In this comprehensive workshop, we begin by examining the words we use - dispelling outdated terminology and adopting inclusive language that honors everyone’s lived experience. You’ll deepen your understanding of neurodiversity as a cultural and biological variation, then reflect on how societal attitudes can unintentionally exclude or judge those who think differently.

Next, we’ll unpack executive functioning - what it is, why it matters in work and daily life, and how executive dysfunction can affect neurodiverse colleagues and students. You’ll practice identifying accommodations and supports that help people manage planning, organization, time management, and self-regulation. We’ll weave in sensory neurodiversity, exploring how sensory processing intersects with executive challenges and learning differences, and brainstorm ways to adapt environments so everyone can thrive.

Throughout the workshop, you’ll engage with real-world scenarios that highlight common barriers - whether it’s asking for help, sharing a neurodiverse perspective, or navigating unwritten workplace rules. By addressing your own biases and assumptions, you’ll cultivate genuine empathy and curiosity. Interactive group work will guide you to develop concrete strategies for inclusive recruitment, teaching, onboarding, or team collaboration.

We will close by anchoring your learning with a brief reflection: “What’s one insight you’re taking with you?” and “What will you change after today?” You’ll leave equipped not only to become an active ally and advocate, but also to embed neurodiversity-affirming practices in your sphere of influence - transforming classrooms, offices, and communities into places where every mind matters.

Examining language and terminology

• Dispelling outdated terms
• Adopting inclusive language that honors lived experience

Understanding neurodiversity

• Recognizing cultural and biological variations
• Reflecting on societal attitudes that exclude or judge

Unpacking executive functioning

• Defining executive skills and their role in work and daily life
• Exploring the impact of executive dysfunction on colleagues and students

Identifying accommodations and supports

• Planning, organization, time management, self-regulation strategies
• Co-designing individualized tools and adjustments

Exploring sensory neurodiversity

• Linking sensory processing with executive challenges and learning differences
• Brainstorming environmental adaptations for inclusive spaces

Engaging with real-world scenarios

• Navigating help-seeking, sharing neurodiverse perspectives, and unwritten rules
• Highlighting common barriers to inclusion

Addressing biases and assumptions

• Cultivating genuine empathy and curiosity
• Challenging personal and organizational mindsets

Interactive group work

• Crafting concrete strategies for inclusive recruitment and onboarding
• Designing accessible teaching methods and team-collaboration practices

Reflection and action planning

• “What’s one insight you’re taking with you?”
• “What will you change after today?”
• Embedding neurodiversity-affirming practices in classrooms, offices, and communities

Upon completion of this course, learners are able to:

• Define and apply inclusive language that honors neurodiverse experiences.
• Explain neurodiversity as both a cultural and biological variation.
• Identify how societal attitudes and biases can exclude or judge neurodiverse individuals.
• Describe core executive functions and recognize signs of executive dysfunction in colleagues and students.
• Select and implement practical accommodations for planning, organization, time management, and self-regulation.
• Analyze sensory processing differences and design environment adaptations to support diverse sensory needs.
• Navigate real-world inclusion barriers, such as unwritten rules and help-seeking challenges, through scenario practice.
• Challenge personal and organizational biases to cultivate genuine empathy and curiosity.
• Develop concrete strategies for inclusive recruitment, teaching, onboarding, and team collaboration.
• Craft a personal action plan, identifying one key insight and one change to embed neurodiversity-affirming practices in my sphere of influence.

Hands-on exercises and real-world scenarios