A Different Kind of Magic: Reimagining our Work with Neurodivergent Students and Advisors

Woman holding a sunflower in front of her face

April 10, 2025 - 1:00 PM CT

Unfortunately, little research has been done on adults with Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or defined as neurodivergent. Many students, staff, professors, and even advisors may have been diagnosed as being somewhere on the autism spectrum. Many more, especially older individuals may have not been officially diagnosed. It is essential that academic advisors, who are among the first administrators that students meet on campus, are well-versed in working with ASD students, who are often highly functioning but have different needs than neuro-normative students. This presentation introduces advisors to strategies for working with students and co-workers who may have ASD or are neurodivergent. Attendees will learn about strategies to use in their advising, learn of programs, courses, and initiative ideas as well as receive a guide on working with ASD and Neurodivergent students and staff.

What You'll Learn:

- Since as many as 1 in 5 may be neurodivergent, necessitating advisors who are skilled at working with this population.
- Learn strategies on how to work and support with both co-workers and students who may be neurodivergent.
- Plugging in or supporting the creation of resources on your campus for Neurodivergent students. We will highlight a newly formed program on my campus that provides resources for ASD students and helps to educate the rest of the campus community.

Webinar Presenter

Todd Spinner
Todd Spinner has nearly 30 years of experience in higher education and almost 20 in academic advising, winning many awards for excellence in advising.
Todd is currently the Senior Academic Advisor for the School of Chemical Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has helped develop many programs and left a mark on the academic curriculums of the Chemistry, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering programs. Previously, he has worked at St. Michael’s College in Vermont, Adrian College, and DePauw University.

Todd holds a Master of Science in Education, College Student Personnel, and a BA in History from Eastern Illinois University. He has been a presenter at the NACADA national conference in 2023, 2021, 2019, and 2017.

Todd’s passion is assisting students through their academic journey and has a passion for working with neurodivergent students and staff.
Outside of his professional life, he enjoys exploring the great outdoors through camping, cycling, hiking, and enjoying life with his partner Holly and their two dogs Blair and Bison, and their cat Lonesome Kitty on their homestead in rural Illinois.

Register by Mail/Fax

Individuals using checks or purchase orders for payment must use this Registration Form.

Please complete the form, print it, and mail or fax to the Executive Office. Registrations will be processed in the order they are received. Once processing is complete, you will receive via email a receipt or invoice for the event.
The completed form and a check or approved PO must be received by the Executive Office at least two working days prior to the event. If the event should reach capacity before your registration can be processed, your check or PO will be returned to you.
Note: For your financial safety, we can NOT accept registrations with a credit card via email.

Transfer/Refund Policy

If you find after registering that you are not able to attend the broadcast, you may:

- Choose to simply remain registered and view the streamable recording of the event from the link that will be provided and available for 30 days following the event.

- Transfer your registration to another individual from your institution. (If this person is not a current NACADA member, they will either be asked to become a member or pay the non-member fee.)

- Up to 30 days prior to the webinar: Request a refund of paid registration fees (less $25) in writing.

- 29 to 8 days prior to the webinar: Request a refund off paid registration fees (less 50%) in writing.

- Due to service provider obligations, refund requests can not be accepted less than 8 days before the event. Internal campus substitutions can be made up to 3 days before the broadcast.

- In the unlikely event the broadcast is cancelled, registration fees will be returned.

Pricing

NACADA Members:

Before/on March 11 - $175
After/on March 12 - $200

Non-Members:

Before/on March 11 - $325
After/on March 12 - $350

Registration closes April 8, 2025