Advocate & Author
What Joel Brings to the Conversation
-
Lived Experience
Joel speaks from personal experience, offering a perspective that helps others better understand how neurodivergent students experience academic and social environments. -
Warm, Approachable Style
Joel doesn’t lecture he connects. His sessions feel like open, honest conversations that invite reflection and engagement. -
Practical, Thoughtful Perspective
Audiences leave with a clearer understanding of where communication breaks down—and ideas they can begin to explore in their own environments.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
You widened our understanding of neurodiversity and reinforced the values we should hold around all kinds of differences.
Stell Simonton
First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
So many people said it was one of the best programs they had ever experienced at our Fellowship.
Connie Ussery
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Columbus
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
Joel Kottman's sermon/presentation on neurodiversity is heartfelt, engaging and instructive. We built an entire service around this theme, which was very well received.
Rev. Marti Keller
Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
You were truly the star of the show… everyone walked away with new knowledge and appreciation for teaching neurodivergent students.
Tracey Y. Hurd
Director, Student Accessibility Services,
University of North Georgia
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
Your presentation was very engaging! I overheard one of the students telling their peers that you were the best guest speaker we've ever had! So, thank you for sharing your story, especially with those that plan to enter a career in education. You are making a difference!
Joy Tinney
Teaching as a Profession Instructor & FCCLA Advisor
Lumpkin County High School
Topics & Conversations
Understanding the
Neurodiverse Experience
Explore how neurodiverse students experience college differently and where misunderstandings
often begin.
Preparing Neurodiverse
Students for College
Support students, families, and educators in navigating the transition to college with more clarity and realistic expectations.
Neurodiversity &
Self-Advocacy
A look at how students learn to communicate their needs and how educators and communities can better support that process.
Invite Joel to Speak
Authentic. Insightful. Grounded.
Joel Kottman brings a perspective that many conversations about neurodiversity are missing: lived experience, explained in a way others can understand.
As a neurodivergent author, advocate, and speaker, Joel shares personal insight that helps educators, staff, and community audiences better understand how academic and social environments are actually experienced from the inside.
Whether he is joining a panel, speaking to a group, Joel helps audiences recognize unspoken expectations, rethink assumptions, and approach neurodivergent students with more clarity and understanding.