About Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity describes the view that variation (diversity) in thinking and learning (neuro-) should be celebrated.
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This viewpoint is at the center of what we believe, and are working to help others understand.
Conditions in the Neurodiversity umbrella include ADHD, Dyslexia, Learning Disabilities, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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Key points of our particular view include:
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Brain differences are not deficits! Variation in thinking, learning, and socializing is normal.
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Diagnoses and labels (like ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Learning Differences) help folks get services, find community, and understand themselves- but these conditions and labels are only part of the story.
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Stigma around diagnoses and labels is outdated!
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We do not strive to "fix" variations in perceiving and interacting with the world - rather, we strive to build understanding and support for all individuals.
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When we understand our unique brain, we feel empowered to advocate for our needs, find community and connection, and experience our best quality of life.
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It is a basic human right to be understood and accepted for who we are.
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With the right support, every individual can thrive in the environment of their choice.
About our Team
Jenna Swartzberg Sommer
M.A., CCC-SLP
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Jenna created Neurodiverse at Camp
to bring her expertise in inclusion planning
and neurodiversity advocacy
back to her first home - camp.
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It's no secret that Jenna is a lifelong "camp person," with endless gratitude for her time as a camper and counselor.
Jenna is a certified Speech Language Pathologist with over a decade of professional experience identifying and delivering services to children and adolescents with all sorts of needs. She has partnered with public school systems, independent education communities, and individual families to build understanding and awareness of neurodiverse conditions and plan for accommodations.
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Jenna especially treasured her time as a faculty member at an independent school for children with Learning Differences, where she had the opportunity to accompany her neurodiverse students on various field trips, overnight experiences, and athletic endeavors.
She learned that there were two key components to a successful "off campus" experience for her students: ensuring that her students felt empowered to advocate for their own needs in the world, and quickly identifying appropriate accommodations in times of need.
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Jenna believes that "teachable moments" are everywhere if we are flexible enough to find them, and that the most valuable learning and growing often happens outside of the classroom.
In her spare time, Jenna enjoys listening to podcasts, hiking, testing out new fidgets, and spending time with her husband and rescue dog.
Jenna identifies with the HSP (Highly Sensitive Person) label, and is most often overloaded by fluorescent lights, motion sickness, and the seams of socks.
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