Neurodiversity Celebration Week
March 16 - March 20, 2026
Neurodiversity is the concept that neurological differences, including autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, are natural variations of the human brain. Explore the following resources and opportunities and increase your understanding and skills to support and celebrate the unique strengths of neurodivergent students in your classrooms.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week Online Activity
Neurodiversity Celebration Week (March 16–20) offers faculty and staff an opportunity to engage in self-paced learning focused on understanding, supporting, and affirming neurodivergent students and colleagues. Participants are invited to explore one or more resources throughout the week, selecting options that best align with their role, interests, and available time. Reflection questions are provided to support thoughtful engagement and practical application.
Participants who submit a reflection form by March 25 will be entered into a drawing to win a book on neurodiversity of their choice (up to $30).
Learning Outcomes
The resources in this guide are organized around three interconnected learning outcomes: Awareness, Mindset, and Practice. You may move through the sections sequentially—beginning with Awareness and progressing to Mindset and Practice—or start with the section most relevant to your current work and complete the week in the order that best fits your goals and schedule.
- Awareness → Build shared understanding and common language around neurodiversity.
- Mindset → Shift from deficit-based thinking toward strengths-based and barrier-reduction approaches.
- Practice → Apply concrete strategies that improve access, belonging, and success.
Awareness
Reflection / Discussion Questions:
- What is one new term or concept you learned from these resources?
- What assumptions or misconceptions about neurodiversity were challenged?
- Which roles on campus (faculty, staff, advisors) connect most to this information and why?
Resources:
- Neurodiversity at Illinois State University (SAAS) (Campus context & student supports)
- Neurodiversity Terms & Definitions (Nick Walker) (Shared language)
- University of Connecticut – Neurodiversity Basics (INCLUDE) (Foundational concepts & higher-ed context)
- Teaching in Higher Ed – Intro to Neurodiversity for Educators (Ep. 484) (Higher-ed overview podcast)
- Neurodiversity Celebration Week (Official) (Awareness & toolkits)
Mindset
Reflection / Discussion Questions:
- Where might common academic or workplace practices unintentionally create barriers?
- How does a strengths-based perspective change how you interpret behavior or performance?
- What is one assumption you want to pause or reconsider after reviewing these resources?
Resources:
- Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) (Autistic people’s perspectives)
- ADDitude Magazine – Neurodivergent Black Women, ADHD, and the Neurodiversity Movement (Intersectional lived experience)
- PBS – Neurodivergence and People of Color (Intersectional perspectives)
- Playing to Our Strengths: Neurodiversity & Education (TEDx) (Strengths-based framing)
- Supporting Neurodivergent Learners on Campus (Students' and staff’s perspectives)
Practice
Reflection / Discussion Questions:
- What is one specific change you can make in the next two weeks?
- What is a small adjustment that could benefit many people?
- What support, office, or partner would help you sustain this practice?
Resources:
- Working with Neurodivergent Students (CIPD – Illinois State) (Teaching & support strategies)
- California State University, Chico – Neurodiversity & Higher Education (Office of Faculty Development) (Faculty development guide)
- Eastern Michigan University – Resources for Teaching Neurodiverse Students (Teaching strategies & supports)
- Northwestern Searle Center – Supporting Neurodivergent Student Success (Course design strategies)
- Sonoma State University – Neurodiversity-Friendly Teaching (Classroom design strategies)
- Montana State University Library – Neurodiversity Resources (Curated research & teaching resources)
- Neurodiversity Celebration Week – Resource Hub (Ready-to-use resources)
- London Global University (UCL) – Supporting Neurodiversity in Education (Inclusive teaching guidance)
- Chronicle of Higher Education – How to Teach Your (Many) Neurodivergent Students (Higher-ed teaching practices (Illinois State access via library))
- Chronicle of Higher Education – Neurodivergent Students Need Flexibility, Not Our Frustration (Faculty perspective & flexibility (Illinois State access via library))
Note: Illinois State has a Chronicle subscription. Use the Milner Library instructions below if prompted to sign in. Milner Library FAQ: Accessing The Chronicle of Higher Education (Illinois State subscription) (Access instructions)
Thank you for taking the time to learn and reflect during Neurodiversity Celebration Week. Consider sharing one takeaway or practice that you plan to try with a colleague or your team to help build a more inclusive and supportive campus environment.
Workshops
Film Viewing- From Stigma to Strength: The Neurodiversity Project
Join us for an inspiring documentary video that delves into the lives of neurodivergent students.
Synchronous Meeting:
Wednesday, March 18, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Embracing Neurodiversity in the Classroom
Join us for an engaging workshop designed to foster a culture of inclusion and deepen students' understanding of neurodiversity.
Synchronous Meeting:
Thursday, March 19, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.