Thanks to these incredible professionals agreeing to be on our On the Spectrum: A Neurodivergence Panel Discussion on September 28, 2024, at Flying Pig Improv, 3203 E. Douglas Ave. in Wichita, Kansas.
About the event: The mystery of a neurodiversity misdiagnosis is difficult to solve, thanks to its sneaky overlapping symptoms with other conditions. With no magic lab test or brain scan in sight for a foolproof diagnosis, many go through their lives without understanding why they function differently. To add to the confusion, most medical testing is done on men, so women often go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed because of the way autism shows up differently in them.
In this informative panel discussion, we’ll unpack the complexities of how neurodivergency shows up differently in women, the complications of missed diagnosis, and adjusting to perceptions.
This event is open to the public, and everyone is welcome.
The registration fee is $10 at the door or in advance.
We are meeting at Flying Pig Improv at 3203 E. Douglas Ave. from 6 to 8 PM.
Panelists:
Tami Allen, Co-Executive Director for Families Together, Inc.
Tami Allen is the Co-Executive Director for Families Together Inc. and Project Director for the Family-to-Family Health Center. She has had over 38 years of experience working with Families Together as a voice for children and youth with special healthcare needs.
With a family of 8 children and many grandchildren, Tami and her husband, Terry, have a deeply personal understanding of special healthcare needs. Their son Skylar, 42, is a young adult with special health care needs, including cerebral palsy, and Tami has been instrumental in developing his health care plan and independent living services. This experience has fueled her advocacy work in transitioning from school to adult services, employment and Independent Living, advocacy and policy-making, and parent and family engagement within the community. She also strongly advocates for Supported Decision Making and Family-Centered Health Care. She is also a LifeCourse Ambassador and Coach.
Tami has served on several advisory boards, including The State Independent Living
Council of Kansas, Kansas Assistive Technology Advisory Board, Living Independently in
Northwest Kansas Board, Oral Health Kansas, Kansas Vocational Rehabilitation Advisory Board and National Collaborative on Supporting Families.
Dr. Treva Etsitty, Autistic Autism Specialist
Dr. Treva Etsitty is an Autism Specialist with a Doctorate in Educational Psychology. Certified as a Trauma Resilient Professional and Autism Specialist, she integrates trauma-informed practices into her work. With over two decades of experience in child development and five years in psychological research, Dr. Etsitty’s focus is on building resilience and offering neuro-affirming support for autistic individuals. As an autistic individual herself, and a parent of three autistic and two ADHD children, her work is deeply personal and driven by a passion for advocating inclusive, trauma-sensitive care.
She actively promotes resilience-building, prioritizes the strengths of neurodivergent individuals, and works to create environments that honor and support their natural ways of being. She has contributed to research on maladaptive metacognitions and addiction, and she is committed to developing tools and programs that cater to the unique needs of autistic individuals. In addition to her professional work, she is dedicated to ongoing learning and helping others thrive.
Her research, including work on maladaptive metacognitions and addiction, reflects her broad interests in understanding complex behaviors. Dr. Etsitty is currently involved in projects that aim to develop reliable tools for better supporting autistic individuals. She values collaboration and clear communication, finding motivation in continued learning and helping others thrive. In her personal time, she enjoys exploring diverse scientific fields and is always seeking ways to balance her self-care alongside her professional commitments.
Kelli Grant, Director at Brain Balance
Kelli Grant, lead director at Brain Balance in Wichita, will bring her knowledge of qualitative research methods and social systems and her lived experiences to this panel discussion. Brain Balance helps children who struggle behaviorally, socially, and academically through a holistic and integrated approach customized to meet each child's needs. Kelli is passionate about helping others discover their full potential and has previously worked as a private coach in public service and business. She has master’s degrees in criminal justice and sociology and has taught at Wichita State, Kansas Newman, and Kansas State.
A J Locachio, Founder and Executive Director at UmbrellaUS
AJ Locashio (she/they) is a consultant who helps organizations become more inclusive. AJ is also the founder and executive director of a non-profit organization and a board-certified coach. AJ is known for their ability to tackle diversity issues with humor and resilience. AJ is neurodivergent and has a lot of experience working with other neurodivergent people. AJ believes everyone should feel like they belong in the workplace, regardless of their background or abilities.
Moderator:
Jill D. Miller is passionate about helping people grow – professionally and personally. Her consulting company, Creative Solutions, has helped fledgling and seasoned entrepreneurs launch and grow out-of-the-ordinary and sometimes quirky ventures since 1998. Jill found her gift for teaching as a corporate trainer and loves influencing young minds as an adjunct professor of Entrepreneurship in the Arts at Wichita State University.
As Headmistress of the Finishing School for Modern Women, Jill has worked with thousands of women, inspiring them to overcome obstacles and move toward their goals. She founded the Badass Women of Wichita Alliance in 2021 with weekly gatherings to build community, promote nonprofits, and develop “badassery.”
After writing a blog for the Finishing School for seven years, Jill was inspired to compile her favorites into her first book, “Never Finished: Practical advice for Modern Women to inspire your fierce, authentic self she published in October 2022.
Active in the Wichita community, Jill leads cultural and women's organizations and is a zealous volunteer. In her spare time, she likes to attend artistic events and relax at home with her miniature rescue poodle, Jack.
This panel is sponsored by Optometric Billings Solutions, optometricbilling.com, (316) 722-2021 and Flying Pig Improv, flyingpigimprov.com, (316) 833-1889
Thank you to our sponsor, Optometric Billing Solutions!
Because of their sponsorship, we're able to keep the prices for our Badass Women of Wichita Alliance events at only $10, including panel discussions.
At 10501 W. Hampton Lakes in Maize, OBS is a woman-owned, nationally recognized insurance billing company for optometrist clinics in 43 states. It was named by Wichita Business Journal as one of the best places to work in Wichita, based on confidential employee job satisfaction surveys.
If you’re ready for a career in an employee-centered company with flexible hours and options to work at home after training, OBS wants to talk to you! Go to https://bit.ly/OBSBadass for more information.
Sending a resume to BWWA@obsteam.com and letting OBS know the applicant is referred by the Badass network automatically guarantees them an interview. Make sure they drop your name when they apply! OBS rewards your referral with $150 cash each time the person you sent gets hired!
Did you know I've published a book? Learn more about it here!
Because We’re Never Finished
The Finishing School for Modern Women, located in Wichita, Kansas, offers classes to help women find their authentic selves, not because we need finishing, but because we’re never finished. We bring together women of all ages to learn from experts and each other how to claim our power in business, finance, communication, and life.
To learn more about what we do:
https://www.finishingschoolformodernwomen.com for our classes and free social membership.
Contact Us
Phone: 316-841-8927 Email: jill@finishingschoolformodernwomen.com