SS 13 - Neurodiversity in ecology for mentors and mentees: Intraspecific diversity in facets of thinking

Monday, August 15, 2022

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM EDT

Location: 520A

Organizer(s)

AS

Adam B. Smith

Associate Scientist
Missouri Botanical Garden
St. Louis, MO, United States

Co-organizer(s)

EM

Emily G. Morris

Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO, United States

Moderator(s)

EM

Emily G. Morris

Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO, United States

Speaker(s)

KF

Kasey Fowler-Finn

Saint Louis University, United States
WT

Wendy Teal

Saint Louis University, United States
PW

Paige Warren

Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, United States
MK

Melanie Klein

University of Massecheusetts, United States
EC

Ernesto Chavez-Velasco

Pre-graduate, United States
CS

Carlyn Scott

Graduate Student, Master’s
College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, United States
MD

Marlyse Duguid

Yale University, School of the Environment, United States
AS

Alanna Shaw

University of Montana, United States

Session Description: Navigating STEM as a mentee or mentor while neurodiverse can be a challenge and a reward, and mentoring neurodiverse mentees requires special understanding. In this session, we will provide context, solutions, and understanding for

1) mentors and mentees who identify as neurodiverse, and
2) mentors of neurodiverse mentees.

Neurodiversity is intraspecific phenotypic variation in human brain function and behavior, and is a normal part of variation in the human population. It encompasses ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (including Asperger’s), bipolar disorder, and other modalities of experience. Even within the neurodiverse community, there is a wide range of variation, as expressed by the phrase, “If you’ve met one person with ____, you’ve met one person with ____,” where the blank signifies any of a number of neurodiverse identifies (ASD, ADHD, etc.; Chaste et al. 2015 doi: 0.1016/j.biopsych.2014.09.017). We will address neurodiversity—in all its diversity—in a compassionate and inclusive manner.

The session will follow a roundtable format with designated facilitators to help initiate and guide the discussion. Panelists will comprise neurodiverse mentors, mentees, and mentors of neurodiverse mentees.

We welcome attendees who wish to participate or observe. As this can be a sensitive topic, attendees will only be asked to self-disclose to the degree they feel comfortable, and we otherwise ask that this be a “closed” session, where attendees communicate about it to those who do not attend with kindness and discretion.