A Clear Standard.
A Confident Start.
The NFS-E credential is your entry point into the R.E.A.L. Neurodiverse™ framework — establishing the foundation you need to support Level 1 autistic adults and their families and life partners with structure, flexibility, fidelity, and confidence.
Streamlined. Fully Virtual. Completable within your first two months.
Step-by-step. Neurodiversity-affirming. Practice-ready.
A Minimum Bar — Not A Barrier
A Structured Framework That Fits Real Practice
R.E.A.L. Neurodiverse™ is a structured, theoretically grounded framework. Credentialing ensures that every provider using it has a shared foundation — not to gatekeep, but to protect the quality of the work and the wellbeing of the clients it serves.
The entry-level NFS-E credential is designed to be achievable. You complete it as you go, working alongside your clients within the fully synchronized platform. No extended waiting period. No in-person requirements.
"Providers don't need to arrive fully prepared. They need to be prepared enough to begin — the platform is designed to carry providers and clients forward together."
- Anne MacMillan, R.E.A.L. Neurodiverse™ Framework
WHY AN ALL-VIRTUAL CREDENTIAL IS POSSIBLE
The Platform Guides Both of You — Simultaneously
Because the provider and client pathways are fully synchronized, you're never working blind. You always know exactly where your client is, what they're engaging with, and how to respond — and the platform tells you.
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1. Shared
Starting Point
Neurodiversity Education
Both you and your client begin each step with access to the same psychoeducational videos — so you're always working from a shared foundation.
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2. Parallel,
Tailored Tracks
Parallel, Individual Integration
After each set of videos, your client receives materials for their neurology. You receive fully synchronized provider guides for every track.
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3. Credential as You Practice
Learning Through Practice
Your credentialing coursework is built around the same framework you're using in session — so learning and doing are never separate.
THE NFS-E CREDENTIALL CREDENTIAL
Neurodiverse Family Systems — Educator
Entry-Level Certification — Required To Begin
The NFS-E is the entry-level professional certification for the R.E.A.L. Neurodiverse™ framework. It is grounded in Anne MacMillan's R.E.A.L. Neurodiverse™ Family Systems Theory and the 10-Step R.E.A.L. Approach — and it is the credential required for any provider to access the full client-facing programs.
Upon credentialing, you receive official NFS-E certification and ongoing access to the complete R.E.A.L. Neurodiverse™ toolkit: client-facing programs and psychoeducational videos, seven integration modalities, family and intimate life partnership structured integration discussions, formal quantitative empathy spectrum assessments, and structured reflection materials via the UnitusTI platform.
The NFS-E is intentionally designed for working professionals. You begin using the programs with your clients from day one. The credentialing coursework unfolds in parallel — so you're not preparing before you start, you're learning as you go.
Who It's For
The NFS-E credential is open to a wide range of relational support professionals. If your work brings you alongside individuals, couples, or families navigating the complexities of neurodiversity, this framework was built for you.
Therapists
Counselors
Social Workers
Psychologists
Coaches and Consultants
Clergy
Domestic Violence Workers
Other Relational Advocates
ELIGIBILITY
Do You Qualify?
Applicants Must Meet the Eligibility Criteria For One of the Following Pathways:
Pathway A: Professional Background
Hold a bachelor's degree or post-bachelor's certificate in a relevant field — such as psychology, social work, education, human development, divinity, or domestic violence advocacy.
Pathway B: Lived Experience
Hold a bachelor's degree in any field and have at least 10 years of lived experience with Level 1 autism in adulthood — as an autistic individual or through a direct family or partnership role.
Two Months to Complete —
Starting From Day One
When you enroll, you receive immediate full access to the R.E.A.L.™ programs and your credentialing coursework. You have two months within your active subscription to complete the NFS-E credential while using the programs with real clients. The synchronized platform means you're always guided — no prior preparation required to start.
How You Earn The Credential
All coursework is completed virtually through the UnitusTI platform.
Requirements are structured for clarity and achievability.
1. Complete All Required Instructional Content
Watch the full sequence of credentialing modules, organized step by step within the platform.
2. Score 90%+ on All Subsection Check-In Questions
Short comprehension checks at the end of each subsection confirm you're following the material before moving forward.
3. Complete All Written Reflection Questions
Structured written reflections connect the theory to your practice context as you work through the content.
4. Score 90%+ on Each Section Final Quiz
Each section concludes with a quiz that confirms mastery.
5. Pass the Final Exam — 85% or Higher (680/800)
A comprehensive final exam assesses your understanding of the R.E.A.L.™ framework across all sections. Passing earns your official NFS-E credential.
WHAT COMES NEXT
A Pathway That Grows With You
The NFS-E credential is all you need to begin — and for many providers, it remains their primary credential throughout their practice. For those who wish to go deeper, two advanced credentials are available after demonstrating consistent, effective use of the programs: the NFS-S and the NFS-P.
Neurodiverse Family Systems (NFS):
Educator
NFS-E
Entry-Level Credential
Full access to all client-facing programs, seven integration modalities, empathy spectrum assessments, and the complete UnitusTI platform. Required to begin — achievable within your first two months of enrollment.
Specialist
NFS-S
After 1 Year + 100 Hours at NFS-E
Unlocks advanced relational tools including the Theory of Mind Dyadic Tool (ToM-DT), video interaction analysis, and other-report empathy spectrum assessments. Requires 12 hours of supervised clinical work under an NFS-P trainer.
Practitioner
NFS-P
After 1 Year + 150 Client Hours at NFS-S
The highest level of certification, for providers working with complex trauma dynamics in neurodiverse family systems. Provides access to trauma-focused quantitative assessments and coordinated empathy subscale mapping tools.
NOT TRAUMA THERAPY AND DOES NOT QUALIFY PROVIDERS IN TRAUMA EXCAVATION
The guiding principle across all levels: competence before complexity. Providers are supported in gradually expanding their capacity before taking on higher-impact tools and responsibilities. Advanced credentials are entirely optional.
Common Questions
Do I need to finish the credential before seeing clients?
No. You receive full access to the R.E.A.L. programs when you enroll and can begin using them with clients immediately. The credential is completed during your active subscription — you have two months to finish it while working with clients in parallel.
Why is an all-virtual credential possible for a professional framework?
Because the provider and client pathways are fully synchronized, the platform itself provides the guidance that would otherwise require in-person supervision. You always know exactly what your client is engaging with, and the provider materials tell you how to respond at every step. This built-in structure makes rigorous virtual credentialing not only possible — but practical. Learn More About Provider and Client Program Synchronization.
What if I don't finish the credential within two months?
You will lose access to the programs until you complete your credential. Once completed, full program access will be restored. Reach out to the R.E.A.L. team if you have questions about your timeline.
Is the NFS-E the only credential I need?
For most providers, yes. The NFS-E gives you full access to the client-facing programs, assessments, integration modalities, and all tools needed to support neurodiverse individuals, families, and partnerships. Advanced credentials (NFS-S and NFS-P) are optional pathways for those who wish to expand into more complex relational territory over time.
Does each provider in a practice need the credential?
Each practice must have at least one NFS-E certified provider to access the R.E.A.L. programming. Solo practitioners complete the credential individually. Multi-provider practices should explore our group enrollment options.
Is this credential recognized externally or by licensing boards?
The NFS-E is a proprietary credential issued by R.E.A.L. Neurodiverse™, grounding providers in the specific theory, tools, and clinical framework of Anne MacMillan's model. It is not currently tied to external licensing boards, but is designed to complement and elevate existing professional licensure.
Enroll Today — Start Working With Clients This Week
Full program access begins within about three business days of enrollment. Your NFS-E credentialing coursework opens alongside it — and your two-month credentialing window starts the same day.
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Start transforming neurodiverse relational work with confidence.
