Dori Zener & Associates

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Dori Zener & Associates

We are a group of mental health clinicians and neurodivergent peers who are united by a passion to h

04/06/2026

Deepika Birdi, RP

Deepika is a passionate and experienced psychotherapist and expressive arts therapist specializing in supporting children, youth, and families through creative, collaborative, and compassionate care.

Deepika believes healing, growth and connection happens best when we learn to listen with empathy, creativity, and openness.

We are pleased to introduce Deepika as a part of our neuroaffirming team.

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04/02/2026

Happy World Autism Day 2026.
Let’s move beyond awareness → toward acceptance → and into meaningful advocacy.

What does it actually mean to be an autism advocate—whether as a self-advocate or an ally?
We break it down in this post.

03/31/2026

🎬 Stories in Motion: A Neuroaffirming Art Therapy Group for Autistic Youth

What if storytelling didn’t rely on words—but on movement, images, and imagination?

Stories in Motion is a digital art therapy group for autistic adolescents (12–18) that uses stop-motion animation as a powerful tool for expression, connection, and growth facilitated by Deepika Birdi.

Designed with neurodivergent strengths in mind, this group taps into visual thinking, creativity, and focused interests—offering a structured, predictable space where youth can feel safe to explore and create.

✨ Through animation, participants will:
• Express emotions through visual storytelling
• Build connections in a low-pressure, collaborative environment
• Strengthen executive functioning (planning, sequencing, turn-taking)
• Develop self-regulation through rhythmic, creative processes
• Have their communication styles and strengths validated—not pathologized
Grounded in trauma-informed, phenomenological, and neuroaffirming practices, this group prioritizes choice, safety, and authentic self-expression.
Because every story deserves to be told—even without words.

03/16/2026

Daniel Share-Strom, HSBW, RSW

Daniel is a Registered Social Worker who believes in a strengths-based approach to helping Autistic youth and young adults improve their mental health and live meaningful lives.

He uses his own lived experience with autism to advocate for inclusion of neurodivergent individuals through his public speaking, workshops and writing.

Daniel is the author of Do You Want to Play? Making Friends with an Autistic Kid and a writer and creative consultant on the TV show Thomas and Friends: All Engines Go!, where he helped create the joyful and adorable Autistic character, Bruno the Brake Car.

We are pleased to introduce Daniel as part of our neuroaffirming team.

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03/10/2026

Join us for GOOD COMPANY! An autistic-led women and non-binary adults support group. A safe space for members to validate, inform and support each other.

This month's topic: AUDHD (Autism + ADHD)

SPOTS AVAILABLE for March 11, 17, 19 & 25. Register today at info@dorizener.com.

Virtual, 18+

03/09/2026

Ayal Senior, MSW, RSW

Ayal is a Registered Social Worker who specializes in supporting neurodiverse adolescents, adults and families reach their fullest potential.

He uses a personalized, solution-focused approach that emphasizes independent living skills, executive functioning and decision making through productive and meaningful activities, relationships and play.

Ayal is also a noted musician with a passion for composing, producing and performing music around the world.

We are pleased to introduce Ayal as a part of our neuroaffirming team.

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03/05/2026

Medical appointments can be overwhelming, especially if you're neurodivergent. With a little preparation, your appointment can work for you. Write your notes, plan for your needs and practice your words - this is self-advocacy. Your voice matters and you deserve to be heard and supported.
https://www.dorizener.com/groups/rainbow-spectrum-pride

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03/03/2026

Join us March 4, 2026 from 12 - 1 pm to learn more about the unique profile of Autistic girls & women, with a focus on strengths and talents.

Register for this FREE talk at https://yssn.ca/event/autistic-girls-and-women-celebrating-strengths-and supporting-needs-with-dori-zener/

Girls

03/02/2026

Bev Hutchinson, RP, MACP, CCC, ADHD-CCSP

Bev is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP), and an ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider, who works with neurodiverse adults and their spouses to increase their well being.
Bev also supports parents of neurodiverse children on their parenting journey.

She collaboratively creates holistic treatment plans with clients centered on their needs and goals. These flexible road maps help the clients move from where they are now to where they want to go. During the therapeutic process she also infuses humour, empathy, acceptance, straight-forwardness, and compassion into her sessions.
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02/27/2026

At a winter gathering, a mother chose patience over pressure.

By staying calm and present, this mother avoided escalation and allowed her son to come to his own conclusion.

When children are given the opportunity to experience natural consequences they learn self-regulation and it builds trust.

Moments like these remind us that there's not a one-size-fits all parenting style and sometimes growth happens when we step back.

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02/26/2026

Just as caring for our physical health is vital, maintaining emotional hygiene is essential to prevent burnout. Start the day with an energy evaluation and practice meditation to help gauge energy limits. Paying attention to how we spend our energy during the day can help us recognize what could be draining our energy without our awareness.

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10/27/2025

Upcoming Workshop Series - focusing on supporting parents of neurodivergent kids, teens, and young adults! Learn from one of our registered therapists and a neurodivergent mom with two neurodivergent teens.

https://www.dorizener.com/events/thriving-together

Address

692 Euclid Avenue
North York, ON
M6G2T9

Telephone

+16475603300

Website

http://www.dorizener.com/

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