In 2017, the Harvard Business Review published an article titled “Neurodiversity As A Competitive Advantage” in which they highlighted the numerous benefits of having neurodiverse talent among an organizations workforce. This article provided an influential insight into the potential opportunities for innovation and creativity that divergent thinking affords. While there are many support programs and trainings available, they usually take a condition specific approach, requiring managers and collaborators to understand the various conditions. However, this approach can cause further damage by reinforcing negative stereotypes and potentially increasing a sense of separation for the neurodivergent individuals.

The condition-specific approach is both ineffective and inefficient as it doesn’t take the whole person into consideration. To support neurodivergent individuals, in a meaningful and long-lasting way, you need a solution that offers flexibility to accommodate each unique person. Understanding the combination of lived experiences, personal strengths, and challenges (both personal and professional) is critical to creating spaces where a person will have the opportunity to reach their greatest potential.

This session walks you through a simple process to understand the unique qualities and characteristics of a neurodivergent individual and enables you to become their greatest ally. Whether you’re a collaborator, educator, manager, or CEO, this process will become your go-to strategy for offering support, reducing barriers to productivity, and creating spaces that empower the neurodivergent individuals on your team to thrive.

Megan Kohler is the Executive Director and Lead Designer of Megan Kohler Consulting. She is also an Assistant Teaching Professor and Learning Designer at The Pennsylvania State University. With nearly 20 years of experience in Higher Ed, she specializes in designing innovative online, tech-enhanced, and blended learning experiences. Recognized for her quality design work, she is a recipient of the 2021 Marion G. Mitchell Award for Innovative Teaching. Her research, supported by a Schreyer Institute Scholarship, focuses on supporting neurodivergent learners.

Megan has held key leadership roles with the Online Learning Consortium's Accelerate Conference and has contributed to EDUCAUSE’s Courseware Advisory Board, an initiative supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. As a 2024 Teach Access Fellow, Megan advocates for inclusive and accessible learning experiences for all learners. Her co-edited book "The Multidisciplinary Instructional Designer," explores how cross-disciplinary skills can enhance an instructional designer’s abilities.