The Neuroinclusive Practice and Leadership interdisciplinary certificate prepares undergraduate students to recognize and honor neurodiversity in the systems around them and to work as advocates and leaders of neuroinclusive practices within their chosen careers. Based on extensive guidance from major employers and community stakeholders, this program was designed to address a critical gap in workforce readiness for professionals, managers, leaders, and client-facing practitioners.
First, students learn about human neurodiversity and why it is beneficial, exploring why it is critically important to move from the dominant pathology paradigm towards the neurodiversity paradigm. Once they understand key foundational concepts of critical neurodiversity, students will examine the arena of work. They will distinguish between neuronormative assumptions and neurodivergent-affirming approaches, identifying specific neuroinclusive practices that can be adopted within organizations as well as on behalf of the people these organizations serve. Students will explore what it means to act as an inclusive leader in a neurodiverse workplace, engaging in experiential learning in their chosen career. Students from all fields–business, education, psychology, health care, justice, therapeutic settings, and more–can participate and explore how they can foster diversity, equity, and inclusion for all individuals and leverage the full range of human neurodiversity to accomplish new possibilities in their work. We intend to work closely with key employers, including holding a collaborative business relationship with Ernst & Young LLP (EY), to provide opportunities for work experiences for students as well as assisting us with continuously updating the curriculum based on the evolving initiatives in their organizations.
Course 1 TLRN/MGMT 250: Introduction to Neurodiversity and Neuroinclusive Practice
Course 2 TLRN/MGMT 350: Neuroinclusive Workplaces and Professional Practice
Course 3 TLRN/MGMT 355: Neuroinclusive Leadership Development
Contact Us:
Kirsten Richert
Assistant Teaching Professor
Management Department | Feliciano School of Business
Direct: 201-563-0505 | richertk@mail.montclair.edu