Courses
Explore a range of courses focused on neurodiversity, I/DD, and disability resources designed to build understanding, foster meaningful interactions, and support positive personal and professional relationships. Through education and awareness, these offerings help develop a knowledgeable, understanding, and supportive community.
MORE COURSES COMING SOON!
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Resources for Neurodiverse, I/DD, and Disabled Populations
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Disability Resources 101
This training introduces the key resources available to individuals who are neurodivergent or part of the I/DD and disabled community. Participants will learn how these interconnected supports work together, why the order of access matters, and how to navigate them effectively. The lesson emphasizes building a logical, participant-centered pathway to services that improves access, coordination, and outcomes.
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Vocational Rehabilitation
Explore Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) from start to finish—covering benefits, eligibility, intake, available services, and applicant expectations—so you can stay informed and decide if VR is the right fit for you.
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I/DD Case Management System
Gain a complete overview of county I/DD case management services—how they support people with disabilities by coordinating resources, covering eligible costs, reducing daily barriers, promoting independence, and guiding individuals from eligibility and intake through ongoing supports.
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Neurodiversity in the Workplace
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Encountering Neurodiversity as a First Responder
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Understanding Neurodiversity
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Diving Into Diagnosis
Explore a range of neurodivergent and I/DD diagnoses, how they may affect individuals, the barriers they can create, and the lived experiences of people who have them. This training builds understanding of individual needs and preferences while increasing comfort, awareness, and confidence when interacting with neurodiverse populations.
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Interacting with Neurodiverse & I/DD Individuals
Learn to recognize stimming, verbal and non-verbal communication styles, and disability-specific social cues and conversation starters. This course helps you communicate with confidence, build genuine connections, and interact respectfully and effectively in everyday personal and professional settings.
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Bridging the Gap: Neurodivergent & Neurotypical Minds
This course bridges neurodivergent and neurotypical ways of thinking by exploring how each processes information and reaches conclusions. Through clear comparisons of thought patterns, participants identify similarities, understand differences, and learn how others think forward and backward. The result is stronger communication, fewer misunderstandings, and more effective collaboration across different minds.
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Exploring Barriers
This course explores common barriers faced by neurodivergent and I/DD individuals—cognitive, emotional, communicative, social, and professional. By understanding these challenges and the simplicity of some needs, participants learn when and how to offer support thoughtfully, promoting autonomy, dignity, and success.
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Trauma-Informed Practices
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Transitioning Into Adulthood
About your Instructor
Cadence Michael is the Founder and Owner of NeuroNavigations Northwest LLC, a consulting and education firm dedicated to helping individuals, families, organizations, and communities better navigate vocational pathways, support systems, and collaborative opportunities. With nearly a decade of professional experience, Cadence specializes in vocational consulting, resource navigation, service coordination, and community education for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and diverse cognitive profiles.
Cadence’s professional background includes contracted partnerships with Vocational Rehabilitation, service provision through Marion and Polk County Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services in Oregon, and delivery of Pre-Employment Transition Services for students preparing for employment, postsecondary education, and adult independence. Through this work, she has developed extensive, hands-on knowledge of public systems, funding sources, and employment supports—and how to apply them effectively in real-world settings.
What sets Cadence apart is her ability to bridge gaps between individuals, families, service systems, and organizations. She approaches her work with a consultative mindset, helping people clarify goals, identify barriers, and make informed decisions while reducing unnecessary complexity. Her one-on-one consulting and follow-along guidance are designed to promote confidence, autonomy, and sustainable success.
In addition to direct consulting, Cadence partners with businesses, schools, agencies, and community groups to provide practical education and training. Her presentations focus on translating awareness into action by addressing common challenges such as communication differences, planning and follow-through, executive functioning, time management, and engagement strategies. By strengthening understanding across communities, she helps organizations build trust, improve outcomes, and create environments where more people can participate meaningfully.
Cadence founded NeuroNavigations Northwest to advance a collaborative model of success—one that recognizes progress happens when individuals are supported, organizations are informed, and communities work together. Her work is grounded in practical experience, relationship-building, and a belief that when guidance and understanding are shared, opportunity expands for everyone.
FAQs
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What are some examples of resources you have access to and what do they cost?
Once connected to Vocational Rehabilitation and County I/DD Case Management, resources like financial benefits counseling, funding programs, employment agencies, savings accounts, and so many more individualized programs become available often at no cost to the participant.
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We are a small business, non-profit, or public service agency with a limited budget but want to receive your trainings. Are there options for us?
NeuroNavigations is always open to considering these unique circumstances and is willing to be flexible within reason, just reach out!
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We are a local business wanting to show support for NeuroNavigations but don’t currently have a need for any of these services. How can we get involved?
Great question! We love showing support for our Neurodiverse, I/DD, and Disability communities and plan to roll out some swag for businesses to put up at very little to no cost at all. Stay tuned! -
Do you offer any discounts?
Yes! NeuroNavigations proudly offers student discounts, veteran and active duty military discounts, first responder discounts, and Salem Chamber Greeters member discounts. We also send out sales and coupons in our newsletter so be sure you’re subscribed to that!