Neurodiversity Workshop with a Focus on Autism

Montana State University will host a neurodiversity workshop on Friday, April 12, for K-12 special education teachers, parents, neurodiverse students at MSU, faculty and staff. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required and is almost capped.

The workshop was organized by Nadya Modyanova, an assistant research professor in the mechanical and industrial engineering department, and Carolyn Long, a speech and language pathologist and founder of Social Optics, which is a computer-based instructional program to teach social and communication skills to children and young adults.

The workshop aims to share ways that MSU and the Bozeman community can allocate resources and begin taking the necessary steps to improve the transition outcomes for neurodivergent students in higher education. Long and Modyanova hope the event will reveal opportunities for further research and funding streams to help students.

During the workshop, panels of MSU students, faculty and staff will share their experiences and stories. The panels will also feature representatives from campus offices, including the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success, Office of Disability Services, MSU Library, Counseling and Psychological Services, and LIFE scholars.

All workshop events will take place between 12:30 to 3 p.m. in the Strand Union Building’s Ballroom D as follows:

12:30-12:45 p.m. – Introductions.
12:50-1:10. – Panel 1: High School and Transition to MSU Perspectives.
1:10-1:30. – Panel 2: College and Post-College Transition Perspectives.
1:40-2 – Panel 3: Current supports at MSU.
2-2:45 – Working groups.
2:45-3 – Conclusion.
The workshop is funded by an MSU Outreach and Engagement seed grant.