Understanding Newcomers Impacted by Neurodivergence: A Conversation About Better Support
Published by Galena Wellness
Navigating neurodivergence or disability can already be complex. For newcomers to Canada, that experience may also involve learning unfamiliar healthcare, education, disability, and settlement systems while adapting to a new culture and community.
On October 28, 2026, Manjiah Ockey of Galena Wellness will join a virtual panel discussion exploring how professionals can better understand and support newcomers impacted by neurodivergence.
The conversation will focus on two important questions:
What is it like to be a newcomer who is navigating disability?
How can service providers provide better support?
The panel brings together perspectives from community services, lived experience, and wellness:
Kim Mayer — Edmonton Newcomer Centre
Mezaun Evin — Lived Experience
Manjiah Ockey — Galena Wellness Newcomers and Neurodiversity Pa…
Why This Conversation Matters
Neurodivergence does not exist separately from culture, family, language, identity, or lived experience.
For newcomer families, understanding ADHD, autism, learning differences, executive-function challenges, sensory needs, or other disabilities may happen at the same time they are learning how Canadian systems work.
Professionals supporting these families have an opportunity to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach.
Better support begins with curiosity, cultural responsiveness, listening to lived experience, and understanding the whole person — not simply a diagnosis.
Supporting the Professionals Who Support Families
This panel is designed particularly for case managers, program managers, team leads, and professionals working in disability and settlement services. Newcomers and Neurodiversity Pa…
The goal is to create space for practical discussion about what families may experience and how organizations can build more inclusive and responsive approaches to service delivery.
At Galena Wellness, we believe that understanding nervous-system regulation, neurodivergence, family context, and lived experience can help professionals approach care and support with greater awareness.
Join the Conversation
Understanding Newcomers Impacted by Neurodivergence
Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Time: 12:00–1:00 PM MDT
Location: Online via Zoom Newcomers and Neurodiversity Pa…
Register here:
https://aaisa-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/ZwnR4T8QRYuGG4qRrH_XsA#/registration
We are grateful to be part of this important conversation and look forward to learning alongside professionals, community organizations, and people with lived experience.