Why Neurodiverse by Design LLC?
No two brains are the same. We all communicate, approach problems, and experience the world in unique ways. This variation is neurodiversity. Most of our organizations were not designed with neurodiversity in mind, which limits personal and organizational success. While neurodiversity is “the norm,” knowing how to talk about and support that diversity is not. That’s where Neurodiverse by Design LLC comes in.
Featured Blog Post
Crystal Clarity: “What was that like for you?”
My son and I went to a free Sound Healing session at the local library. Meditative practices are generally not our thing, but we both need all the help we can get to settle our minds these days. Plus, it’s a grey midwestern Saturday in February. Needless to say, the room...
Meet Dr. Laura DeThorne
I founded Neurodiverse by Design LLC based on 20 years of expertise in communication, autism, and neurodiversity. Through my roles as speech-language pathologist, researcher, teacher, mentor, administrator, and parent, I’ve gained a deep appreciation for the importance of neurodivergent perspectives, thoughtful communication practices, compassionate accountability, and the ability to think outside the box. Let’s connect and learn together.
What Services Are Available?
- Professional Education – variety of customizable courses or workshops on topics related to autism, communication differences, neurodiversity, evidence-based practices, and research methods
- Communication Coaching — one-on-one sessions aimed at leadership development and conflict-resolution through a neurodiversity-affirming lens
- Document Preparation – assistance in writing policies, grants, and evidence-based articles that support neurodiversity in everyday environments
- A flyer summarizing Neurodiverse by Design’s services can be found here.
Neuro Niche
This month Dr. Laura DeThorne received a shoutout from NIU’s Women’s Basketball Team for her contributions to student success as an instructor of REHB 200: Disability and Society. In general, student feedback on the course noted appreciation for the organization, guest speakers, reasonable workload, group work, and passion for the content. One student commented, “Dr. DeThorne did an excellent job at creating an environment in which students felt comfortable to share their opinions and thoughts on a topic as well as be able to discuss more difficult topics.”
