Live webinar presented by Dr. Jerrod Brown
Feb. 5, 2026, 12:30pm
90 min of CLE credit
Neurodivergence describes a group of individuals with atypical patterns of brain functioning, including differences in cognition, sensory, and motor abilities. Conditions such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, learning difficulties (e.g., dyslexia), and traumatic brain injuries often fall under this umbrella. The symptoms of these neurodivergent conditions place these individuals at an elevated risk for involvement in the criminal justice system (in roles ranging from suspect and defendant to victim and witness) compared to the general population. Complicating matters further, this population often struggles to navigate psycholegal processes such as police interviews and interrogations, court proceedings, court-mandated treatment, incarceration, and community supervision.
Designed for professionals working in criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings, this innovative training explores neurodivergence and the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in the criminal justice system. Topics discussed will include intake, screening and assessment, communication and accommodation strategies.
Training Objectives:
- Define neurodivergence and neurodivergent conditions.
- Identify common signs and symptoms of neurodivergent conditions.
- Learn about the impact neurodivergent conditions have on criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings.
- Identify screening, communication, and accommodation strategies that professionals can implement with neurodivergent populations who are involved in criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings.
Each webinar from Feb-July 2026 will explore a topic related to neurodiversity and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Registration:
This program is part of the 2026 IDS Forensic Science Education Series. The webinars will be presented monthly and are free to attend. If you have already signed up for the 2026 webinar series, you do not need to sign up again. If you haven’t registered already, use this link to register for all webinars in the series and attend any that are of interest.
Presenter:
Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., M.S., M.S. is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS) and founder and co-editor-in-chief of Forensic Scholars Today. Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma and other life adversities, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed six separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Medical Biochemistry, Exercise Prescription, Applied Pediatric Nutrition, Neuroscience and the Law, Neuropsychology, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Dyslexia, Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. In 2023, Jerrod completed a diabetes care and education certificate from Central Arizona College. Jerrod has also conducted over 300 workshops, webinars, and on-demand trainings for various organizations and professional and student audiences. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters, and recently, co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with Erv Weinkauf. Jerrod has also been quoted in various magazines, newspapers, and other professional outlets. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs.