(via Library Juice Academy)
Registration is open for the Library Juice Academy asynchronous course “Understanding and Supporting Neurodiverse Colleagues”. The next offering will take place online from Monday, May 4, to Sunday, May 31. Please see below for more information, including the link to registration.
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 instructor, Dawn Behrend (Associate Dean of Administrative Services at the Thomas G. Carpenter Library at the University of North Florida), has a unique background in being a second-career librarian after having worked as a Licensed Psychological Associate for over 20 years and having extensive experiencing in performing psychological evaluations for ASD.
This course is worth 1.5 CEUs or 15 PDHs. The cost is $250.00.
For additional details, including the course objectives, and to register, please go here.