MnNEAT
Minnesota Neurodivergent Education, Advocacy, and Therapy Services
Santanna Ficken, MHP
Board Member
While hurt people hurt people, hurt people also help people. This truth has guided both my healing and my work. My own lived experiences navigating the mental health system motivated me to dedicate my career to supporting others, particularly those whose needs don’t fit neatly into mainstream services. Throughout my journey of self-study, I learned trauma-sensitive, neurodiversity-affirming, and somatic-based practices. This journey also led me to discover my identity as an Autistic adult, strengthening my commitment to creating spaces that are affirming, accessible, and inclusive.
My personal work is specifically focused on Autistic Trauma, pioneering understanding that has not been exclusively cultivated in the field and bridging gaps within trauma-informed practices. Trauma-informed does not include Autistic Trauma!
For more than five years, I provided direct mental health services to children and families with complex, intersectional needs, delivering individualized supports designed to promote stabilization and long-term growth rather than short-term compliance. My professional foundation includes extensive experience in Minnesota’s Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS) program, where I worked intensively in homes and communities with families navigating systemic barriers, rural service gaps, and layered family dynamics.
Through MnNEAT, I serve in multiple roles, including special education advocate, speaker, educational consultant, and board member; supporting children, adolescents, families, educators, and systems.
