Please visit our Picture Gallery to see our pictures and feedback from the attendees.

All videos of the Summit are available HERE.

STANFORD NEURODIVERSITY SUMMIT

Welcome from the Director

Welcome to the Stanford Neurodiversity Project. We are holding our virtual Stanford Neurodiversity Summit from October 17 to 21, 2020. The theme of this year's summit is "Scaling Up the Neurodiversity at Work Initiative". This virtual summit is a unique conference bringing together neurodiverse/neurodivergent individuals, employers, service agencies, educators and students, parents, and professionals from all areas of the field. 

We are planning the conference with Universal Design in mind, to maximize accessibility and inclusion; we want neurodiverse individuals to participate. See the "What We're Doing Differently" section below for more information about accessibility and how we're including neurodiverse/neurodivergent perspectives.

Please see Summit at a Glance below to start learning about the summit, and explore the Full Program and Speakers' Background here. You are also invited to explore Accessibility Guidelines to learn about how our group increases accessibility of the conference.  

I invite you to register today to enjoy the scheduled activities in the summit. General registration is free and open until October 10th. Late registration is open until the last day of the summit. All sessions will be recorded and made available to the public approximately a month after the conference.

Lawrence Fung, MD, PhD

Summit at a Glance (All in Pacific Time)

OCTOBER 17, 2020 (SATURDAY)

8:30 - 9:30 AM:  Opening Session and Introduction to the Stanford Neurodiversity Project. Lawrence Fung, MD, PhD, Stanford University

9:35 - 10:35 AM:  How is it that People with Autism are Economically Supporting their Families Even in the Pandemic Time? Keynote Speaker: Liliana Mayo, PhD, Centro Ann Sullivan del Peru (CASP) and University of Kansas

10:45 - 11:45 AM: Organizational Factors Enabling the Scaling of Autism @ Work Initiatives. Keynote Speaker: Hala Annabi, PhD, University of Washington

11:50 AM - 12:50 PM:  Mr. Inevitable Goes to Work. Keynote Speaker: Valerie Paradiz, PhD, Autistic Advocate, Parent of Autistic Individual, VP of Autism Speaks

1 - 4 PM:  Intersectionality, Race, and Neurodiversity.  Speakers: René Brooks (Black Girl, Lost Keys), Maria Davis-Pierre (Autism in Black Inc), Temple Lovelace, PhD (Duquesne University), Jamell Mitchell (EY), Morenike Giwa Onaiwu (All the Weight of Our Dreams), Inger Shaye. Moderators: Christy Matta (Stanford), Isabelle Morris (Stanford)

4:30 - 5:30 PM: The Evolution of a Neurodiversity Movement: How Far We’ve Come. How Far Can We Go? A Personal Reflection. Keynote Speaker: Judy Singer, BA (Hons) UTS, Neurodiversity Pioneer

6 - 7:30 PM:  Neurodiverse Reflections Panel - What Works and Wish List for K-12 Student Experience. Speakers: Amy Faigin (Bridges Academy), Lucy Wallace (Stanford), Zachary Fung (Palo Alto High), Ila Perinkulam (Palo Alto High), Serena Chen (St. Francis High), Allison Zone (Fusion Academy).  Moderators: Callie Turk and Yael Pasternak Valek (Resilience and Engagement for Every Learner)

OCTOBER 18, 2020 (SUNDAY)

8:30 - 9:30 AM: The Future of Neuroinclusion - Beyond Tokenism and Towards a Neurodiverse Norm. Keynote Speaker: Nancy Doyle, PhD, Genius Within

9:45 - 11:15 AM: Employer Panel (Small to Medium-sized Businesses). Speakers: Rajesh Anandan (Ultranauts), Rebecca Beam (auticon), Harish Bikmal (Zenaviv), Kathleen Foley-Hughes (Ada’s Café), Bill Morris (Blue Star Recyclers), Nish Parikh (Rangam). Moderators: Lawrence Fung, MD, PhD (Stanford), Mark Gavartin (Stanford), Doug Meeker (3R Behavioral Solutions)

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM: Winner Presentations from Neurodiversity Design Thinking Workshop. Moderators: Lawrence Fung, MD, PhD (Stanford), Mark Gavartin (Stanford)

12 - 1 PM: Networking Sessions

1 - 4 PM: Mental Wellness in the Workplace and Beyond 1. Speakers: Michael Fieldhouse (DXC Technology), Caroline Grantz, PhD (UCLA), Christy Matta (Stanford), Janet Miller, PhD, JD (Stanford), Thuc-Quyen Nguyen, MD (Stanford). Moderators: Lawrence Fung, MD, PhD (Stanford), Janie Hong, PhD (Stanford)

4:30 - 5:30 PM: Neurodiverse Employee Panel 1. Speakers: Marcelle Ciampi (Ultranauts), David Hall (Neuroguides), Bill Lyman (Kinesso), Tom Moloney (Blue Star Recyclers), Ron Sandison (Spectrum Inclusion). Moderators: Janie Hong, PhD (Stanford), Janet Miller, PhD, JD (Stanford)

6 - 7 PM: Starting your job search. Speaker: Jan Johnston-Tyler (Evo Libri)

OCTOBER 19, 2020 (MONDAY)

8:30 - 9:30 AM: Self-Determination, Strengths-based Supports, and the Dignity of Work for All. Keynote Speaker: Mike Wehmeyer, PhD, University of Kansas.

9:45 - 10:45 AM: Small Businesses, Big Impact. Speakers: Brendon Anderson (California Workforce Association), Jerry Dattilo (Caminar), Steffany Dignum (Pomeroy), Lawrence Fung, MD, PhD (Stanford). Moderator: Mark Gavartin (Stanford)

11 AM - 12 PM: Neurodiversity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) Education and Careers. Keynote Speaker: Sara Rankin, PhD, Imperial College

12 - 1 PM: Networking Sessions

1 - 3 PM: Employer Panel (Corporations). Speakers: Neil Barnett (Microsoft), Michael Fieldhouse (DXC Technology), Anthony Pacilio (JP Morgan Chase), Hiren Shukla (EY), Jose Velasco (SAP). Moderators: Lawrence Fung, MD, PhD (Stanford), Mark Gavartin (Stanford)

4:30 - 6 PM: Leveraging Strengths and Opening Doors in K-12: How Working Together Makes a Difference. Speakers: Jay Dunlap (Renaissance Learner Academy), Louise Kindell, PsyD. Moderators: Marci Schwartz, LCSW, PhD (Thrive College Counseling), Yael Pasternak Valek (Resilience and Engagement for Every Learner)

OCTOBER 20, 2020 (TUESDAY)

8:30 - 9:30 AM. Maximizing Neurodiverse Potential. Keynote Speaker: Hackie Reitman, MD, Different Brains

9:45 AM - 12 PM: The College Spectrum: College Readiness, Undergrad and Beyond. Speakers: Scott Fitzwater (Mansfield Hall), Lisa Medoff, PhD (Stanford), Isabelle Morris (Stanford), Hari Srinivasan (UC Berkeley). Moderators: Christy Matta (Stanford)

12 - 1 PM: Networking Sessions

1 - 2:30 PM: Putting PIP to Work: Internships for Regional Center Consumers. Speakers: Kristen Bates (GGRC), Mike Bernick (Duane Morris), Steffany Dignum (Pomeroy), Sean Galvin (GGRC), Chris Lindholm. Moderator: Lawrence Fung, MD, PhD (Stanford), Mark Gavartin (Stanford)

4:30 - 6 PM: Diagnostic Disparities. Speakers: Rita Obeid, PhD (Case Western Reserve), Stephanie Parks (UCLA), Sarah Vinson, MD (Morehouse School of Medicine). Moderators: Marci Schwartz, LCSW, PhD (Thrive College Counseling), Callie Turk (Resilience and Engagement for Every Learner)

6 - 8 PM: Mental Wellness in the Workplace and Beyond 2. Speakers: Lawrence Fung, MD, PhD (Stanford), Janie Hong, PhD (Stanford), Greg Yates (AASCEND). Moderators: Janet Miller, PhD, JD (Stanford), Thuc-Quyen Nguyen, MD (Stanford).

OCTOBER 21, 2020 (WEDNESDAY)

8:30 - 9:30 AM: Autism: Addressing Pre-Employment Challenges and Barriers. Keynote Speaker: Siena Castellon, Young Leader, United Nations

9:45 - 10:45 AM: Neurodiverse Employee Panel 2. Speakers: Patrick Felong (Salesforce), Andrew Komarow (Planning Across the Spectrum), Haley Moss, Sridhar Sarnobat (Oracle), Wes Strickland (E-Trade), Selena Sparks (EY). Moderators: Lawrence Fung, MD, PhD (Stanford), Thuc-Quyen Nguyen, MD (Stanford)

11 AM - 12 PM: Pro Tips for Job Seekers and Employees on the Spectrum. Speaker: Marcelle Ciampi (Ultranauts)

12 - 1 PM: Networking Sessions

1 - 1:10 PM: Entrepreneurship Opportunities. Speakers: Cathy Farmer (Autism Angels) and Maureen Dunne, PhD (Autism Angels) 

1:10 - 4 PM: Entrepreneurship and Neurodiversity. Speakers: Johnny Doan (Profound Incubator), Michael A. Freeman, MD, Vanessa Castañeda Gill (Social Cipher), Heidi Ham, PhD (Spectrum Fusion), James Murray-Parkes (Technotia Laboratories), Tamara Stenn PhD (Landmark College), Johan Wiklund, PhD (Syracuse U). Moderators: Andrew Eddy (Untapped), Xialene Chang (Harvard). 

4:30 - 6:30 PM: Final Concluding Session. Lawrence Fung, MD, PhD, Stanford University

Liliana Mayo, PhD

Judy Singer

Nancy Doyle, PhD

Sara Rankin, PhD

Siena Castellon

Hala Annabi, PhD

Valerie Paradiz, PhD

Mike Wehmeyer, PhD

Hackie Reitman, MD

Our schedule features a wide variety of topics, perspectives, and formats. See below for a brief schedule of the Stanford Neurodiversity Summit. 

A PDF of the "Program at a Glance" is also available.

Speakers

Organizing Committee

What We're Doing Differently

Accessibility

We've noticed that many conferences on the topic of neurodiversity are actually not set up to be neurodiversity-friendly. In planning our conference, we are applying Universal Design concepts to maximize accessibility and inclusion. We want neurodiverse/neurodivergent individuals to participate, and be comfortable doing so.

Specific accessibility details will be posted soon. However, all conference registrants will be provided with a packet with accessibility information. Additionally, we are providing speakers with their own set of accessibility guidelines.

Including Neurodiverse/Neurodivergent Perspectives

We believe that neurodiverse/neurodivergent individuals are crucial to include in any conversations about neurodiversity. Here is how we're doing that:

  • Planning: Our organizing committee has several neurodiverse/neurodivergent members helping to shape everything from content to accessibility.
  • Speakers: Our speakers and panelists include neurodiverse/neurodivergent individuals.
  • Attendees: Neurodiverse/neurodivergent individuals are encouraged to attend, and a portion of the registration slots are specifically set aside for neurodiverse/neurodivergent attendees. 

Interactive Programming

It is certainly a challenge to make a virtual summit feel just as interactive as an in-person one. However, our conference schedule consists largely of panels and enables presenters to talk with attendees, rather than a series of presenters speaking to attendees.