Virtual Lunch and Learn - Traits, Not Tropes: Neurodiversity in Real Life and On the Screen

***Traits, Not Tropes: Neurodiversity in Real Life and On the Screen***

Date: April 7, 2026

Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

You’ve probably seen autism and ADHD on screen and in your everyday life, you just might not have had the labels.

Most people, in real life and in movies and TV, do not come with neat labels attached. And when labels do show up on screen, they are often framed as a punchline or a tragedy. This session takes a different approach. We’ll look at relatable media examples that go beyond the label, not to diagnose any real or fictional person, but to highlight patterns and traits that resonate and help us better understand how neurodiversity can show up in adults.

In this lunch and learn, we’ll explore what neurodiversity can look like in the workplace, especially for adults who have learned to mask, compensate, or “power through” at a cost. We’ll compare common ASD and ADHD traits as they appear in pop culture with how similar traits can show up in real work situations, then translate that into practical, strengths-first language you can actually use.

Objectives:

• Identify common neurodivergent traits (with or without labels)
• Practice strengths-first ways to talk about ASD and ADHD patterns without stereotyping
• Learn practical ways to support different working styles in day-to-day teamwork

Register using the QR code below!