Congratulations Admitted Students!
The Stanford Neurodiversity Project offers a free, comprehensive Neurodiverse Student Support Program (NSSP). Incoming freshmen have the opportunity to move in early through our Neurodiversity Transition Orientation. Visit the Student Support page for more information.
Interested in our program? Fill out the interest form below and a member of our team will contact you with more information.
What is Neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity is a concept that regards individuals with differences in brain function and behavioral traits as part of normal variation in the human population.
The movement of Neurodiversity is about uncovering the strengths of neurodiverse individuals and utilizing their talents to increase innovation and productivity of the society as a whole.
Key Objectives
- Establish a culture that treasures the strengths of neurodiverse individual
- Empower neurodiverse individuals to build their identity and enhance their long-term skills of daily living throughout the lifespan
- Attract talented neurodiverse individuals to study and work at Stanford
- Train talented individuals to serve the neurodiverse population
- Disseminate the Stanford Neurodiversity Model locally, nationally, and internationally
- Maximize the potential of neurodiversity
Our First Newsletter Is Here!
Featured Story:
Perpetually in Character: Diagnosed with Autism at Age 19, Isabelle Morris Shares Her Story
Click the link below to read about our current initiatives, programs news, and the featured story.
Quick Links Featuring the Stanford Neurodiversity Project in the Media:
Mar March 05 Thu 2020
The Stanford Neurodiversity Project, with Dr. Lawrence Fung - Different Brains®
Hackie Reitman, M.D.
Jan January 11 Sat 2020
Neurodiversity is Strength! The Power of Neurodiversity in School and at Work
Location: India Autism Center, Kolkata, India
Dec December 07 Sat 2019
Oct October 17 Thu 2019
Hiring neurodiverse people like me can give companies a competitive advantage - The Washington Post
Haley Moss, Esq
Jun June 27 Thu 2019
Tech Companies Lead the Way in Hiring People with Autism: What Can We Learn From Them? - Triple Pundit
Laura Wise
Current and Upcoming Events
Apr April 06 Mon 2020
Special Seminar, Stanford Neurodiversity Project
Title: Life Interrupted: Managing Stress and Anxiety during a Global Pandemic
Speaker: Janie Hong, Ph.D.
Location: Zoom ONLY
Apr April 20 Mon 2020
Meeting of the Special Interest Group for Neurodiversity
Title: Fighting For Our Different Brains
Speaker: Hackie Reitman, M.D., Different Brains
Location: Zoom ONLY
Apr April 30 Thu 2020
India Autism Center Webinars
Title: Dealing with Stress and Anxiety during the Pandemic
Speaker: Lawrence Fung, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University
May May 16 Sat 2020
21st Century Dads
SFN Zoom Conference - For Dads raising children with special needs
Visit here for more information and registration.
May May 18 Mon 2020
Meeting of the Special Interest Group for Neurodiversity
Title: Neurodiversity Housing
Speaker: Ashley Kim, Elevare Community
Location: Zoom ONLY
May May 21 Thu 2020
The Matthew Foundation COVID-19 Virtual Series in collaboration with the Stanford Down Syndrome Research Center
Title: COVID-19'S Impact on Present and Future Services and Plicy for the Down Syndrome and I/DD Community.
Time: 1pm PST
Speakers: Nicole Jorwic and Jordan Lindsey
Register at: https://tinyurl.com/y8p2xdjt
THE MATTHEW FOUNDATION
COVID-19 VIRTUAL SERIES
in collaboration with the Stanford Down Syndrome Research Center
Nicole Jorwic, Sr. Director, Public Policy, The Arc (National)
Jun June 15 Mon 2020
Meeting of the Special Interest Group for Neurodiversity
Speakers:
Peter DeHaas, San Francisco Disability Business Alliance
Lawrence Fung, Stanford Neurodiversity Project
Location: 1520 Page Mill Road, Room 117
Jun June 16 - 30 Tue-Tue 2020
Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology AVirtual Conference 2020
Speakers:
Valentina Bruk-Lee, Ph.D., Florida International University; Susanne Bruyere, Ph.D., Cornell University; Nancy Doyle, Ph.D., City University of London; Lawrence Fung, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University; Eric Patten, Ph.D., St. Joseph's University
Title: Diamond in the rough? Neurodiversity inclusion in practice.
Jul July 20 Mon 2020
Meeting of the Special Interest Group for Neurodiversity
Speaker: Tiffany Jameson, Grit and Flow
Location: 1520 Page Mill Road, Room 117
Aug August 07 Fri 2020
University College Dublin ACAP COVID-19 Summer School Webinar Series
Title: Neurodiversity and the Impact of COVID-19
Speaker: Lawrence Fung, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University
Aug August 17 Mon 2020
Meeting of the Special Interest Group for Neurodiversity
Speaker: Maisie Soetantyo, M. Ed., Relationship Development Intervention (R) Certified Consultant
Location: 1520 Page Mill Road, Room 117
Aug August 29 Sat 2020
Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN)
Speaker: Lawrence Fung, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University
Location: 1029 S Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA 95128
Sep September 21 Mon 2020
Meeting of the Special Interest Group for Neurodiversity
Speakers: Lauren Rettagliata and Mark Rettagliata
Location: 1520 Page Mill Road, Room 117
Oct October 06 Tue 2020
Psychiatry Grand Rounds, University of California at San Francisco
Speaker: Lawrence Fung, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University
Location: UCSF Parnasus Campus, San Francisco, CA
Oct October 19 Mon 2020
Meeting of the Special Interest Group for Neurodiversity
Speaker: Sara Rankin, Ph.D., Imperial College, London, UK
Location: 1520 Page Mill Road, Room 117
Nov November 16 Mon 2020
Meeting of the Special Interest Group for Neurodiversity
Speaker: Emily Rothman, PhD, Boston University; Jamil Karriem, Hiki
Location: 1520 Page Mill Road, Room 117
Dec December 21 Mon 2020
Meeting of the Special Interest Group for Neurodiversity
Speaker: Jenara Nerenberg, author of Divergent Mind
Location: 1520 Page Mill Road, Room 117
Jan January 25 Mon 2021
Meeting of the Special Interest Group for Neurodiversity
Marcelle Ciampi and David Hall of NeuroGuides
Location: 1520 Page Mill Road, Room 117
Past Events
New Courses:
PSYC 229 - Topics in Neurodiversity:
Introduction and Advocacy
This year long course over three quarters will provide students with the foundation, knowledge and essential skills for understanding, engaging with and advocating for the neurodiverse population. In addition, this course will also cover topics including social communication strategies, navigating social relationships, self-regulation, asking for accommodations and support in career development.
2019-2020
- PSYC 229A | 1 units | Class # 30988 | Section 01 | Grading: Medical Satisfactory/No Credit | SEM | Students enrolled: 8
09/23/2019 - 12/06/2019 Mon 1:30 PM - 2:20 PM at 320-109 with Fung, L. (PI); Sperry, L. (PI) - PSYC 229B | 1 units | Class # 31463 | Section 01 | Grading: Medical Satisfactory/No Credit | SEM
01/06/2020 - 03/13/2020 Mon 1:30 PM - 2:20 PM with Fung, L. (PI); Sperry, L. (PI) - PSYC 229C | 1 units | Class # 31614 | Section 01 | Grading: Medical Satisfactory/No Credit | SEM
03/30/2020 - 06/03/2020 Mon 1:30 PM - 2:20 PM with Fung, L. (PI); Sperry, L. (PI)
PSYC 223B - Topics in Neurodiversity:
Design Thinking Approaches
The course provides essential background about neurodiversity, the design thinking process and the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to guide students in developing projects that maximize the potential of neurodiversity. Through case studies, field trips, guest speakers, and community engagement, students will explore approaches to maximizing inclusivity in realms such as education, employment, community and beyond. Students will use their knowledge to design and develop (or revising and enhance) processes, systems, experiences and/or products to maximize inclusivity and the potential of neurodiverse individuals. Based on student's interests and areas of focus, projects may include digital tool development such as app concept and design, redesign of standard processes such as job interviews/ candidate evaluations, design and development of physical products or spaces such as sensory-sensitive dorm rooms, "stim tools" and more. This course will meet for two hours on Wednesdays for all students; students taking this course for 4 units will also attend "lab hours" on Mondays to support with project development. This course is open to undergraduate and graduate students in all schools.
2019-2020 Winter
- PSYC 223B | 2-4 units | Class # 32101 | Section 01
01/06/2020 - 03/13/2020 Mon, Wed 9:30 AM - 11:20 AM with Lawrence Fung, MD, PhD (PI)