Tech Unlimited Students Take the Stage at the CUNY Neurodiversity Conference

On March 27th, four Tech Unlimited students, Riley, Joey, Ishaan, and Aaron, represented our programs at the CUNY Neurodiversity Conference. As part of a student-led panel titled Transformative Experiences Leading to Shifts in Narratives, they were joined by moderator Brittany Banks, LCSW to share their personal stories of navigating the transition into higher education.

Their panel centered on what becomes possible when programs prioritize choice, flexibility, and sustained support. Riley, Joey, Ishaan, and Aaron spoke about how pursuing their passions through technology, collaborating on real projects, and building community through mentorship and alumni networks reshaped not just their skills but their sense of what they were capable of. The conversation moved away from deficit-focused thinking and toward a strengths-based understanding of neurodivergent students, offering attendees a new framework for designing inclusive, social-emotional learning environments that elevate student agency and long-term success.

Above all, our students came with a message: it is time to shift how neurodivergent individuals are perceived. They urged attendees to recognize strengths and to make space for students to ask for and receive real support. We are incredibly proud of the courage and clarity they brought to the stage, and their stories remind us why neurodivergent voices matter during Autism Acceptance Month and every month.