Neurodiversity related webinars, presentations, research, and more

NDAG Community Roundup: Oct 14, 2026

 

UMBC-affiliated Events

Virtual Body Doubling Session -
Power through your to-do list!

October 16 |  12-1 PM |Webex Link

Looking for a low-pressure, supportive space to power through your to-do list? These virtual body doubling sessions offer a quiet, parallel-working environment to help you tackle tasks alongside supportive colleagues. Whether you are grading papers, clearing out your inbox, writing research proposals, or tackling administrative chores—bring your work and join us!

Presented by UMBC Critical Disability Studies.
Mini Zine Workshop with Jen White Johnson -
Oct 21 - Hybrid

12 - 2 PM.  Performing Arts & Humanities Building : 317. Meeting link.

Register at https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/critdis/events/158468

Create your own disability justice zine! The practice of zine-making emphasizes creative storytelling, self-advocacy, and photography through the use of paper and craft materials. Zine content can be in the form of social justice, political prose, or poetry, often those stories left out of mainstream media. Presented by UMBC Critical Disability Studies.

Guest Speaker, Dr. Florencia Ardon (Cornell University) - October 26 - Virtual, 12 -1 PM

Inclusive Excellence in Action: How Faculty & Staff Can Support Neurodivergent Student Success, 12 to 1 pm.Zoom meeting link: https://meet.google.com/ife-uyxu-ypk?authuser=0&hs=122 

Presented by the Neurodivergent Faculty & Staff Affinity Group.

Dr. Florencia Ardon, Study Skills Lecturer and Neurodivergent Student Support Program Manager at Cornell University, author of The Complete College Skills Guide for Neurodivergent Students. Built on real-world classroom observations and direct student interactions, her work translates lived student experiences into practical strategies that faculty and staff can apply immediately.

• Field-Tested Insights: Lessons directly from Dr. Ardon’s hands-on work advising neurodivergent students at Cornell.

• Actionable Support: Concrete ways instructors and staff can adjust classroom and administrative practices for neurodivergent student success.

• Q&A Session: Dedicated time to discuss inclusive excellence in action at UMBC.

 

Neurodiversity Research, Programs, & Opportunities (not affiliated with UMBC)

 

RESEARCH PRESENTATION: The impact of video-based intervention for improving
attitudes towards autism in Chinese higher education: A pre-post study

October 15 |  12-1 PM |  College Autism Network Link

Dr. Yinghui Xia (Education Research, Lancaster University) and Dr. Peng Wang (Joint International Research Unit on Neuroplasticity, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Laval University) will introduce a pre-post study examining whether a brief video-based intervention can improve attitudes towards autism in Chinese higher education. Drawing on data from 1,158 university students and staff, the study used the Autism and Neurodiversity Attitudes Scale before and after a six-minute autism-awareness video. The talk will summarise the study design, key findings, and what they reveal about the possibilities and limits of short awareness interventions. It will also discuss implications for autism acceptance, neurodiversity-informed practice, and the development of more sustained, context-sensitive support within university communities in China and beyond, in higher education settings today globally.

 

VIRTUAL PRESENTATION: Neurodiversity Dialogues: Dealing With Procrastination 

October 21| 3-4 PM | Neurodiversity@Cornell Registration Link

• What exactly is procrastination?

• Why does it happen?

• Who is more prone to it?

• How can you deal with it?

Join Florencia (Flor) Ardon for a conversation around what is -- and what is not -- procrastination. Attendees will be able to clear some misunderstandings, as well as create an action plan that works for them.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATION: Different Brains, Different Communication: Navigating Relationships, Boundaries & Self-Advocacy During the Holidays

October 27 | 1–2 PM ET | Register at this Link

Elizabeth Green, OTR/L, and psychologist Rachel Bédard, PhD, hold a conversation about neurodivergent and neurotypical communication, navigating increased family and social demands, setting boundaries, and advocating for what you need during a time of year that can bring changed routines and a lot of communication pressure.

 

VIRTUAL PRESENTATION: Making Work Actually Work: Tools to Support Positive Employment Outcomes

October 29 | 12-1 PM ET | TransCen Registration Link

This webinar introduces proven strategies and actionable tools for supporting individuals with disabilities as they pursue employment. Designed for service providers, families, educators, employment professionals, and businesses, the session will introduce practical tools TransCen created and actually uses with its own clients. These free, field-tested resources help individuals with disabilities identify their strengths, interests, and goals as part of the discovery process.