, rights-based engagement with neurodivergent individuals.

• Fellow, American College of Neurodiversity Practitioners (FACNP)
  A prestigious fellowship awarded to established leaders and innovators in policy, public health, education, and advocacy who have demonstrated sustained contributions to neurodivergent inclusion and systemic reform.

Each program will be grounded in a universal Code of Ethical Practice and structured around flexible learning domains. Candidates may complete training directly through ACNP or through one of our approved external coursework providers—ensuring accessibility, choice, and alignment with their professional needs.

Why ACNP?

ACNP is not just another credentialing program—it is a values-driven movement to raise the standard of care and conduct across professions. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Centering Lived Experience: Neurodivergent individuals are not only participants—they are creators, instructors, reviewers, and evaluators across all ACNP programs.

• Flexible Learning Pathways: Whether you’re an independent learner, part of a workplace cohort, or seeking professional development through your organization, ACNP offers multiple entry points to complete required coursework.

• Ethical Accountability: Every ACNP credential is linked to a transparent, enforceable Code of Ethical Practice. Violations are handled with integrity and due process, prioritizing restorative justice where appropriate.

• Practical, System-Focused Skills: Our certifications prepare professionals to engage with complex systems—educational institutions, healthcare agencies, crisis response teams—using a lens of trauma-informed inclusion and structural analysis.

• Commitment to Equity: We offer tuition assistance and community scholarship programs to reduce financial barriers, and we prioritize outreach to underrepresented communities in all stages of program design and delivery.

How You Can Get Involved

ACNP is currently in its research and development phase. We are actively engaging with subject matter experts, neurodivergent advisors, academic institutions, and community partners to finalize our certification framework.

You can support or join our work by:

• Applying to serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) 

• Signing up for pilot course testing or early cohort enrollment

• Donating to our scholarship fund or pilot program grants

• Sharing your feedback, expertise, or lived experience to shape our design