Call for Presentations

Breakout sessions will be one hour in length (includes presentation and Q&A). All breakout sessions will take place in the afternoon. Session presenters receive full day conference registration, CEUs as eligible, lunch, and are featured on the conference webpage, social media, and in printed conference materials. Session presenters may choose to share business cards/flyers on a shared community resource table. There is no other financial compensation.

Content should be relevant to the conference theme and have defined learning objectives, with presenters clearly qualified to teach the content based on their professional expertise. Topics relevant to specific groups and identities encouraged as well as those with broader application. We seek a range of potential topics that address neurodiversity as relevant to diagnosis, various life phases and experiences, in relationships, and in the culture at large (let’s talk about those superpowers!). Presentations that foster inclusiveness among our range of attendees will be prioritized, with innovative introductory level content preferred. While mental health professionals seek takeaways that inform their practice, presenters should be mindful that not all participants will be familiar with acronyms, jargon and specific terminology.

Breakouts are scheduled for 1pm, 2:15pm, and 3:30pm with 15-minute breaks between sessions. Efforts will be made to accommodate time slot preference, and presenters may be offered the opportunity to present more than once should their topic be in high demand (based on preliminary registration). Presenters are encouraged to attend and take part in the full conference, culminating with an optional networking session immediately following the third breakout.

Posters will be available for viewing from 9am-9:45am and during lunch from 12pm-12:45pm. Poster presenters receive full day conference registration and lunch and will be referenced on the conference webpage and in printed conference materials. Presenters are encouraged to attend and take part in the full conference, culminating with an optional networking session immediately following the third breakout.

Posters should be relevant to the conference theme and may focus on experimental or applied research, innovative practice or intervention, literature review, etc. Please plan to present your poster to a general audience. Attendees will be from diverse professional backgrounds and may not be familiar with the terminology of your specific field. Posters should be visually appealing and easily readable.

Applications will be accepted starting Monday, December 2, 2024, and breakout proposals are due no later than Friday, January 31, 2025. Poster proposals will be accepted until Friday, April 18, 2025. 

Breakout session presenters must provide all necessary information by February 28, 2025 for the presentation to be eligible for CEU consideration. Breakout session presenters will also be asked to submit a formal bio, professional photo, and CV/resume, as well as any desired links for websites, social media connections, etc. Members of the NRCI team will be assigned to assist presenters with meeting all requirements, including identification/verification of references in APA format. 

If you wish to discuss your presentation ideas prior to submitting an application, please contact us via email at NRCInstitute@thechicagoschool.edu.