Presenters: Juliette Gudknecht and Matthew C. Zajic, Teachers College, Columbia University; Ara Bakhteyar, Columbia University

Neurodivergent at Columbia is a student-run, self-advocacy club that has grown to include over 200 individuals across the Columbia University affiliated institutions. This presentation will be a discussion among two neurodivergent students who established the club and the affiliated faculty advisor about the club’s activities, development of new and ongoing programming for undergraduate and graduate students, creation of Neurodiversity Awareness Day event in 2023 (a hybrid event with over 350 registered attendees) and planning for the 2024 event, and future hopes and aspirations of the club. During our session, we will explore the content and influence of our club's activities, highlighting our dedication to promoting inclusiveness, support, and empowerment for neurodivergent individuals within the Columbia University community and beyond. A core component of our session will focus on the intersectionality of neurodiversity and mental health, highlighting how the club’s activities are aligned to the needs of neurodivergent postsecondary students. Specific examples that we will highlight include the development of an autism support group funded by Columbia University Counseling and Psychological services in addition to the role that mental health played during Neurodiversity Awareness Day. Anecdotal examples will also be provided that highlight how the club promotes a holistic approach to inclusivity that acknowledges how to support the mental health of neurodivergent postsecondary students. This session will include discussion of topics that we believe educators, administrators, and advocates will find beneficial in thinking about how to actively promote and provide acceptance and support for neurodivergent individuals within their own academic communities.