The unprecedented changes that we have all endured in the past year has set us back in more ways than we could have imagined. The support systems that were once easily adaptable grew more difficult to reach, but in the midst of these hardships, opportunities have bloomed. The online platforms that now play significant roles in our lives allow for the development of projects and workshops that can help us overcome, learn, and prosper as better people than we were yesterday. Below, we have listed a variety of online workshops that can help society learn more about neurodiversity and what role they can play in uplifting the neurodiverse community.
Jenara Nerenberg & The Neurodiversity Project:
A journalist, speaker, and author of Divergent Minds, Jenara Nerenberg founded The Neurodiversity Project as a result of her own experiences with autism and ADHD, which she had constantly been told only constituted anxiety. In her book, Nerenberg focuses on intersectional concepts, specifically about how neurodiversity in women is often overlooked due to gender roles perpetuated by society. She argues that, as a result of this, the advantages of neurodiversity are overlooked. Consequently, Nerenberg provides stories of various neurodivergent women, aiming to fuel empathy and dismantle commonly held assumptions. Nerenberg highlights that through an appreciation of neurodiversity, our society can support, learn from, and inspire a multitude of individuals.
One of Jenara Nerenberg’s events include the Advance LA Conference, where she has discussed, “her findings on ‘Empathy & Neurodiversity: An Examination of Gender & the Traits of Synesthesia, ADHD, Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), & the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP).’” Others that she has engaged in are the Bay Area Book Fest “In Conversation With Jenara”, Future of Cognitive Diversity & The Promise of Co-Living, and IN/VISIBLE Talks.
Stanford Neurodiversity Project:
The Stanford Neurodiversity Project aims to educate the youth by empowering them to take strides towards understanding, embracing, and empowering the neurodiverse community. The core objectives of the project, empowerment, education, and diversity, embeds strong roots in youth leaders who hope to cultivate a society that “treasures the strengths of neurodiverse individuals”, “empowers neurodiverse individuals to build their identity”, and “maximizes the potential of neurodiversity.” By actively sharing the Stanford Neurodiversity Model, the program supports the idea of reinventing the way we view the neurodiverse by focusing on their skills.
Different Brains:
Founded by author, advocate, boxer, and surgeon, Dr. Hackie Reitman, Different Brains is an organization that aims to “encourage understanding [and] acceptance of individuals who [are neurodivergent through] mentor[ing] neurodiverse adults in maximizing their potential for employment and independence, [increasing] awareness of neurodiversity by producing interactive media, [and fostering] the next generation of neurodivergent self-advocates.” The primary goal of Different Brains is embracing and supporting diversity, specifically neurodiversity, within the community.
Different Brains has previously hosted a multitude of events, ranging from “Tools for Detecting & Managing Depression” with Dr. Marsha D. Brown to “ADHD EdCamp”, which considers how to manage depression and ADHD, respectively. They have previously worked with Stanford Neurodiversity Project in the Neurodiversity Summit. One upcoming event hosted by Different Brains is “Tools for Healing After Trauma”, with Dr. Mark Goulston, to assist individuals with PTSD.
Exceptional Individuals:
Exceptional Individuals is an organization that encourages neurodiversity in the workforce through offering support to employers and neurodivergent individuals. They maintain that inclusivity and access to opportunities for neurodivergent individuals permits positive change by providing new perspectives and fostering empathy. Some of the core goals that they achieve include, “provid[ing] job support for neurodivergent people [and] help[ing] employers become more inclusive.”
This organization’s purpose and reasoning behind hosting events is “because we love engaging with our neurodiverse community, hosting events celebrating neurodiversity and bringing like-minded people together.” One of their largest events is Great Minds Think Different, a showcase of neurodiverse individuals’ creativity and talent in order to offer a chance to network. Their last event in 2019, “featured music, comedy, spoken word and a panel to discuss some key issues and questions on neurodiversity.” Two upcoming events are “How do I get Neurodiversity support in the workplace?” for Time to Talk Day and “Me, Myself, and my CV” for National Careers Week.
IBM Neurodiversity:
A passion project founded by Dylan Rafail, IBM Neurodiversity aims to support neurodiverse individuals in the workplace. Rafail’s perspective as an autistic individual made him realize the inability for society to understand the way his view on the world shapes his unique talents. By encouraging the neurodiverse community to serve on the board of IBM, the project hopes to pave a path for neurodivergent individuals in the global working field.
Project Illuminate:
Project Illuminate, like many of the projects explored above, hopes to improve the lives of the neurodiverse community. Created on the pillars of education, exploration, and empowerment, Project Illuminate’s emphasis on STEM, and workshops related to the field, reflect its goals for bettering our society. The STEM workshops introduce a variety of educational topics that equip neurodivergent individuals with a love for learning that expands into the world. Project Illuminate’s workshop series allows neurodivergent individuals to study various science topics that inspire them to hone their potential in unique fields, empower them to pursue higher education, and encourage them to share their perspective through their contribution to STEM. Feel free to sign up for these workshops on our “Register” page!
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