ND Celebration Week – Learning Strategies Center

Neurodiversity (ND) Celebration Week aims to:

March 13-17, 2023

Note that if you have any questions about any of the events or their accessibility, please email neurodiversity@cornell.edu.

Our Lived Experiences: Stories from Cornell’s Neurodivergent Community

Monday, March 13th, 7:00 – 9:00 pm.
Bethe House Common Room
Neurodivergent students, staff and faculty will share stories about their neurotypes, their experiences at Cornell and how they celebrate their identity.
If you cannot attend in person, please register in advance.
We will have popcorn and snacks, fidgets for you to use, and the event will be sensory friendly.
If you have any questions or concerns related to the event or its accessibility please email neurodiversity@cornell.edu.
Please answer this Call for Volunteers if you want to help during this event.

<CANCELED-new date tbd> Nutrition for Neurodivergent Brains

Tuesday, March 14th, via Zoom at noon.
Presented by Cornell Wellness in collaboration with Neurodiversity @ Cornell.
The best tips and tricks for fueling neurodivergent brains. Join Registered Dietitian Derek Fiacco for this talk. Register in advance.
Contact Derek Fiacco at df426@cornell.edu for more information.

<CANCELED-new date tbd> Welcoming Neurodivergent Members in your Organization

<CANCELED-new date tbd> Sensory Room Showcase!

Tuesday, March 14 (Pi Day!) 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm.
WSH Music Room.
Racker will host a pop-up Sensory Room and Racker staff will be at hand to answer your questions about how to set up a sensory room in your building, unit, department, dorm room, etc., what vendors they use and what items they recommend.

<CANCELED-new date tbd> Hyperfocus & Special Interest Night

Tuesday, March 14 (Pi Day!), 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm.
Willard Straight Hall (WSH) Memorial Room.
Drop in on Tuesday evening to learn something new and have fun talking to neurodivergent students, staff and faculty about their hobbies / hyperfocus topics / passions / special interests.
Have fun talking to neurodivergent students, staff and faculty about their hobbies / hyperfocus topics / passions / special interests.
We will have some snack items, fidgets for you to use, craft and puzzle stations, and while we are aiming to have this event be sensory friendly, we will have some earplugs in case you would like to use them.
We will have a Sensory Room in the Willard Straight Hall Music room for people to destress during the event.
If you have any questions or concerns related to the event or its accessibility please email neurodiversity@cornell.edu.
Please answer this Call for Presenters if you want to share your hobbies, passions, special interests, etc. Please answer this Call for Volunteers if you want to help during these events

Move it!

Wednesday, March 15th, via Zoom at noon.
Presented by Cornell Wellness in collaboration with Neurodiversity @ Cornell.
Explore the link between physical activity and managing neurodiversity. Discover the link between lactic acid and its effects on dopamine reception. Join Keri Johnson, ADHD’er as she breaks down the science of why we should find ways to move more. Register in advance.
Contact Keri Johnson at kaj84@cornell.edu for more information.

Neurodiversity Dialogues monthly meeting

Sensory friendly mindfulness: how to make it work for you

Thursday, March 16th, 12:30 – 1:30 pm, Cornell Health level 1, Tang Conference Room D
Facilitated by: Kim VanNorman, LMSW
Have you been curious about mindfulness and meditation but are unsure how they can be helpful for you? Come learn more about how you can use them to feel better. This will be an educational session with a short, guided meditation so you can get a feel for how it works. You will be invited to modify any aspects of these skills so they work best for you! All levels of experience are welcome. Feel free to bring your lunch and any sensory supports needed. The room has overhead lights and a slight sound of the building’s air system. There will be hard copies of the PowerPoint available for those who would find that helpful.
Please contact Kim VanNorman (kv262@cornell.edu) for more information.

Autism Social Group weekly meeting

Thursday, March 16, 4:00 – 5:30 pm.
This meeting is only open to autistic students.
Please email neurodiversity@cornell to receive the zoom link and information on how to join our listserv.

Sensory Friendly Swim Requirement!!!

Friday, March 17, 1:00 – 2:00 pm, Helen Newman Hall.
Are you graduating soon, and have not taken the swim requirement because the environment it takes place in could lead to sensory overload?
If interested, please contact Brigitta Putnam at bar28@cornell.edu

Participatory Research Panel

Friday, March 17, 1:00 – 2:00 pm on Zoom.
Join us to hear experiences and ideas from students and researchers at Cornell, CUNY and Tufts engaged in Participatory Research. Participatory research refers to the practice of conducting neurodiversity-related research respecting and valuing the capabilities and knowledge of neurodivergent people. Participatory Research groups include neurodivergent people in the planning, conducting, and evaluating of studies.
Please register using this link.

ND x QGrads Friday Social

Friday, March 17^th, 3:30 – 7:00 pm, Conference Room & LGBTQ+ Resource Center Lounge, 626 Thurston Ave.
Hosted by QGrads in collaboration with Neurodiversity @ Cornell.
Join us for a casual evening of fun and making friends! This is the first event of the spring exploring opportunities for support amongst the neurodiversity and queer communities at Cornell. There will be a brief discussion at the Friday Social about the overlap between these communities!
Event open to anyone who celebrates or is interested in celebrating both neurodiversity and queer communities. Feel free to drop in and say hi, you don’t have to stay the whole time!
Food will be provided including vegan and gluten free options. There will also be activities such as DIY stickers/buttons, board games, and Nintendo Switch.
Please register on Campus Groups.
Contact Sierra Hicks at sh2337@Cornell.edu with any questions or concerns.