Are you a student with ADHD and/or Autism who sometimes…
•    struggles to define your day-to-day needs? 
•    feels unsure how to express those needs to others?
•    notices you “mask” parts of yourself to fit in?
•    finds it difficult to set boundaries or say no?
•    wants to feel more confident in asking for support?

In this workshop, we will explore how identity and values form the foundation for self-advocacy. Through interactive activities, we will practice recognizing personal needs, unmasking, and building simple scripts for asking and boundary-setting. The workshop will give you the opportunity to reflect on who you are, what matters to you, and how you might communicate that in ways that feel safe and authentic.

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to…
•  identify and name your personal needs more clearly
• understand common barriers to self-advocacy (like fear, shame, or past invalidation)
• practice simple scripts for asking, asserting, or setting boundaries
• take away small, gentle steps you can try in your daily life

The workshop will be facilitated by Eva Ipektzidou and Gesa Lange, student counsellors at SBE and UCM, respectively. As part of the UM project team Embracing Neurodiversity: Let’s Talk about ADHD and Autism, they are dedicated to fostering a safe and welcoming environment at UM where neurodivergent individuals can express their needs, access appropriate support, and feel understood.