How Mindfulness Can Help Neurodiverse People to Thrive: A Neuro-Affirming Perspective & Conversation with Dina Kaplan - Founder of The Path ™
Meditation Teacher Training graduate and expert on mindfulness for neurodiverse populations therapist Heather Boerner at her NYC office
My meditation and mindfulness training teacher and friend Dina Kaplan was recently named one of the top 25 Meditation teachers in the world!
I had the pleasure of completing The Path’s ™ Meditation Teacher Training (MTT) course.
Dina created this amazing 100 hour teacher training course which discusses Buddhist history and wisdom, along with the technicalities of guiding meditation sessions successfully.
This training in mindfulness definitely exceeded all my expectations.
I have personally practiced meditation and mindfulness since I was a teenager and have enjoyed its many benefits as a neurodiverse person.
The Path’s Meditation Teacher Training (MTT) course gave me the skills to develop mindfulness techniques for both children and adults within my speech-language pathology practice, incorporating concepts of mindfulness, presence, compassion and empathy.
I have found mindfulness practices to greatly benefit the neurodiverse populations I work with - as well as myself personally - for sure!
Here is a recent conversation I had with Dina about how and why I have found the Path’s MTT course on teaching mindfulness to others so inspiring and effective!
Dina and I discuss the benefits of a daily meditative practice for neurodiverse populations.
Dina: Why is it important to include lessons and tips for teaching mindfulness specifically for neurodiverse people?
Heather: Well, first because many people are neurodiverse and they might be attending one of your classes!
As a neurodiverse person myself, I have personally benefited from the positive effects and outcomes of a daily meditation practice for decades and thought it was about time to share this gift with others!
I did a fateful google search back in 2024 and found your amazing 100 hour MTT teacher training course and a beautiful collection of like-minded practitioners within The Path community that followed!
https://www.thepath.com/teacher
I believe teaching people that are differently-abled mindfulness techniques is one of most self-empowering regulation tools you can teach a person to use.
Mindfulness helps to improve both their physical and emotional self-regulation skills.
I have found that meditation and mindfulness practices can help teach a person how to regulate their own nervous system by bringing their attention to the present moment.
What I love about mindfulness practices is that they can provide an avenue for a person to regulate their own nervous system!
I realized again and again throughout the training that mindfulness can provide a child, or adult, with clear agency and choice over their own bodies and nervous systems, and this is a beautiful and an extremely neuro-affirming practice!
In my mindfulness classes that I created for children at my clinic Chatty Child, I am continually amazed and astounded by the power of presence and the simple attention to breath.
By teaching a child the power of bringing their attention to their breath, their sensory and nervous systems learn over time how to self-regulate.
And using these mindfulness techniques can be game changing when a child is overstimulated or overwhelmed or about to melt down!
Also teaching a child mindfulness techniques to clear the mind is extremely helpful for children that may be experiencing racing thoughts, anxiety or fears.
One of my most beloved mindfulness activities involves teaching children about empathy and gratitude.
In my speech pathology practice, we are often working to bolster a child’s language skills.
We are continually working on improving a child’s ability to take another person’s perspective.
We encourage and guide reciprocity - like sharing, giving and compromise during play and conversations.
Mindfulness practices teach similar concepts like cultivating gratitude and building empathy for all living things.
Buddhist teachings invite us all to live with mindfulness in peace, love and harmony with all living things.
One of my favorite spring time activities involves collecting and painting rocks that the children take home and use for their daily gratitude practices.
Every year I invite each child to find a perfect rock, paint it beautifully and then use it each morning or night in their daily gratitude practices.
I encourage each child to hold the rock in their hands, close their eyes, and name 3-5 things that they are grateful for (big or small.)
Most recently, I have even incorporated mindfulness techniques with both my children and adult clients that struggle with dysfluent speech.
Again, I have been amazed at the power of mindfulness with these clients as well - noticing improved fluency - as they learn to anchor into the calming rhythm of their own breath.
I am beginning to think mindfulness is the answer to everything (just maybe!)
Dina: What is one powerful step mindfulness teachers can take that would help neurodiverse people when they start meditating or to go further in their personal practice?
Heather: I think one of the most misunderstood things about meditation and mindfulness is that you must look like a Buddha statue, sitting on the mountain top, in perfect cross legged lotus position with your eyes closed and silently chanting in your head.
How many people have that ‘perfect picture’ of meditation in their mind, right?
The truth is you can be mindful and meditate anywhere!
I would invite beginning and advanced meditators alike to let go of any predetermined ideas they may have of meditation and mindfulness and what makes a successful meditation practitioner.
Encourage each student to start practicing mindfulness in small moments and increments throughout their day.
I invite us all to consider that meditation doesn’t need to look or be perfect.
Meditation can look downright messy.
Meditation can happen while you are in motion (just not driving please)!
You can meditate with your eyes open or closed.
You can meditate while sitting, standing, walking or washing your clothes!
The truth and reality is meditation can be extremely accessible - if you let go of that perfect picture in your mind.
Mindfulness can be a valuable tool for both students and teachers alike.
As meditation teachers, I would invite each student to meditate in whatever position or activity feels comfortable for them for that day or even moment by creating an accessible class for everyone.
Dina: What is the danger for a meditation teacher who is not skilled in teaching mindfulness to differently-abled people?
Heather: I would say that meditation is a very holistic, gentle, safe approach for differently-abled people.
I believe the overall ‘danger’ you risk is that the person may not enjoy the meditation practice itself. And may not continue to practice.
This is what I see a lot of - people coming into my clinic and saying, “ Ms. Heather - I can’t meditate - I have too much energy!”
Another common scenario looks like this: A person goes into a meditation class.
They can’t close their eyes.
They feel restless or agitated.
They think - this mindfulness stuff is not for me!
Well, I might invite them to examine that thought …
I might try a walking meditation with them - adding some movement to the mindfulness.
I might use a breathing ball - for more tactile and visual cues.
I might use sand or a rock table - to encourage mindfulness while creating or playing in motion.
So really the danger lies in that a student may reject or abandon a meditation and mindfulness practice - simply out of pure frustration.
And these mindfulness techniques could be life-changing for that person’s sensory and nervous systems - if trained using neuro-affirming techniques that invite each person to use their own agency and choice in their mindfulness practices.
In fact, mindfulness practices such as a body scan - can be a helpful tool towards overall self-regulation.
As a person learns to listen to the internal signals of their body then they can adapt and incorporate mindfulness and somatic practices before their body reaches a point of overwhelm.
Of course this takes practice and guidance from a trained practitioner - but the results can be very effective - if done with care and a knowledgeable practitioner.
Yes it is extremely important - as a meditation practitioner and professional - to learn about techniques that will be helpful, affirming and validating for all those differently abled students in your class.
By taking these positive steps, you take part in creating a more accessible meditation class and practice for all your students.
Thank you so much Dina for taking the time to chat with me today about the benefits of mindfulness in the differently-abled community.
I'm excited to keep teaching the world about the benefits and practical tools of meditation and mindfulness - with you my friend, Dina!
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From Heather Lynn Boerner, MA CCC/SLP:
Come check out one of Chatty Child’s mindfulness classes - we would be thrilled to welcome you!
We can also travel into your child’s school for a professional development day for hands-on teacher and student mindfulness training.
Learn more about hum studios ™ mindfulness classes and professional development days here:
https://www.chattychild.com/services/programs/hum-studios/
Kindly connect to schedule a discovery call at:
Could your child benefit from emotional, sensory or self regulation work?
Chatty Child’s meditation and mindfulness classes can help!
We offer personalized neurodivergent affirming, speech, language, feeding and occupational therapy therapy, as well as creative mindfulness classes for all ages and abilities.
In person and online options are available for all therapeutic sessions and classes.
Our speech and occupational therapists are here to support all your child’s therapeutic needs.
I invite you to schedule a tour - to discover the support waiting for your child - at Chatty Child.
We are here to help and support your child - grow and learn!
Let’s create excellent communicators, confident voices, calm minds, and limitless possibilities - together!
Begin Children's Speech and Occupational Therapy for Learning Success:
At Chatty Child, we believe every child deserves to feel capable, confident at school, at home, and in the community. If your child is struggling here is how to get started:
Contact us or call 347.491.4451 for a free 15-minute conversation to discuss the classroom challenges your child is facing and how speech therapy can help.
Schedule a comprehensive evaluation that may include school observations to understand your child's needs in their actual learning environment.
Begin individualized therapy sessions with goals focused on the skills that support classroom success—from auditory processing to executive functioning to speaking confidence.
Collaborate with your child's therapeutic team through regular communication, team meetings, and shared strategies that create consistency across home and school.
Your child doesn't need to struggle alone. With the right support, they can build the communication skills and confidence that makes learning joyful, friendships easier, and confidence possible.
Holistic Speech, Feeding & Occupational Therapy Services for Children in NYC
At Chatty Child, we support children as they develop the communication, cognitive, and social-emotional skills that help them thrive at home, in school, and in their community. Our approach looks at the whole child, recognizing that language development is deeply connected to learning, relationships, and self-confidence.
Our services include:
Speech, language and feeding therapy - support for communication, articulation, language processing,, fluency, and feeding,
InterAct – A creative, story-based program using theatre, public speaking, and collaborative activities to build language skills, confidence, and self-expression.
Mindfulness classesfor all ages - support for emotional, sensory and self regulation, curated classes using mindfulness and meditation practices
Occupational Therapy – Support for sensory integration, fine motor skills, and independence in daily routines.
Teletherapy – Accessible online speech and occupational therapy sessions for families across New York State.
Functional Nutrition – Focused guidance on nutrition to support focus, regulation, and developmental wellness.
Consulting – Collaborative support for parents, caregivers, and educators, including school observations and team meetings.
Group Programs – Engaging group sessions that build communication skills, social language abilities, and peer connections through play.
Meet Heather Boerner, Trusted Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist & Feeding Specialist in NYC
Heather Lynn Boerner, MA, CCC-SLP, is a licensed, nationally certified speech-language pathologist with over 23 years of experience supporting children through pediatric speech therapy in NYC. Her clinical work is shaped by training in mindfulness, a trauma-informed perspective, and her lived experience as a neurodiverse, differently-abled individual. These elements inform her deeply responsive, whole-child approach to care.
Motivated by her personal journey, Heather founded Chatty Child Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy, PLLC. The practice is built on creativity, collaboration, and individualized support. She works closely with schools through classroom observations and team meetings to ensure children receive consistent, coordinated care. Heather is also the author of Carrie the Colorful Chameleon, a children's book created to encourage confidence, curiosity, and connection.
Heather and her team offer in-person therapy at the Tribeca clinic and virtual services throughout New York State. Together, they help children build the communication skills, confidence, and self-advocacy abilities they need to thrive in school and beyond.