By Tanner Hickman, FOCB Analyst, SCAO
Increase Understanding
The Friend of
the Court Bureau is developing training to support families friend of the court
(FOC) offices serve by better understanding neurodiversity. The Bureau is
excited to begin offering brief training opportunities to FOC offices across
the state.
Neurodiversity is the idea that differences in how people think, process information, communicate, and regulate emotions are natural variations on the continuum of being human. Some individuals may be considered neurodivergent while others are neurotypical. These differences are not always obvious, but they often show up in meaningful ways in how people engage with systems like the FOC.
Why this
Work Matters
At the center
of this work are people, often navigating stress, conflict, and complex family
dynamics. At times, we see behaviors that are difficult to understand: missed
steps, heightened reactions, challenges with follow-through. It can be easy to
interpret these patterns as resistance or lack of effort.
This training
helps offer another perspective: that some of what we see may be influenced by
how individuals process information, manage stress, struggle with rapid back
and forth communication, or interpret tone and written language differently.
Differences in attention, executive functioning, and emotional regulation can shape
how individuals interact with our system in ways that are not always
immediately visible. When we begin to better understand people’s range of
experiences and identify their needs, we are in a better position to respond
with effective and fair support.
What the
Training Offers
This is not
just definition-based training. It is designed to be practical and directly
connected to the work FOC offices do. The training includes:
- A clear, accessible overview of neurodiversity
- Common characteristics and how they may show up in interactions with parents and caregivers
- Real-world scenarios that reflect FOC cases
- Concrete strategies to improve communication and engagement
- Examples of barriers individuals may experience and what accommodations can look like in practice
The Goal
This training
is not about lowering expectations or excusing behavior. It is intended to increase understanding of
neurodiversity and support more effective interactions with families and
individuals who may process information, communicate, or regulate emotions
differently.
By adjusting
communication styles, clarifying expectations and recognizing barriers, staff
can improve engagement, reduce misunderstandings, and encourage more consistent
participation. When individuals feel informed, respected, and heard throughout
the process, they are more likely to engage meaningfully.
This work aligns with procedural justice
principles by actively inviting feedback from participants and ensuring they
understand decisions are made transparently. When families and individuals are
encouraged to share their perspectives and are kept informed about each step in
the process, they are more likely to feel heard and respected. These
practices—listening, respectful treatment, clear communication, and openness—help
build trust and increase engagement, demonstrating how improved opportunities
for communication leads to a procedurally just result. Ultimately, the goal is
to strengthen service delivery while ensuring that families receive fair and
effective support.
Moving
Forward
Some offices are
already doing thoughtful and innovative work around neurodiversity. As the
Bureau offers this training, it is intended to be a two-way conversation. This
will be an opportunity to share your experiences: what local offices are
encountering, what challenges they are facing, and the approaches that are
working well.
The Bureau welcomes
questions, ideas, and the real stories that shape this work. This training is
meant to grow alongside the needs of the FOC offices, and their input will help
inform how the Bureau develops and refines it.
Any FOC
office that is interested in learning more or scheduling a training should
contact the Bureau’s Paul Gehm for more information [GehmP@courts.mi.gov].
