Neurodiverse by Design
Neurodiverse by Design, LLC was founded in August 2024 by Dr. Laura DeThorne to support and strengthen neurodiverse communities. “Neurodiverse” means that our brains, like our bodies, are inherently unique. Everyone communicates, learns, and experiences the world differently. Neurodiversity includes everyone, while “neurodivergent” refers to people who tend to have diagnosable brain types, like autism or adhd.
Many organizations and systems weren’t designed with neurodiversity in mind, which creates barriers to both personal and organizational growth. While brain diversity is natural, knowing how to support such diversity in everyday life, is not. Neurodiverse by Design works to remove unnecessary barriers through communication, education, and mentorship.
Grounded in Evidence-based Practice
Neurodiverse by Design is committed to evidence-based practices that combine research, professional expertise, and the life experiences of neurodivergent people. Its founder, Dr. Laura DeThorne, has worked for over 20 years as a clinician, professor, and university administrator. She has contributed over 70 publications on topics like communication, autism, and neurodiversity.
For the past decade, Dr. DeThorne has focused on amplifying the perspectives of neurodivergent people in research and in the classroom. Pictured here are two college students who worked with Dr. DeThorne on their honors theses, both focused on the experiences of neurodivergent college students
Additional research, as well as resources from Autistic creators, will be available on our Resources page (coming soon).
Working with a Variety of Community Partners
Neurodiverse by Design works with schools, universities, businesses, and other organizations to support neurodiversity in everyday settings. Services include personalized mentoring and coaching, workshops and presentations, follow-up sessions to help implement strategies, and assistance with reviewing or creating documents like policies, curriculum, grants, and research. Successful partnerships have included academics, administrators, advocates, allied health professionals, initiative directors, educators, and employers.
Feedback from Community Partners
“You have inspired me to be a fierce advocate so my daughter will be recognized for who she is. You’ve shown me that we don’t need to change our children as much as we need to change the systems that surround them. And you have shown me – and many other families – how to do this work.”
Researcher & parent
Dr. Michelle Miller-Adams,
August 2024
“I used to think, where do I find a smart sassy mentor; now I think, damn there is a smart sassy mentor.”
Attendee at Oakland Schools
Continuing Ed,
Sept, 2023
“You successfully created a place where participants felt safe but were also encouraged to take on some real shifts in their practice. We cannot thank you enough for sharing your story, your expertise, and your perspectives with us.”
Jennifer Ryan
Oakland Schools Neurodiversity Speaker Series,
November, 2024
A Note about Our Logo
The Neurodiverse by Design logo was designed with the individualized attention, technical skill, and artistic expertise of Sherri Lasko. Our goal was to reflect creativity, connection, curiosity, and calm. It represents the inherent biodiversity of the natural world–a merger between our humanity and the forest that surrounds us. As my son described it, it is “half tree and half brain.”
On a personal level, the logo also brings together parts of who I am: a scientist, like my father, and a naturalist at heart with a particular fondness for trees, like my mother. The colorful overlapping circles in the canopy illustrate how unique differences can come together to form a beautiful whole. In short, it represents the potential of neurodiversity, by design.