Join us this February for a series of free online presentations by experts, exploring the diversity of human experience through the lens of psychology.
Neurodiversity is a new and increasingly popular social concept that stresses the neuropsychologically unique ways in which our brain works, including thinking, learning, and behaving -without necessarily judging them as "correct" or "incorrect." Commonly encountered neurodiverse conditions include ADHD, autism spectrum, learning disorders, giftedness, cognitive styles, Bipolar Disorder, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive characteristics, and chronic pain. However, neurodiversity does not equal disability.
There is a wide range of neurodiversities we have that are not captured by any specific diagnostic classification and some represent distinct strengths and talents.
Do you or someone you know have difficulty recognizing social cues in interactions, is impulsive in responding and often makes mistakes, has trouble expressing or controlling emotions, lacks empathy, becomes easily overstimulated or quickly bored, or completes tasks in a different way than typically expected?
If so, this presentation is for you!
The talk will discuss the following questions:
- Why recognizing neurodiversity is important in daily life, school, and work?
- How do we capture cognitive, emotional and behavioural signs of neurodiversity among people we know?
- How do we respond to various neurodiverse characteristics?
- What are some common neurodiverse conditions and how do they affect day-to-date functioning?
- How can we accommodate and harness neurodiversity at school and work?
- How can a neuropsychologist help neurodiverse people cope and thrive?
Dr. Schultz's presentation will be interactive and will have a significant question-and-answer component. Participants are encouraged to bring questions about neurodiverse (or possibly neurodiverse) individuals in daily functioning, school, and work contexts. Family members, friends, employers, and teachers of those with neurodiversities are encouraged to attend.
The presenter's bio
Dr. Izabela Z. Schultz is a registered psychologist in BC, Ontario and Washington State. She is a director of CORTEX Centre for Advanced Assessment in Vancouver, a company affiliated with the University of British Columbia. She practices in neuropsychology and clinical psychology. Until her recent retirement from academic work, Dr. Schultz was a Professor of Rehabilitation Psychology at UBC, publishing seven books and dozens of research articles, and presenting nationally and internationally on topics of neurodiversity, nonvisible disabilities and prevention of disability, work capacity, and job accommodations.
She is a recipient of outstanding achievement awards from the BC Psychological Association (2003), the American Psychological Association (2013), and the Association for Scientific Advancement of Psychological Injury and the Law (2018). Dr. Schultz is often called upon as an expert witness to testify in civil, insurance, employment, human rights, and family law cases.
As a clinician at CORTEX Centre, Dr. Schultz provides neuropsychological, psychological, psychovocational and psychoeducational assessments of neurodiverse individuals and consulting on optimizing to-day-and social functioning, education, work, and career. She welcomes complex diagnostic client scenarios and challenging referral questions.
Registration deadline: Feb 21 at 12 PM (PST)