Come Celebrate Our Beautiful Minds!

Everyone is welcome to join the U-M community for the Beautiful Minds: Celebrating the Diversity of Neurodiversity Conference on March 25-26, 2025, at the North Campus Research Complex, Building 18 Auditorium. Virtual attendance is also an option.

The Beautiful Minds Conference promotes education and awareness of neurodiversity and community building with the goal of educating, inspiring, and empowering everyone to celebrate their unique minds.

Day 1: Policies, Systems, and Structures

Day 1 will focus on “Policies, Systems, and Structures” and features a welcome by President Ono and Opening Remarks by Provost McCauley. Sessions cover neurodiversity fundamentals and workplace inclusion. Afternoon breakout sessions delve into topics like building attention skills, workplace masking, and storytelling’s role in mental health. Interactive activities, such as poster exhibits and a support animal area, will be available throughout the day, with networking wrapping up the day.

Day 2: Innovative Solutions, Adaptive Sports, Mental Health and Well-being

Day 2’s agenda emphasizes “Innovative Solutions, Adaptive Sports, Mental Health and Well-being” and opens with an update from the University of Melbourne. Presentations and panel discussions explore gaming, adaptive sports, and mental health issues. Breakout sessions cover immediate care, children’s books on autism, and the roots of the neurodiversity movement, complemented by interactive exhibits. The day concludes with sessions on sensory needs and navigating academics in neurodivergent communities, followed by closing remarks.

Breakfast and lunch are provided for in-person attendees. Virtual attendees will have access to speaking engagements but not the interactive activities, labs, posters, and exhibitors.

Please note that this year’s conference will have a small fee ($50 in person; $25 virtual) to offset costs. Departments that want to pay for staff with a group short code should reach out to Sandy Zalmout (szalmout@umich.edu).

Interested in Supporting the Neurodiversity Project? Become a Sponsor!

Individuals and group sponsors are key to making this event a success. Interested sponsors can fill out this Sponsorship Form. Your donations to the Neurodiversity Project empower us to do the work and help us transform the University of Michigan into a beacon of inclusivity, where neurodiverse individuals are celebrated and supported to unleash their full potential, driving innovation and enriching our community. Thank you for your support!

This article was co-authored by Sandy Zalmout, ICPSR Summer Program Business Development Director.