The Neurodiversity of Building Self-Determination and Resilience

We all go through situations in life that hold us back, yet allow us to dream bigger than before. For me, these challenges varied, from passing state exams in school, to succeeding in a professional world not always accommodating for neurodivergent professionals. This presentation will incorporate current research on how people are motivated by self-determination theory (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), how people of all abilities can determine their own strengths and challenges in life, and use the theory, along with their strengths and areas of growth to identify, measure, and accomplish their goals.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Participants will learn about self-determination theory, including its three psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness), and how people of all abilities are motivated through fulfillment of these needs

2. Participants will learn how to identify and become self-aware of their own strengths and areas of growth without judgement in order to build their own personal resilience

3. Participants will learn how to use a combination of their strengths, areas of growth, and fulfillment of the psychological needs, to identify, measure (daily, weekly, monthly, annually), and accomplish their goals