The Neurodiversity Symposium, hosted by the Neurodiversity Working Group of the District of Stendal on 29 April 2026 at Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal’s Stendal campus, met with an exceptionally strong response. All 250 places were fully booked, and the workshops offered as part of the programme were also filled to capacity. The programme included an opening session in the Audimax, two workshop phases, a “Market of Opportunities” with numerous information and networking offers, as well as a scientific poster presentation.

After the welcome and musical accompaniment by Oliver Gascoigne on the cello, the event opened with three keynote presentations. Prof. Dr Christian Lindmeier spoke about the concept of neurodiversity and common misunderstandings surrounding it. Dr Klaus Lüben addressed the topic of autistic people in the workplace, while Dipl.-Psych. Julia Klöfer focused on family life with an autistic child. The event was moderated by Prof. Dr Claudia Wendel, Elisabeth Seyer and Nadine Kaminski.

Elisabeth Seyer, Commissioner for Equal Opportunities and Persons with Disabilities of the District of Stendal, drew a positive conclusion: “Interest in the topic of neurodiversity and neurodivergence appears to remain strong, as does the need for answers, exchange and support. The presentations and workshops by our guests were impressive and responded to this need in a very positive and, in some cases, moving way.”

In the afternoon, the topic was explored in greater depth through workshops from a range of perspectives. The spectrum covered questions of learning and working, family and school contexts, as well as perception, diagnostics and coping with everyday life. The Kompetenzzentrum Inklusive Bildung Sachsen-Anhalt also contributed to the programme with the workshop “Working, Learning and Participating as a Neurodivergent Person – First-Hand Perspectives” and was represented at the Market of Opportunities. The programme was complemented by the poster presentation “Facets of Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence” and around 17 stands where institutions, initiatives and professionals presented their work.

Feedback from participants was consistently positive. Many praised the good organisation, the valuable input and the high professional standard of the event. Participants also emphasised how important personal exchange is with people who know similar experiences and challenges.

Prof. Dr Claudia Wendel, co-organiser of the event and professor at Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal, highlighted the importance of the venue: “With the Neurodiversity Symposium, Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal provided a space in which scientific perspectives, personal experiences and professional practice could enter into intensive exchange.” Looking ahead to the further development of the university, she added: “Our aim is to shape the university as a place where studying is possible for everyone – diversity-sensitive, accessible and open to different life and learning experiences.”

With its high level of participation and positive response, the Neurodiversity Symposium in Stendal once again made clear how great the need is for well-founded information, professional exchange and networking around this topic.