Neurodiversity in the World of Work

Monday, June 24, 2019 | 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Meeting Rooms 22/23
Members: $55 | Non-Members: $75

This program is valid for 3.00 PDCs for the SHRM-CPSM or SHRM-SCPSM.	The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval. (3.00)

Get the most out of your conference experience by attending this hot-topic pre-conference workshop! Registration is required and tickets can be added to your conference registration. If you have already registered and would like to add on the pre-conference workshop, please contact EACE Headquarters at [email protected].

Workshop Description

Workplaces involve many different kinds of diversity (i.e., race, gender, sexual orientation). Neurodiversity values differences in how people think and work. “Neurodiversity” as an umbrella term can include ADHD, autism/Asperger’s syndrome, or a learning difference (e.g., dyslexia). Neurodiverse individuals possess unique perspectives and skills that employers are seeking such as an adherence to rules and a strong attention to detail. However, a majority of these individuals are unemployed or underemployed because workplaces currently are not set up to accommodate their specific working styles and needs. In this training, you will learn how to see neurodiversity as a form of workplace diversity and gain a deeper understanding of how to see autism in the workplace from the perspective of neurodiversity. Through a panel, case studies and discussions, you will learn how to best support neurodiverse job seekers and employees at your college or workplace. This is a foundational workshop that supports colleges and employers on how to access unique talent that neurodiverse employees bring to organizations and how to build a more supportive and inclusive workplace culture.

Participants will:

• Gain a better understanding of neurodiversity
• Gain a better understanding about Autism Spectrum Disorders and related profiles
• Learn about the benefits of neurodiversity in the workplace
• Learn about the challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals during the job search process and in the workplace
• Discuss and develop strategies and techniques to support neurodiverse job seekers and employees
• Discover how college campuses and employers are currently supporting neurodiversity

Facilitators

Dell IT Business Partner | True Abilities North America Co-chair

Kristine E Biagiotti-Bridges is an IT Business Partner at Dell. Kristine provides IT consulting services to the engineering community through a strategic partnership within the Infrastructure Solutions Group. At Dell Kristine is committed to a diversified work environment, serving as a board member, Vice President and President of the True Abilities Employee Resource Group. She is currently the North American Co-Lead. During her tenure at Dell, she has also won several awards including the President’s Award for work in the Disability Employee Resource Group, Disability Champion, Motivator Award 2010 for volunteer activity and Excellence at Dell for dedication to Diversity and Inclusion. She has spoken at the Dell quarterly on the importance of volunteering and giving back. 

In addition to her accomplishments at Dell, Kristine has received numerous awards and recognition for commitment to inclusion, advocacy, running, and philanthropy including: Commonwealth of Massachusetts Proclamation as First mother/daughter team Boston Marathon, distinction as a Hockomock YMCA Legend, Hockomock YMCA Red Triangle award, Saucony 26 recipient, STC Distinguished Chapter Service, and the opportunity to speak in Washington DC on health care reform and mitochondrial disease research.
She currently volunteers her time as a special education and health care advocate focusing on the needs of those in the disability community. She speaks at local and state levels for health and special education issues involving legislation, awareness and education. She is the race director and founder of a local 5K that raises funds to provide social programs within the community for “all abilities” regardless of their ability to pay.

An active participant in the Boston Marathon, Kristine and her daughter Kayla continue to raise awareness for inclusion and fundraise for local charities. http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=18646977

She attended Wentworth Institute of Technology and earned a BS in Electronic Engineering Technology. She is married and the mother to a daughter diagnosed with Trio (1 of 20 cases worldwide), and two step-sons, the youngest with Landau Kleffner Syndrome and is on the autism spectrum.

Currently, Kristine is attending Assumption College for a Master’s degree in Health Advocacy.

Angus Murray
Executive Director of the Kinney Center at Saint Joseph’s University, [email protected]

Angus is a seasoned non-profit leader who started his career as a Direct Care staff and has worked his way through the ranks to various positions of increasing responsibility. Immediately prior to joining the Kinney Center, Angus was the CEO of a well-known local non-profit focused on providing out of school programming for children and transition age youth and preparing them for adulthood.

Angus’s background has provided him with a wealth of experience in non-profit leadership including but not limited to; fundraising, program oversight, marketing and communications, event planning, board management, financial acumen, government and agency relations, long term strategy, etc.

Angus earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts and a Master’s degree in Non-Profit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. He also earned a certification in leadership from Leadership Philadelphia a premiere organization that trains future leaders of the Philadelphia region and beyond. Angus has over 20 years of experience working with people with disabilities and Autism, which makes him an asset to the Kinney Center Team.
Angus currently resides in Montgomery County with his wife and two children.

Dr. Brett Mulder
PsyD, Director of Teen and Adult Programs at MGH Aspire and Clinical Instructor at Harvard Medical School, 

Brett oversees year-round programming for teenagers and adults with high cognitive autism and related profiles. Dr. Mulder holds appointments as Psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry and as Assistant in Pediatrics in the Department of Pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital.  Dr. Mulder is the principal investigator on three longitudinal studies evaluating program outcomes for teen and adult programs at MGH Aspire. He provides consultation to school systems and conducts trainings and workshops throughout the year for employers, clinicians, and educators.  At the Lurie Center of MGH, he sees children, teenagers and adults for individual psychotherapy.

Dr. Mulder received his undergraduate degree in psychology and philosophy from Hope College, his Master of Arts degree in philosophy from Tufts University, and his doctorate in clinical psychology from the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology. He completed a two-year advanced fellowship in psychotherapy and psychological assessment at the Danielsen Institute of Boston University. Also, his training positions included: Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital/YouthCare, Boston University, Tufts Medical Center and McLean Hospital.

Marcie Ciampi
Founder of Spectrum Suite LLC and Senior Recruiter and Outreach Specialist at ULTRA Testing

Marcie Ciampi, M.Ed. (aka Samantha Craft) is the founder of Spectrum Suite LLC and serves as the Lead Job Recruiter and Community Outreach Lead at ULTRA Testing, a software testing company with a neurodiversity hiring initiative. A former schoolteacher, Marcie is best known for her writings found in the well-received blog and book Everyday Aspergers. She writes informative literature on the topic of autism, including contributing to the book Spectrum Women: Walking to the Beat of Autism, and speaks globally on the topic of neurodiversity as it relates to employment and self-empowerment. The Community Achievement Award Recipient at the ANCA World Autism Festival, to date she has corresponded with over 10,000 autistics around the world. She resides in Olympia, Washington. 

Leslie O'Brien
AspireWorks Program Manager, Massachusetts General Hospital/MassGeneral Hospital for Children

Leslie O’Brien, LICSW, developed and directs MGH Aspire Works and its employer training and consulting programs. In addition to individual consulting with supervisors and employees, MGH Aspire Works programs provide over 50 area employers with carefully matched neurodiverse interns and the mentorship that leads to success. Leslie facilitates corporate workshops such as Neurodiverse Hiring and Interviewing Practices and Feedback & Performance Evaluations for Neurodiverse Employees.

Leslie has over a 15 years of clinical experience supporting children, teens and adults in residential, educational and outpatient settings. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Human Development and Masters of Social Work from Binghamton University in Binghamton, NY.