The healthcare sector is evolving to become more inclusive, yet neurodivergent individuals often face significant barriers due to a lack of understanding and support. This session addresses the timely and significant issue of neurodiversity, highlighting the importance of inclusivity for enhancing the educational and professional experiences of neurodivergent individuals. Embracing neurodiversity not only supports individual well-being but also enriches the collective capabilities of healthcare teams, ultimately leading to improved patient care and innovation. As we look towards the next 25 years of health professions education, it is imperative to prepare educators and institutions to inclusively integrate neurodiverse individuals, ensuring a diverse and capable healthcare workforce.

Agenda & Methods

• Introduction (10 mins): Welcome, session overview, and brief introduction to neurodiversity, including definitions and examples of neurodivergent conditions.
• Understanding Neurodiversity (20 mins):
  • Presentation on key concepts and benefits of neurodiversity in healthcare
  • Discussion on challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, including personal narratives
• Inclusive Strategies and Best Practices (20 mins):
  • Interactive session on effective strategies for supporting neurodivergent individuals
  • Case studies of successful neurodiversity initiatives
  • Q&A and discussion
• Action Planning Workshop (30 mins):
  • Small group activity to develop actionable plans for enhancing inclusivity and support
  • Guiding questions provided
  • Group sharing and feedback, with facilitator input
• Q&A and Wrap-Up (10 mins):
  • Open floor for questions
  • Summary of key takeaways
  • Next steps and resources provided