Matthew Zakreski

Spotting Neurodivergence in the Wild: A Guide to Supporting Differently Wired People

This workshop will focus on broader neurodiversity and how neurodivergent and neurotypical people differ. There are neurodivergent people (people with different brains, like those who are ADHD, gifted, Autistic, Dyslexia, etc.) in all lines of work, from the students in classrooms to C-suite members in the boardrooms, so we all must see ourselves as neurodiversity-affirming if we are going to get the best from our charges. When we ground our work with people in neuropsychology, our understanding of our behaviors, social skills, learning styles, and emotional regulation drastically changes for the better. Neurodivergence is both a vital lens to serve and see people through, but it also represents a broader social justice movement that extends far beyond the areas where we interact. We must work with the people we have, not the people we wish we had. Accepting that reality not only creates a happier workplace, but also more content and engaged stakeholders. When we meet our people where they are and work with them to play to their strengths and develop their weaknesses, they not only feel better, but they do better too.

Attendee Results:

• Participants gain a working knowledge of what is neurotypical and what is neurodivergent, as well as practical examples of what that looks like in the real world.
• Participants understand and practice the concrete steps anyone can take to become more neurodivergent-affirming in their personal and professional lives.
• Participants develop a menu of accommodations that allow the people they serve to better play to their strengths and minimize their weaknesses.
• Participants connect neurodiversity to both social justice movements and broader Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work.