Course Information
| Session |
|---|
| Credits | 1.5 CEUs or 15 PDHs |
|---|---|
| Registration dates | We accept registrations through the first week of classes, unless enrollment is full, and unless the class was canceled before it started due to low enrollment. |
Understanding, Supporting, and Empowering Neurodiverse Library Professionals
$250.00
Dates: November 4 - December 1Credits: 1.5 CEUs or 15 PDHs
Awareness of neurodiversity has increased significantly over the past several years, moving beyond autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to include ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and Tourette Syndrome among other diagnoses. Library professionals have worked to better understand and provide equitable and inclusive spaces for neurodivergent library users. However, less attention has been paid to supporting the needs of library professionals who are themselves neurodivergent. With an estimated 30 to 40% of adults being neurodivergent along with 3.7 percent of library staff in the United States and 5.9% in Canada having some form of disability, this course will provide critical information to fill this gap. In this course, participants will understand neurodiversity, learn strategies to foster DEI for neurodivergent staff, and develop improved processes to recruit and retain neurodivergent professionals. Neurodivergent library professionals will learn tips for effective communication and relationship building with coworkers, better understand the benefits of avoiding masking, and identify ways to obtain diagnosis and treatment when needed. The course facilitator offers a unique background in being a second career librarian with over 20 years of experience as a master’s level clinical psychologist.
Course objectives include:
• Understand the strengths and challenge of neurodiversity in the workplace
• Identify resources to engage in advocacy and fighting stigma
• Develop tools to create a more equitable and inclusive workplace for neurodivergent staff
• Seek out necessary accommodations in the workplace
• Foster processes to recruit, onboard, retain, and develop neurodivergent library staff
• Obtain tips to improve communication with coworkers and address the dangers of masking
• Discover how to obtain a diagnosis and treatment if needed
Course Description
Awareness of neurodiversity has increased significantly over the past several years, moving beyond autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to include ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and Tourette Syndrome among other diagnoses. Library professionals have worked to better understand and provide equitable and inclusive spaces for neurodivergent library users. However, less attention has been paid to supporting the needs of library professionals who are themselves neurodivergent. With an estimated 30 to 40% of adults being neurodivergent along with 3.7 percent of library staff in the United States and 5.9% in Canada having some form of disability, this course will provide critical information to fill this gap. In this course, participants will understand neurodiversity, learn strategies to foster DEI for neurodivergent staff, and develop improved processes to recruit and retain neurodivergent professionals. Neurodivergent library professionals will learn tips for effective communication and relationship building with coworkers, better understand the benefits of avoiding masking, and identify ways to obtain diagnosis and treatment when needed. The course facilitator offers a unique background in being a second career librarian with over 20 years of experience as a master’s level clinical psychologist.
Course objectives include:
• Understand the strengths and challenge of neurodiversity in the workplace
• Identify resources to engage in advocacy and fighting stigma
• Develop tools to create a more equitable and inclusive workplace for neurodivergent staff
• Seek out necessary accommodations in the workplace
• Foster processes to recruit, onboard, retain, and develop neurodivergent library staff
• Obtain tips to improve communication with coworkers and address the dangers of masking
• Discover how to obtain a diagnosis and treatment if needed
Dawn Behrend
Dawn Behrend is an Instruction and Outreach Librarian at Lenoir-Rhyne University, where she serves as the liaison for psychology, counseling, mathematics, computer science, and business and manages the library’s social media platforms. She holds a B.A. in Psychology, M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Library Science. Ms. Behrend has worked for 20 years in North Carolina as a Licensed Psychological Associate and is a second career librarian. Ms. Behrend continues to work in private practice where she completes psychological evaluations in addition to her work as an academic librarian.
How to Register
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