Global Regulatory
Codex 2026

Specialists are mandated to operate strictly within the parameters of their verified academic qualifications and clinical licenses. A GNA member must not misrepresent their authority to diagnose, prescribe, or provide clinical intervention if their credentials are restricted to coaching, education, or social support.

Consent must be obtained through methods that accommodate the individual’s communication profile. This requires the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), visual supports, or extended processing time where necessary.

The GNA-PSCC-2026 holds a zero-tolerance policy for behavioral modification techniques that utilize physical restraint, sensory deprivation, or psychological coercion (e.g. forced eye contact or the suppression of non-harmful stimming). Specialists are required to employ trauma-informed, neuro-affirming strategies.

For adults with high support needs, specialists must facilitate 'Supported Decision-Making' models rather than paternalistic substitution. This involves providing information in accessible formats and working alongside designated support persons.

GNA members are required to reject the 'medical deficit' model in favor of the neurodiversity paradigm. Clinical practice must focus on identifying and supporting functional barriers within the individual's environment.

Diagnostic reports must be comprehensive, multi-axial, and evidence-based. A diagnosis must never be rendered based solely on checklist compliance; it must include observations of sensory processing, executive functioning, and communication styles.

Specialists act as temporary custodians of highly sensitive neuro-data. The GNA mandate requires end-to-end encryption for all digital records and the immediate provision of records to the client upon request.

Recognizing that professional burnout is a significant risk to patient safety, specialists have a mandatory duty to maintain their own psychological well-being. This includes adhering to maximum caseload limits.

Specialists must disclose all costs, including hidden administrative or reporting fees, prior to the commencement of any engagement. Predatory pricing models are strictly forbidden.

Any affiliation with pharmaceutical companies, private schools, or service providers that may influence clinical recommendations must be disclosed in writing. Specialists must maintain clinical independence.

Members must complete 40 hours of GNA-certified continuing education every 24 months. At least 10 of these hours must be dedicated specifically to 'Current Neuro-Affirming Research'.

Specialists must acknowledge and respect all forms of communication, including non-speaking, minimally verbal, and alternative modalities. Specialists are mandated to facilitate the most effective communication mode.

It is the specialist's duty to ensure the clinical environment does not cause sensory overload or pain. This involves adjusting lighting, minimizing background noise, and permitting the use of sensory tools.

The GNA promotes a 'Total Care' model. Specialists are required to collaborate with other members of the client's support team (OT, SLP, Educators) to ensure a unified support pathway.

When engaging in public discourse or social media, specialists must maintain the dignity of the neurodiversity profession. This includes refraining from sharing identifiable patient data.

In crisis situations, specialists must utilize non-violent, de-escalation techniques that prioritize the individual's dignity and physical safety. Police intervention must be the absolute last resort.

The GNA-PSCC requires specialists to acknowledge the intersection of neurodivergence with race, gender identity, and socioeconomic status. Clinical bias must be actively countered.

Members have a regulatory 'Duty of Candor' to report any witnessed unethical conduct by other GNA-accredited professionals. This protocol is designed to protect the integrity of the Registry.

Any GNA member participating in research must ensure the study follows the 'Nothing About Us Without Us' principle. Participants must have the right to withdraw at any time.

GNA specialists are mandated to treat self-identified neurodivergent individuals with professional respect and validation. The specialist must acknowledge the validity of the individual’s lived experience.

Specialists must not encourage or train clients to 'mask' their neurodivergent traits for social assimilation. Intervention must focus on building self-advocacy skills.

When working with families, specialists must provide support that empowers parents without inducing 'parent-blame.' The focus should be on optimizing the home sensory environment.

All GNA members are expected to be familiar with and adhere to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

When a professional error occurs—be it a misdiagnosis or a failed intervention—the specialist is mandated to disclose the error to the client/family immediately.

Specialists must not allow their clinical judgment to be compromised by institutional KPIs, insurance company requirements, or government quotas.