About

We embrace the motto “Nothing about us without us” and acknowledge that our board of directors does not adequately represent the diversity that exists within the neurodivergent community. We are dedicated to building trust and relationships in the neurodivergent community, and by doing so, invite you to be involved as we grow and learn.

I’m an Autistic Occupational Therapist parenting a neurodivergent child. I’ve been an Occupational Therapist for over 13 years, and have served people across the lifespan in schools, pediatrics, TCU/LTC/ALF, and home health.

I’ve also had to personally navigate the health care and education systems. I’ve observed and experienced challenges both providing services and receiving services.

Dr. Julia Sterman (PhD, OTR/L) is a lecturer in occupational therapy at Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland. She has clinical experience providing family-centered, strengths-based therapy in schools, inpatient rehabilitation, clinics, and home-based early intervention. In her teaching and research, she seeks to increase inclusion and well-being of children with disabilities, especially neurodivergent children, by changing environments, including addressing ableism and racism within occupational therapy practice and education.

As a neurodivergent individual who provides mental health therapy services to primarily neurodivergent folks, I have been overwhelmed with the lack of education, support, and understanding there is for all things neurodivergent in the professional community.

Molly Fraser Hoffard is a Partners in Policymaking graduate and mother of 2 children. She became an advocate for neurodiverse and disabled people after the birth of her nonspeaking autistic son. She created a hybrid advocacy and consulting group consisting of people with disabilities with the goal of making places and spaces more welcoming for every single person, regardless of diagnosis.

She serves on several boards related to disability and special education and strives to advocate for self-determination. She works with several agencies and businesses to create events that not only meet the needs of everyone but also make them safe and welcoming for neurodiverse people and their families. She is an advocate working against restraint and seclusion in schools.

Dr. Kelly Killorn is an internationally recognized literacy expert with over 20 years of experience in public education at the primary and secondary levels. As a teacher leader in Bloomington Public Schools (Minnesota), she is implementing a district-wide initiative to build excellence-focused, good practices to prepare students for successful futures. She also works to enhance the performance of in-service educators as a professor in the Graduate School of Education at Hamline University.

I am a neurodivergent individual, wife, and mother. I work full time as a clinical Athletic Trainer and believe that sports grow self confidence and are a great way to form relationships. I believe that every individual should have an opportunity to participate in sport regardless of race, religion, gender identity, or disability. I enjoy running, reading, eating donuts and drinking coffee.

Robyn DeCourcy (she/her) is a proudly neurodivergent and multiply disabled Accessibility and Inclusion Specialist currently working as the Accessibility Coordinator for the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. In addition to a self-designed BS degree in Liberal Arts and Autism Studies, DeCourcy also obtained a Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She has been a disability professional for over 15 years and is a regular speaker, writer, and consultant for a wide range of organizations across the Upper Midwest.

I, Summer Shepstone, have been supporting, advocating for, and collaborating with Neurodivergent Individuals since 1999. It all started with moving people out of institutions and in turn, supporting individuals with developmental disabilities living in the community. It is at this time the that the people I was asked to support, the trips to the capital to march, to chant, to help them be heard but also to speak on their behalf with lawmakers, to promote person first language and de-institutionalization that my passion for the grassroots disability movement was sparked. Eventually, this led to my discovery of Occupational Therapy and its role in helping all people Live Life to the Fullest. In 2008 I, Summer Shepstone, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Master’s in Occupational Therapy and felt I had truly found my calling.

Santanna is a Mental Health Practitioner with over 10 years of experience in the field. Santanna proudly identifies as a Disabled, Autistic/ADHDer with Multiple Neurodivergencies.

They support children/families by providing community-based services. They approach every client holistically, working collaboratively to promote self-determination and navigate barriers.

Santanna is deeply passionate about equity for all identities and intersections. They possess professional and lived experience and are proactively advocate in all areas of their life. Their work speaks to their commitment to advocacy and inclusion: holding a leadership role in the DEI Committee for their workplace, being a board member of MnNeat, and delivering numerous training to various audiences.