friday, february 7, 2025 

Keynote Speakers | Featured Presenters | Pre-Symposium Events | Printable Flyer

Keynote Speaker: Jennifer White-Johnson

Jennifer White-Johnson (Jen) is a Disabled and Neurodivergent artist and designer educator who centers Black Disabled joy and futures in her work, informed by disability justice and Black feminist disability framework. Jen has presented her disability justice activist work and collaborated with a number of brands and art spaces across print and digital such as Target, Coachella, and Adobe Design. Her work is also permanently archived at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the National African American Museum of History and Culture in DC. Jen holds a BA in Visual Art from The University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) and a MFA in Graphic Design from the Maryland Institute College of Art, where she also imparts her knowledge as a current instructor. Jen resides in Baltimore, MD, with her husband and 11-year-old son.

Keynote Speaker: Eric Garcia

Eric Garcia is the Washington Bureau Chief and Senior Washington Correspondent at the Independent and the author of the book We're Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation. He is also a columnist for MSNBC. He previously worked as an assistant editor at the Washington Post’s Outlook section and an associate editor at The Hill, as well as a correspondent for National Journal, MarketWatch, and Roll Call. He has also written for the Daily Beast, the New Republic, and Salon.com. Garcia is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

2025 Featured Presenters

John Marble Founder of Pivot; Writer/Speaker on Innovation, Autism, & Neurodiversity (Co-Author of Neurodiversity for Dummies)	Alex Plank Actor, Film Producer, & Co-Founder of WrongPlanet.net	Dr. Josie Blagrave Chico State Kinesiology Faculty & Autism Clinic Director

Blake Warner, M.A. Clinical Psychology Intern—Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Treatment Track at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior	Marjorie Solomon, Ph.D. Oates Family Endowed Chair in Life Span Development in Autism Professor of Psychiatry Associate Director, MIND Institute UC Davis School of Medicine

Pre-Symposium Events

Artist Meet & Greet with Jennifer White-Johnson

Thursday, February 6, 5:30–7 PM • BSO Gallery (Ayers 105), Chico State Campus
Free & Open to the Public 

Keynote Speaker and renowned artist, Jennifer White-Johnson, will have her work featured in the BSO Gallery (Ayers 105) on Chico State's campus during the week of February 3. The gallery will be open Monday-Friday from 8 AM until 5 PM. This unique exhibit will showcase her powerful and dynamic art, reflecting themes of accessibility, identity, and social justice.

As part of this special event, you are invited to meet Jennifer White-Johnson in person at an artist's reception on Thursday, February 6, from 5:30-7 PM. This is an incredible opportunity to engage with her work and gain insight into her creative process. Whether you're an art enthusiast or curious to learn more, this event promises to be both inspiring and thought-provoking.

Don't miss this chance to connect with Jennifer and experience her art firsthand!

Movie Screening of Ezra

Thursday, February 6 at 7 PM • Laxson Auditorium, Chico State Campus • Rated R
1 Ticket Included with Each Paid Registration
Guest Tickets: $5 (purchase details coming soon)
Watch the Trailer! 

Join us for a special screening of Ezra, the powerful 2023 film starring Tony Goldwyn, Rose Byrne, and Robert De Niro, on Thursday, February 6 at 7 PM in Laxson Auditorium. This emotional drama follows a father’s journey to raise his Autistic son, offering a heartfelt exploration of family, love, and resilience.

We are thrilled to welcome Ezra producer and autism advocate Alex Plank, who will share insights into the making of the film prior to the screening. Alex, who was also the keynote speaker at our 2018 symposium, brings a unique perspective on Autistic representation in media. 

After the film, Alex will be available to greet attendees. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with Alex and experience a deeply moving cinematic story!  

Fees & Registration 

Registration is Open! 

• General Registration: $165  [Register]
Increases to $195 after January 1.

• Group Registration: (11 or more attendees receive 15% discount)  [Register]

• Chico State Faculty, Staff & Currently Enrolled (Spring '25) Students: $50  [Register]
Discounted price is good for up to 75 attendees.

• Far Northern Regional Center Registration: $25 with approval  [Register]
*If participating in the Self Determination Program (SDP), you should use the general registration link and work with your provider for reimbursement. 

Want to share your information with our participants?

We have an opportunity for a limited number of resource providers to participate in the 2025 symposium. Tables will be provided at no cost but anyone staffing the table must register and pay to attend the event. For more information about having a resource provider table check out our exhibitor registration form.

If you would like to provide materials about your organization but not staff a table, contact conferences@csuchico.edu. There is no charge if you want to provide materials for participants if you are not attending. 

Accessibility Information 

Persons with disabilities who need accommodations or have questions about physical access may call the Accessibility Resource Center at 530-898-5959.

About the Neurodiversity & Disability Symposium

As disability rates in the United States rise—currently nearing 13%—individuals and families in rural areas face unique challenges, often lacking access to crucial services and information. The Neurodiversity & Disability Symposium (formerly the Northern California Autism Symposium) seeks to address these gaps by amplifying the voices of Neurodivergent and Disabled individuals, while also providing education for families, educators, and service providers in our region and beyond.

Originally focused on increasing understanding and acceptance of Autistic individuals and those on the autism spectrum*, the symposium has since expanded to include the broader Neurodivergent and Disabled communities. With a commitment to inclusivity, we are bringing together a diverse range of topics and speakers to support all members of our community—ensuring that everyone has access to the knowledge and resources they need.

*Note: This program uses identity-first language where appropriate, while also recognizing that some individuals prefer person-first language. To accommodate the spectrum of preferences, we utilize both. To learn more about these perspectives, visit the AccessATE site.