Program Details
Unlocking Potential: Understanding and Supporting Neurodivergent Employees in the Workplace
Neurodivergent employees bring unique strengths to the workplace but often face challenges due to a lack of inclusivity. This presentation equips leaders with tools to create supportive environments, explore neurodivergent traits, and address barriers. By adopting a strengths-based approach and practical accommodations, organizations can unlock workforce potential, enhance individual well-being, and improve team dynamics. Attendees will gain strategies to foster inclusivity in hiring, onboarding, and daily operations for organizational success.
Key Objectives
Recognize the Value of Neurodiversity: Understand the unique strengths neurodivergent employees bring to the workplace and how embracing diversity enhances innovation and productivity. Implement Inclusive Practices: Learn practical strategies for creating a supportive work environment, including accommodations, communication techniques, and inclusive policies. Foster a Culture of Belonging: Discover how to shift workplace culture to celebrate neurodiversity, reduce stigma, and promote collaboration among all employees.
Amanda Russo
Executive Director at Balanced Life Solutions
Amanda Russo, LPC-S is the Executive Director of Balanced Life Solutions, where she brings extensive expertise and passion for supporting the neurodivergent community. A lifelong resident of the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Amanda earned dual Bachelor’s degrees in Child Learning and Development and Psychology from The University of Texas at Dallas. Her early experiences working with autistic children during an undergraduate internship ignited her dedication to the neurodivergent community. She pursued a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW), where she honed her skills in neuropsychological and educational assessment. During this time, Amanda gained valuable experience working with the UTSW Psychological Services Department and the Parkland Trauma Unit, further deepening her clinical expertise. She then went on to obtain an MBA from Texas Woman's University, as she developed a passion for finding ways to support larger healthcare organizations, such as Centene and CVS Health, to make better products for their members. Amanda’s professional journey has spanned multiple settings, including private practices, community mental health clinics, and public schools. She is also a certified teacher in elementary education, special education, and school counseling, with a particular focus on advocating for appropriate educational services for children with special needs. Her career has included work with the University of Texas at Dallas’ Brain Performance Institute, conducting neuroscience research and delivering treatment for divergent social cognition. Using innovative online technologies, she focused on improving children's understanding of social cues and implicit social information. Amanda frequently presented to educators and parents across the Dallas/Fort Worth area, sharing strategies to foster social cognition. With specialized expertise in neurodivergent diagnoses such as autism, ADHD, and learning differences—including gifted learners—Amanda is particularly passionate about supporting individuals who were assigned female at birth (AFAB), a population often under- or misdiagnosed due to their unique symptom presentations.
Please Note: Speakers and topics are subject to change without notice.