“Neurodiversity Goes to College” Highlights

1. Neurodiversity 101

  • Take a deep dive into cognitive profiles of neurodivergent college students.

  • Understand the strengths and challenges associated with various neurotypes, including autistic, ADHD and dyslexic.

  • Develop awareness and empathy through interactive activities and case examples.

2. Communication: Insight into Action

  • Learn about distinct communication styles and corresponding support needs in neurodivergent students.

  • Explore effective communication strategies for outreach and engagement.

  • Practice skills for connecting with diverse learners in meaningful ways.

3. Mental Health on Campus

  • Understand the relationship between personal struggles and systemic barriers.

  • Gain insights into common mental health struggles neurodivergent students face and discover the role of intersectionality. 

  • Learn about masking and burnout’s impact on mental health.

  • Share and reflect on experiences through guided discussions.

4. Proactive Intervention Strategies

  • Gain insight into subtle signs of struggle in students.

  • Learn and practice effective intervention techniques through hands-on exercises.

  • Engage in scenario-based troubleshooting to turn insights into action.

5. Creating Sensory-Friendly Spaces

  • Tak a deep dive into the sensory issues of various neurotypes.

  • Understand the importance of quiet zones and designated break spaces for student well-being.

  • Collaborate on practical solutions to innovate inclusive spaces on campus.

6. Tailored Accommodations

  • Collaborate with colleagues to generate personalized support plans for case study students.

  • Learn the ins and outs of the most common accommodations and how to implement them effectively.

  • Engage in problem-solving scenarios to address when students are not accessing accommodations.

7. Fostering Social Inclusion

  • Brainstorm activities/ enlist student surveys to promote social connections among neurodivergent students.

  • Support task switching from academics to social time.

  • Learn strategies to encourage interaction and community engagement.

  • Develop initiatives that foster a sense of belonging within the campus community.

8. Empowerment through Self-Advocacy

  • Learn how to support advocacy efforts for neurodivergent students.

  • Explore scenarios that promote interdependence in academic settings.

  • Foster confidence by validating divergent thinking in the classroom.

9.  Teaching outside the Box 

  • Participate in team-building exercises that generate innovative ideas for supporting neurodivergent students.

  • Learn to harness student neurodivergent strengths on campus and in the classroom.

  • Incorporate universal design into lessons to increase access to all neurotypes.

The training aims to equip college staff with practical skills and knowledge to effectively support neurodivergent students academically, socially, and emotionally throughout their college experience.