STANFORD NEURODIVERSITY SUMMIT 2023

Day 2 Program and Speakers

Please note that times shown below are in Pacific Time Zone.

DAY 2 - Monday, October 2, 2023

8:30 AM-9:00 AM Introduction to DIVERSE (Developing Inclusive and Vocational Education and Resouces for Success in Employment)

Lawrence Fung, MD, PhD

Director, Stanford Neurodiversity Project

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

Dr. Lawrence Fung is a scientist and psychiatrist specialized in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the father of a neurodiverse teenager with ASD. He is the director of the Stanford Neurodiversity Project, which strives to uncover the strengths of neurodiverse individuals and utilize their talents to increase innovation and productivity of the society as a whole. He directs the Neurodiverse Student Support Program, Neurodiversity at Work Program (recently funded by Autism Speaks), and Adult Neurodevelopment Clinic at Stanford. Dr. Fung is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. His lab advances the understanding of neural bases of human socio-communicative and cognitive functions by using novel neuroimaging and technologies. His team devise and implement novel interventions to improve the lives of neurodiverse individuals by maximizing their potential and productivity. For example, he is conducting a study to demonstrate that specialized employment programs such as Neurodiversity at Work program will result in higher retention rates and quality of life.

Rachel VanDaalen, Ph.D.

Postdoc Scholar, Fung Lab, Stanford University

Rachel VanDaalen is a postdoctoral scholar for the Stanford Neurodiversity Project. She earned her PhD in Counseling Psychology from Arizona State University. She is interested in researching how marginalized individuals—especially people with disabilities, LGBTQ, and multiply marginalized populations—respond to social and cultural stressors, as well as how these responses are related to one's understanding of one's identity.

Lyrid Zhao, PhD

Postdoc Scholar, Fung Lab, Stanford University

9:00 AM-9:45 AM Keynote Presentation: Neurodiversity in the K-12 Classroom: Creating Positive Niches. Thomas Armstrong, PhD, Executive Director, The American Institute for Learning and Human Development

Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D.

Executive Director,

American Institute for Learning and Human Development

Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D. is the executive director of The Institute for Learning and Human Development, and is the author of twenty books including Neurodiversity in the Classroom, 7 Kinds of Smart, The Myth of the ADHD Child, and The Power of Neurodiversity. There are over 1.4 million copies of his books in English in addition to over one hundred foreign editions in thirty languages worldwide. He has written for Ladies Home Journal, Family Circle, The AMA Journal of Ethics, and many other periodicals, journals, and edited books. He has appeared on several national and international television and radio programs, including NBC’s “The Today Show,” “CBS This Morning,” “CNN,” the “BBC” and “The Voice of America.” Articles featuring his work have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, USA Today, Investor’s Business Daily, Good Housekeeping, and hundreds of other newspapers and magazines around the country. He has given over one thousand keynotes, workshop presentations, and lectures on six continents in twenty nine countries and forty four states over the past thirty seven years. His website is: https://institute4learning.com. He can be reached by email at: thomas@institute4learning.com.

9:45 AM-10:30 AM Keynote Presentation: Radical Accessibility: From Schools to the Stars. Link, JD, LLM, Political Analyst, Autistic Self Advocacy Network

AJ Link

Policy Analyst

Autistic Self Advocacy Network

AJ Link (he/him) is openly autistic. He received his JD from The George Washington University Law School and his LL.M in Space Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law. He is the inaugural director of The Center for Air and Space Law Task Force on Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in Aerospace and an adjunct professor of space law at Howard University School of Law. AJ works as a research director for the Jus Ad Astra project and previously served as the Communications Director for AstroAccess. He is the Space Law and Policy Chair for Black in Astro and was the founding president of the National Disabled Law Students Association. He also helped found the National Disabled Legal Professionals Association and is a commissioner on the American Bar Association Commission on Disability Rights. AJ is a policy analyst for the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. He has been actively involved with disability advocacy in the Washington, DC area and nationally within the United States. He serves on several advisory boards and steering committees that focus on disability advocacy and broader social justice movements.

10:30 AM-11:15 AM Keynote Presentation: Participatory Research & the Power of Systems Change. Raymaker, PhD, Research Associate Professor, Portland State University

Dora M. Raymaker, PhD.

Research Associate Professor

Portland State University

Dora M. Raymaker, Ph.D., is a Research Associate Professor at Portland State University’s Regional Research Institute for Human Services in the School of Social Work, Co-director of the Academic Autism Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE), and an editor for the journal Autism in Adulthood. Dr. Raymaker’s research interests broadly include systems thinking, action research, measurement, and the dynamics at the intersection of society, disability, and technology. In application, Dr. Raymaker conducts intervention and services research in collaboration with disability communities to improve employment outcomes and reduce discrimination and stigma. In their remaining three minutes of free time, they enjoy writing fiction and making multimedia art, including science fiction novels Hoshi and the Red City Circuit and Resonance.

11:15 PM-12:15 PM Neurodiversity Resources Building 2

Neurodiversity Resources Building 2

Lawrence Fung, MD, PhD

Director, Stanford Neurodiversity Project

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

12:15 PM - 1:00 PM Performance 2: Artist + Activist + Pioneer. Emmett Kyoshi, Abstract Impressionist

Artist + Activist + Pioneer. Emmett Kyoshi, Abstract Impressionist

Moderator: Robin Schader (Bridges Academy)

Emmett Kyoshi

Artist

Emmett Kyoshi Wilson, 18, is an award-winning Artist and Inclusion Pioneer advocating for people with unique abilities through his art. As a Chicago-based artist with Down syndrome, Emmett has created over 95 abstract pieces featured in four gallery showings over the last five years, including a commission to paint the American Flag for the American Embassy in Croatia. In 2021, he was commissioned to paint Optimizely’s new logo by using his creative vision to harness brand awareness. Since 2017, he has raised over $95,000.00 in donations through auctioned pieces to charities such as the National Association for Down Syndrome, The Jackson Chance Foundation, The Greater Chicago Food Depository and other charitable organizations. Along with his website and social media presence, Emmett continues to raise awareness and understanding about people with Down Syndrome and other abilities. He has been featured as a young creator in Disney’s Diversity and Inclusion Initiative "Reimagine Tomorrow", Adobe Max’s 2021 Virtual Conference and "In The Know" by Yahoo.

His internationally acclaimed art is available for purchase as originals and signed giclee or canvas prints. Emmett Kyoshi is changing the landscape for artists with unique abilities and loves to collaborate with others in the industry such as Matthew Hoffman, founder and curator of the renowned, “You are Beautiful” project. As an artist whose mission is to spread messages about inclusion and ability, Emmett's Mantra echoes the words of Dr. Seuss: "Why Fit In When We Are Born to Stand Out."

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Lunch Break and Exhibitor Hour

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Listening Session (Sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank)

Neurodiversity at Work Listening Session

This is the second year Stephen Destefani and Wells Fargo Bank have sponsored the Neurodiversity at Work Listening Session at the Stanford Neurodiversity Summit.

The primary objective of this session is to ask the neurodiverse community about what they need and want at the workplace.

A secondary objective is determining what works for the neurodiverse community in employment settings. We hope that we can generate actionable items from this session. We envision this listening session will be held yearly for several years at the Stanford Neurodiversity Summit. We hope that the actionable items identified this year can be followed through by the panelists, who will present their progress in next year’s listening session.

Stephen A DeStefani

SVP, Technology Diverse Segments, Representation & Inclusion

Wells Fargo Bank.

Stephen is the Global Program Executive for the Wells Fargo Neurodiversity Program. The program is committed to create meaningful employment opportunities for a deeply underserved community through accessible and modernized sourcing, selection and onboarding processes. This capability will allow Wells Fargo to establish strategic advantage through access to highly skilled, largely untapped talent pools. The program also delivers education and employee focused outcomes aimed at enriching the lives and experiences of our employees by creating strong support structures that foster well-being, enhanced accommodations, equity and inclusion.

Michael Fieldhouse

Director, Emerging Business and Cyber Security, DXC Technology

Dandelion Program Executive

As leader of DXC’s Social Impact Practice, Michael works with clients and the community to develop and run programs that benefit individuals and society. Focus areas include neurodiversity, veterans, disability, indigenous employment and climate change.

Michael has over 20 years' experience in strategy, change management and cyber security in the ICT industry and has worked extensively with private organisations and the Australian government.

In 2014, Michael identified that many people with autism have an eye for detecting patterns, making them uniquely qualified to make contributions to technology teams. In partnership with the Department of Human Services in Adelaide, Michael initiated the DXC Dandelion Program to provide skilled employment for people living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Through Michael’s leadership, the Program has since expanded to other government departments and private organisations, and today employs over 100 people on the autism spectrum.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Technology, a Master of Business Administration and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. He has been appointed by La Trobe University as Adjunct Professor in cyber security, and an advisor to Dow Jones and the Wall Street Journal.

Hiren Shukla

Automation & Innovation/Neuro-diverse CoE Leader, Enst & Young

Hiren’s experience spans more than 20 years across the fields of accounting, strategy, automation, innovation and information technology. He currently leads the internal automation and innovation at Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) and is the founder of Neuro-Diverse Centers of Excellence at EY US. Hiren helps unlock human potential to drive innovation across emerging technology, blockchain, AI, cybersecurity and analytics.

Hiren has helped to lead the EY Global intelligent automation hub, Automation Central, which has built more than 2,000 digital assets for the global organization, helping drive innovation across emerging technology and building the foundation for harnessing data for machine learning and predictive analytics.

Hiren is the strategic link at EY US, responsible for converting the neurodiversity inclusiveness effort into commercial application for exceptional client service and tangible ROI. His efforts allow EY US to bring this innovation model to its largest clients, and to rapidly open additional Neuro-Diverse Centers of Excellence across their global footprint.

Samples of notable media coverage of Hiren are as follows (a full list is available on request):

Bloomberg “Walk the Talk”: How EY Is Tapping Into Autistic Talent (4/27/18)
Business Insider: An EY exec successfully pitched a new hiring initiative to his boss — and you can use the same strategy to convince your manager of anything (7/8/19)
Chicago Tribune: “We don’t care about the eye contact.” Autistic people thrive in Chicago tech jobs after years of underemployment (6/11/19)
WSJ Pro: People With Autism Are Hot Hires for AI Jobs (8/1/19)

Diane Delaney

Global D&I Leader, People with Diverse Abilities including Neurodiversity

As the Global Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Leader supporting the People with Diverse Abilities (PwDA) including Neurodiversity, Diane plans, implements, and executes D&I initiatives that create signature experiences and inspiring programs for employees around the globe. These journeys are delivered in partnership with key stake holders to improve engagement and development opportunities enabling our employees to achieve their career aspirations. Diane builds upon IBM's legacy of excellence, focusing on enabling employees and leaders to be their true selves at work while accelerating IBM's business growth.

Judy Reilly

Director, Center for Neurodiversity and Employment Innovation, University of Connecticut

Judy Reilly is the Director of the Center for Neurodiversity and Employment Innovation at the University of Connecticut, a national academic center that has as its mission addressing the challenge of underemployment of cognitively talented neurodivergent individuals, especially early career. The center focuses its work on 3 primary pillars of activity: employer education and training, university programming in career readiness of ND students, and research that drives evidence-based knowledge of best practices for candidate pathways and employer practices.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Employment Panel. Keeping the Job/Keeping the Talent Panel 1. Michael Bjornson (Aspiritech), Fu Chen (Rangam), Maxwell Huffman (Aspiritech), Geetanjali Moorjani MBA (Rangam)

Getting the Job / Recruiting the Talent

Moderators: Cole Hasserjian (Workday), Lawrence Fung, MD, PhD (Stanford)

Objectives:

1. Providing leaders with effective strategies to facilitate supportive environments for neurodiverse individuals to thrive in the workplace.

2. Preparing people managers to work effectively with neurodiverse talent.

3. Provide Neurodiverse perspectives on strategies on how to best work with managers.

Brent Hornig

QA Lead

Aspiritech

I am a Software Quality Assurance Lead at Aspiritech. I have always had an interest in computers, software , and development. I enjoy the challenge of working with early stage development software and leading a mostly nerodiverse team. It is rewarding to see products we work with make it to market and giving my team tools to succeed.

Geetanjali M

EVP Global Talent Acquisition & Fulfillment

Rangam

Geetanjali is a highly accomplished and visionary talent leader with an exceptional track record of crafting and executing innovative solutions to meet present and future people demands. Her unwavering commitment to inclusion and diversity drives her to leverage data analytics in understanding internal and external talent trends. Her forte lies in forging strong partnerships with Talent Management and People & Culture teams, enabling seamless execution of pivotal talent processes such as talent acquisition & management, employee engagement, performance management, talent review, and succession planning. As a strategic thought leader, Geetanjali has successfully defined, implemented, and steered organizational development and talent strategies. She is the driving force behind the establishment of a highly effective Total Talent Center of Excellence (CoE) that anticipates and fulfills future talent requirements through adeptly crafted trends, processes, and management initiatives. She is equally skilled in leading global talent attraction and retention endeavors, effectively communicating with business leaders and stakeholders, and nurturing and empowering her core team of recruitment professionals. Geetanjali prides herself on building diverse and exceptionally skilled talent acquisition teams, championing the cause of underrepresented and underserved groups. Her leadership has seen the successful implementation of various inclusion & diversity initiatives and external workforce programs to cater to current and future talent needs.

Maxwell M Huffman

Senior Quality Assurance Program Manager

Aspiritech

Maxwell is the Senior Quality Assurance Program Manager for Aspiritech, a nonprofit organization who’s mission is to provide meaningful employment to Autistic and Neurodiverse individuals. Being on the Autism Spectrum himself, Maxwell brings a unique perspective to the conversation of Autism acceptance in the workplace

Fu Chen

HR and Business Support Administrator

Rangam

Fu is the HR and Business Support Administrator at Rangam Consuultants Inc., a global consultancy providing traditional, disability, and neurodiversity staffing with a focus on helping employers' inclusive hiring practices. Fu was diagnosed with ADHD and autism as an adult. Awareness of his neurodivergence has empowered Fu with a greater sense of dignity and agency.

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Mental Health Panel 2. Systems Approach. Eva A. Mendes LMHC, NCC, Debra Vines (The Answer Inc)

Mental Health Panel 2: Systems Approach

Moderators: Beth Grady, MD (San Mateo Medical Center), Lyrid Zhao PhD (Stanford)

Objectives:

1. Explore access and barriers to mental health related resources by service users.

2. Explore how service providers and caregivers can better understand and work with neurodiverse individuals.

3. Share thoughts on building a community that’s inclusive of all neurodiverse people.

Eva A. Mendes, LMHC NCC

Psychotherapist and Author

Autism and ADHD specialist

Eva A. Mendes is a sought after autism specialist, author, psychotherapist and couples’ counselor. Her clients usually are couples where one or both partners have Asperger Syndrome (diagnosed or suspected), women, young adults, and autistic LGBTQ individuals as well. Her client profile includes: adults with ASD, ADHD, and gifted individuals. Originally from Mumbai, India, Eva is inspired to work with individuals and couples from a wide variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. She began training in autism spectrum disorders and related profiles from the very beginning of her career at the Asperger/Autism Network also known as AANE. She’s also been involved in autism research and is the author of book: Marriage and Lasting Relationships with Asperger’s Syndrome, as well as co-author of Gender, Sexuality and Autism: Voices from Across the Spectrum. She also authors the blog, Heart of Autism, on Psychology Today. Her website is www.eva-mendes.com. Her email is eva@eva-mendes.com

Debra Vines

CEO

The Answers Inc.

Debra Vines knows too well and understands the importance of advocacy, community involvement and partnership as her son Jason was diagnosed with Autism at 18 months. In response, she founded The Answer, Inc., in 2007, a NFP organization that assist parents and caregivers in navigating through the systems of social services and academic institutions by providing: case management/referral services, recreation, and resources for families with individuals having Autism or other developmental disorders. She also knows just how important it is to sincerely give selflessly to promote and create change in the lives of persons with Autism and other disabilities. Her greatest accomplishment has been to watch the families that she has aided reach milestones that were once told would be unobtainable. • Erikson Institute, Fellow/Policy Writer • CNN Hero Top 10 • Co-Author “Disrupting The Status Quo • Co-Host of 1390am Brunch Bunch Show • State Appointed Autism Task Force Member • State Appointed Department of Education for Disabled Children Member • Department of Defense (Autism), Peer Reviewer • Leader Senator Kimberly Lightford Women Committee

4:00 - 4:30 PM Break

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Higher Education Panel 2. Spotlighting and Learning from the Struggle for Disability Accessibility in Brazil. Guilherme de Almeida (National Association for the Inclusion of Autistic People in Brazil), José Eduardo Lanuti PhD (Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul), Arthur Ataide Ferreira Garcia (National Association for the Inclusion of Autistic People in Brazil)

Higher Education Panel 2: Spotlighting and Learning from the Struggle for Disability Accessibility in Brazil. Guilherme de Almeida (National Association for the Inclusion of Autistic People in Brazil), José Eduardo Lanuti PhD (Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul), Arthur Ataide Ferreira Garcia (National Association for the Inclusion of Autistic People in Brazil)

Moderators: Liana Alston (Howard Law), Kyle McKinley (Stanford)

Objectives:

1. The main objective of this panel is to provide an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing higher education in Brazil. Participants should leave the panel with a clear view of the obstacles these people face in their pursuit of higher education.

2. Identify Effective Strategies for Promoting Accessibility:Another important objective is to identify and discuss effective strategies and practices that have been successfully implemented in Brazil to improve accessibility in higher education. Speakers should share valuable insights about successful initiatives and how these approaches can be applied in other contexts.

3. Promote Awareness about Neurodiversity and Inclusion:In addition to discussing accessibility itself, a broader objective of this panel is to promote awareness about neurodiversity and the importance of including people with disabilities in the academic environment. Participants should leave the panel with a deeper understanding of the diversity of capabilities and the need to create inclusive and welcoming environments.

Jose Eduardo de Oliveira Evangelista Lanuti, PhD

Professor

Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul

Professor do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação e dos cursos de Licenciatura da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Três Lagoas, Brasil. Presidente da Comissão Multidisciplinar de Acessibilidade da mesma instituição. Coordena o Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas em Inclusão (NEPI / UFMS) e é pesquisador do Laboratório de Estudos e Pesquisas em Ensino e Diferença (LEPED) da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Brasil, onde concluiu o Doutorado em Educação em 2019. É Mestre em Educação e licenciado em Pedagogia e em Matemática. Atua como parecerista da Revista Brasileira de Educação (RBE), da Revista Brasileira de Educação Especial (RBEE), da Revista Polyphonia do Centro Latinoamericano de Inclusão (CELEI), do Chile, dentre outras.

Arthur Ataide Ferreira Garcia

Medical Student

National Association for the Inclusion of Autistic People in Brazil

Arthur Ataide is a medical student at Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, an activist, and the Director of Affirmative Actions at the National Association for the Inclusion of Autistic People in Brazil. He is autistic and has been dedicated to making the right to diagnosis and ensuring the rights of autistic individuals more accessible. With determination and resilience, Arthur was approved in the medical entrance exam after simulating the experience in his own room, overcoming sensory and concentration challenges. His goal is to become a psychiatrist who understands and explains the importance of understanding autistic individuals. With his inspiring journey, Arthur aims to promote inclusion and bring about change within the field of psychiatry.

Guilherme de Almeida Prazeres

CEO

National Association for the Inclusion of Autistic People in Brazil

Gui de Almeida is a PhD candidate and Master of Education from the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), standing out for his tireless work in favor of the inclusion of autistic individuals. With a Bachelor's degree in Law from the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), he brings extensive experience and a deep commitment to promoting significant changes in the field of education. In addition to his academic achievements, he excels as a professor, having taught in various specialization and postgraduate courses. His passion for sharing knowledge and inspiring other professionals has led him to develop and coordinate specialization courses and extracurricular activities in the areas of Inclusive Education and Human Rights. His dedication to the inclusion of autistic individuals goes beyond the classroom. He is the founder of the Autistic Collective of UNICAMP and the current president of the National Association for the Inclusion of Autistic People/BR. Through these initiatives, he seeks to raise awareness and ensure rights for autistic individuals, promoting a more inclusive and welcoming society. His commitment to inclusion is also recognized internationally. His expertise and perspective are crucial in driving changes in the field of neurodiversity, aiming to create more accessible and inclusive educational and professional environments. With a dynamic vision and unwavering determination, Guilherme continues to work tirelessly to promote the inclusion of autistic individuals, transforming lives and building a more equal and welcoming future for all.

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM K-12 Panel 2. K-12: Strengths-Based Approaches for K-12 Education. Heba Jayoosi (Mayflower Primary School, University College London), Matt Fugate (Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education), Rachel Lambert PhD (UC Santa Barbara)

K-12 Panel 2: Strengths-Based Approaches for School. Heba Jayoosi (Mayflower Primary School, University College London), Matt Fugate (Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education), Rachel Lambert PhD (UC Santa Barbara)

Moderators: Rachel Shuck (UC Santa Barbara), Lauren Pearson (University of Toronto)

Objectives:

1. Learn how to identify student strengths by integrating these attributes into classroom design and academic curriculums.

2. Explore ways to allow students to have a choice in how they show mastery and learn how to effectively scaffold challenge areas

3. Consider how to work with preservice teachers, families, and other professionals to leverage student strengths.

Heba Jayoosi

Assistant Headteacher, Mayflower Primary School,

Inclusion and Research Lead, PhD Student, University College London

Heba is the Assistant Headteacher and inclusion and research leader at London's Mayflower Primary School. Named as The Sunday Times School of the year 2023, Mayflower is currently the highest attaining primary school in England. Heba has taught in inner London primary schools since 2007, and holds a Masters in Special and Inclusive Education from University College London Institute of Education (IOE) . As a specialist leader, Heba also provides support to schools locally and more widely through her secondment role as a deputy regional lead at Whole School SEND, National Association of Special Educational Needs (NASEN). Heba is passionate about research and implementing innovative practice. She has secured funding for a variety of school projects including the use of sensory integration to provide whole class support for children aged 3-7 years and helping children with sapecial educational needs improve their recall strategies. She was awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship in 2019 to look at inclusive practices in mainstream schools in New York for autistic pupils. She subsequently received another grant from the same trust to pilot a project at her school on the use of flexible seating in collaboration with the Centre of Research in Autism Education (CRAE), UCL. Heba is also a PHD student at CRAE (Centre for Research in Autism Education) UCL , exploring the collaboration of caregivers of autistic children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds with school professionals.

C. Matthew Fugate, PhD

Provost and Chief Academic Officer

Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education

Matthew Fugate, Ph. D., is Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education. He received his doctorate in Gifted, Creative, and Talented Studies from Purdue University. His research interests include twice-exceptional students and students from underrepresented populations. He has presented to audiences nationally and internationally on a variety of topics including twice exceptionality, creativity, and culturally responsive practice in gifted education. Matthew is the President-Elect of the Texas Association for Gifted and Talented (TAGT) and has held a variety of leadership roles in the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). He has received the Dr. Marcia L. Gentry Special Populations Early Career Award from the NAGC Special Populations Network and was named one of Variations magazine’s “22 People to Watch in the Neurodiversity Movement”. Matthew serves as the Associate Editor of Teaching for High Potential and has published several articles, book chapters, and books related to his work.

Rachel Lambert, PhD

Associate Professor

UC Santa Barbara

Dr. Rachel Lambert is an Associate Professor in Special Education and Mathematics Education at the University of California Santa Barbara. Before becoming a researcher, she worked for over 10 years as both a special education and a general education inclusion teacher. Dr. Lambert researches emotion and identity in mathematics classrooms, particularly for neurodiverse students of color. She has designed a specifically mathematical version of Universal Design for Learning that integrates Design Thinking (UDL Math). Other current work includes designing agentic intervention through non-digital games. She tweets at @mathematize4all. You can find her work on mathematizing4all.com.

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Human Rights Panel 2. How Do We Destigmitize Neurodiverse Conditions? Maxfield Sparrow, Rabbi Ruti Regan

Human Rights Panel 2. How Do We Destigmatize Neurodiverse Conditions? Maxfield Sparrow, Rabbi Ruti Regan

Moderators: Lorenzo Barberis Canonico (The OpenAI for Collective Intelligence) and Shannon Rosa (Thinking Person's Guide to Autism)

Objectives:

1. What are reasonable alternatives to adult guardianship, e.g., supported decision making, so neurodivergent people can retain rights and agency.

2. How can we train lawyers to better serve neurodivergent clients, including trauma-informed practices.

3. How does the legal system stereotype, penalize, and mistreat neurodivergent people, especially in carceral conditions.

Maxfield Sparrow

Maxfield Sparrow is an Autistic, metagender writer, scholar activist, DSP/companion, and facilitator of creativity and community. Max has an academic background in political science and applied economics from Idaho State University and is an alumnus of the creative writing MFA program at Naropa's Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics. The author of many anthology essays, Max is the author of The ABCs of Autism Acceptance (Autonomous Press, 2016) and editor of Spectrums: Autistic Transgender People in Their Own Words (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2020). To learn more about Max and their work, visit http://MaxfieldSparrow.com

Rabbi Ruti Regan

Rabbi Ruti Regan is a feminist rabbi and disabled disability advocate working at the margins of Jewish community. She is a prominent rabbinic voice, known for her work about the intersection of disability and Jewish text, thought and practice. She researches inclusive liturgies and ritual change. She previously served as Rabbinic Disability Scholar in Residence at Matan, where she taught Jewish educators strategies for inclusive teaching. She also leads a long-running #ParshaChat Torah study group on Twitter, and is the author of the realsocialskills.org blog. Rabbi Regan was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2017, and previously studied at the Drisha Institute for Jewish Education and the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

7:30 PM - 8:30 PM Entrepreneurship Panel 2. Family Supported Entrepreneurship. Grace & Carrie Key (Candidly Kind), Tiffany & Isaiah Hamilton (Victor Wear), Sean McElwee (Seanese T's)

Entrepreneurship Panel 2: Family startup; IDD. Grace & Carrie Key (Candidly Kind), Tiffany & Isaiah Hamilton (Victor Wear), Sean McElwee (Seanese T's)

Moderators: Cathy Farmer (Autism Angels), Rachel Schuck (UC Santa Barbara)

Objectives:

1. Understanding building a business around a unique ND/IDD person

2. Understanding the value of families working together for an employment opportunity thru entrepreneurship

3. Provide helpful hints to building a ND family business

Grace & Carrie Key

Co-Founders

Candidly Kind

Mother-daughter duo, Carrie and Grace Key are co-founders of candidly kind, a clothing line featuring Grace’s artwork. Grace has Down syndrome. Grace experienced bullying during high school and wa stunned down for a job which led them to start candidly kind to spread light, love and acceptance. They just celebrated their 5th anniversary on March 21. They give part of their profits to charities who help people with disabilities.

Tiffany & Isaiah Hamilton

Co-Founders

Victor Wear

Did you know that 85% of autistic individuals are either unemployed or underemployed? That’s the alarming problem Victor Wear aims to solve. Victor Wear is an inspirational activewear brand and social enterprise dedicated to empowering and employing the autism community. It aims to be a leading employer of people with differing abilities. 10% of our profits support Special Olympics VA. The company was founded by mama-preneur Tiffany Hamilton, and her teenage son, Isaiah Hamilton, who’s the inspiration behind the brand. Today, Isaiah is a straight A student, gold-medal winning swimmer, talented artist, competitive bowler, and video game designer/coder. But despite his many talents, Isaiah, like the vast majority of autistic people, will face high rates of unemployment and underemployment in the working world. Together, Isaiah and I aim to change this through their key initiatives. Victor Wear Apparel is an inspirational activewear brand run by people with differing abilities. We sell stylish, colorful tees and hoodies with inspiring slogans and our signature “VW” flame logo. Victor Wear Expo: This annual public event showcases the products and services of disabled-led businesses and connects these and other businesses to talent in the disability community Social Impact Swag & Corporate Gifting for companies to speak conversation, create jobs and drive change.. Print It with Victor Wear is our small batch printing program staffed by differently abled employees. Learn more about our story - https://victorwear.com/pages/our-story

Sean McElwee

President and Chief Creative Officer

Seanese T's

Sean McElwee is 29 years old and happens to have Down syndrome. Sean thrived in inclusion in primary school and survived exclusion in secondary school. He is an entrepreneur, creating t-shirts with his funny sayings that can be seen at seanese.com. He also enjoys Public Speaking encouraging his audiences to never give up on their dreams. Living in his own apartment with supported living staff facilitating his independence, Sean loves making his own decisions and eating bean and cheese burritos every single day. Sean is a cast member for the Emmy Winning A&E Television show, “Born This Way.”

8:30 PM - 9:30 PM Exhibitor Hour