NQF Level: 6, Duration: 8 Months, Online Learning 1,200 notional hours including 450 supervised practical hours
Applied counselling for autism, ADHD, neurodiversity, family wellness and inclusive support
Across schools, families, workplaces and communities, people living with autism, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental differences may encounter anxiety, sensory overload, challenges with communication, strained relationships, caregiver stress and barriers to participation. Specialist services are essential, but many families also need accessible, ongoing, non-clinical counselling and practical wellness support.
This advanced programme responds to that need by bringing together neurodevelopmental knowledge, ethical wellness counselling, strengths-based communication, emotional regulation, family support and structured referral into a single practice-focused learning journey. Learners move beyond recognising developmental differences: they learn how to build a helping relationship, adapt their counselling approach, set goals, document progress and work with other professionals when needs exceed their scope.
The result is a professional-development pathway designed to enhance existing roles, support responsible career progression and strengthen the capacity of community-based support services.
This programme welcomes individuals who want to develop specialised skills in neurodevelopmental wellness counselling, supporting people with autism, ADHD, neurodiversity and related emotional and family wellness needs.
The programme is suitable for:
Counsellors and wellness practitioners
Teachers, educators and ECD practitioners
Nurses and healthcare professionals
Social and community support workers
Youth leaders, pastors and chaplains
NGO workers and family support practitioners
Learning support and special needs practitioners
Parents, caregivers and guardians supporting neurodivergent children or family members
Individuals seeking a career in wellness counselling or community support
You do not need to be a registered counsellor to apply. Applicants from different educational, professional and caregiving backgrounds are welcome.
Admission Requirements
1. Standard Admission
Applicants with an NQF Level 5 qualification or higher , or an equivalent qualification in a relevant field, may apply directly.
2. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Don't have an NQF Level 5 qualification? You may still qualify!
Applicants with an NQF Level 4 qualification (or equivalent) and at least 3 years of relevant experience in counselling, caregiving, education, family support, community development or related work may apply through RPL.
Applicants without an NQF Level 4 qualification may also be considered through RPL if they can demonstrate at least 3 years of relevant practical experience.
This includes parents and caregivers who have gained meaningful experience supporting individuals with autism, ADHD or other neurodevelopmental needs.
RPL applications are assessed individually based on previous learning, practical experience and supporting evidence. RPL Assessment Fee: R1,250
Required Documentation
All applicants must submit:
Copy of a South African ID or valid passport.
Copies of relevant educational or professional certificates, where available.
CV outlining education, employment and relevant experience.
Proof of Experience: Employment letter, reference letter or other supporting evidence of relevant experience, where applicable (For RPL).
RPL Applicants: Evidence of at least 3 years of relevant experience, which may include employer references, affidavits, training certificates or a portfolio of previous work.
Additional Requirements
Applicants must have access to a reliable internet connection and a computer or laptop for online learning and assessments.
A Police Clearance Certificate may be required for practical training involving children or vulnerable individuals, depending on placement requirements.
Establish ethical and supportive wellness counselling relationships using purposeful listening, empathy and collaborative goal setting.
Understand autism, ADHD and related neurodevelopmental profiles through strengths, functional needs and lived experience rather than labels alone.
Adapt counselling communication, pacing, sensory environments and support plans for neurodivergent clients.
Support emotional wellbeing, stress management, identity, family communication, caregiver resilience and inclusive participation.
Complete appropriate intake, non-diagnostic wellness screening, case formulation, support planning, recordkeeping and progress review.
Recognise safeguarding concerns and risks, consult supervisors and make timely, responsible referrals.
Demonstrate safe applied skills through supervised counselling practice and an assessed portfolio.
1. Foundations of Wellness Counselling, Human Development & Helping Relationships
Person-centred practice, counselling micro-skills, resilience, ethical helping relationships and wellness across the lifespan.
2. Neurodevelopment, Neurodiversity & Lifespan Functioning
Neurodevelopment, executive function, communication, sensory processing and emotional regulation from childhood to adulthood.
3. Autism, ADHD & Related Neurodevelopmental Differences
Functional profiles, co-occurring wellness concerns, identity, strengths, inclusion and specialist-referral awareness.
4. Ethics, Wellness Screening, Referral & Professional Practice
Confidentiality, consent, safeguarding, non-diagnostic screening, documentation, scope and risk-sensitive referral.
5. Neurodevelopmentally Responsive Wellness Counselling Skills & Practice
Adapted counselling sessions, stress and emotional-wellness support, neurodiversity-affirming communication and supervised practice.
6. Child, Adolescent, Parent & Family Wellness Counselling
Caregiver stress, family systems, parent guidance, adolescent transitions and family-wellness counselling.
7. Emotional Regulation, Behaviour, Learning & Inclusive Wellness Support
Regulation, sensory distress, positive behaviour approaches, educational participation and contextual support planning.
8. Integrated Wellness Counselling, Case Management & Professional Practice
Realistic cases, records, referral collaboration, supervision, progress review and final integrated portfolio assessment.
Practical training: 450 hours
This is a practice-intensive programme. Learners complete 450 verified practical hours, including supervised direct counselling and client/family-support contact, together with, psychoeducation, contextual observation, support planning, professional documentation, collaboration and reflective supervision. Practical hours must be supported by authenticated logs, assessor evidence and a final portfolio.
Practical learning is included in the stated programme fee. Approved settings may include eligible counselling services, schools, ECD centres, NGOs, community support projects and multidisciplinary support environments, provided appropriate supervision and safeguarding arrangements are in place.
ASCHP professional designation pathway
The programme develops counselling-related evidence that may be considered when eligible learners seek an ASCHP professional designation. Holistic Counsellor and Wellness Counsellor are different designations with different underlying qualification criteria. ASCHP determines eligibility by reviewing prior qualifications, counselling experience, evidence of competence and any applicable RPL assessment. Programme completion is not automatic registration or a guarantee of either designation.
Assessment includes knowledge checks, case studies, counselling demonstrations, supervised practice evaluations, logbooks, ethical decision-making, practical support plans and a final integrated portfolio with observed professional competence.
Fee element
Amount (non-refundable)
Monthly tuition
R980 × 8 months
Total tuition fee
R7,840
Supervised practical component
Included in tuition fee
Recognition of Prior Learning Fee
R1,250
Professional-body fees As prescribed by ASCHP at the time of application. Payable separately.
As prescribed by ASCHP at the time of application for Professional Designation. Payable separately to ASCHP.
Important Note: Learners are required to maintain up-to-date tuition payments throughout the programme to ensure uninterrupted access to learning materials, classes, practical training and assessments. Overdue payments may result in the temporary suspension of course access until the account is brought up to date.
The Certificate of Completion and Letter of Recommendation for Professional Designation, where applicable, will only be issued upon successful completion of all academic and practical requirements and full settlement of outstanding programme fees, subject to applicable law.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes this programme different from other neurodevelopmental courses?
This advanced programme goes beyond understanding autism and ADHD. It combines specialised neurodevelopmental knowledge with professional wellness counselling skills, family support, emotional wellbeing and 450 hours of supervised practical training . You gain the knowledge and practical experience to support individuals and families across different stages of life.
2. Can I apply for professional registration with ASCHP after completing the programme?
Yes. Eligible graduates can apply for assessment towards the Holistic Counsellor or Wellness Counsellor professional designation with ASCHP . The appropriate designation depends on your previous qualifications, relevant experience, practical training and ASCHP's evaluation criteria, including RPL where applicable.
3. Can this programme help me earn an income or establish my own counselling service?
Yes. The programme develops practical skills that can support employment, professional advancement and income-generating opportunities. Suitably qualified practitioners may explore offering wellness counselling, family-support services, parenting workshops, community wellness programmes and related services.
Independent professional practice must comply with applicable registration and scope-of-practice requirements.
4. Are the 450 practical training hours included in the course fees?
Yes! The full 450-hour supervised and assessed practical component is included in your tuition fee of R960 per month for eight months . Practical learning develops real-world counselling competence through supervised activities, case studies, support planning and professional assessments, subject to approved practical arrangements.
5. Do I need to be a qualified counsellor to enrol?
No. The programme welcomes educators, nurses, wellness practitioners, community workers, learning-support professionals, parents, caregivers and individuals from related backgrounds.
Applicants with an NQF Level 5 qualification or higher may qualify for standard admission. Those with relevant experience but without the required qualification may apply through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) , subject to assessment.
6. Is this programme only for people working with children?
Not at all. The programme takes a lifespan approach, equipping learners to understand and support children, adolescents, adults, parents and families experiencing neurodevelopmental and related wellness challenges.
7. Will I be equipped to support individuals with autism, ADHD and related emotional challenges?
Yes. You will learn practical, evidence-informed approaches to supportive counselling, emotional regulation, communication, family wellness, behaviour and inclusive support. The programme also develops your ability to recognise when specialised assessment or treatment is needed and make appropriate referrals. Medical and psychological diagnosis remains the responsibility of authorised professionals.