In this free webinar organised by Radboud University on 22 September, Professor of Cognitive Diversity Léon de Bruin and Sven Mathijssen, deputy head of the RITHA programme, will focus in particular on the relationship between neurodiversity and giftedness. They delve into the scientific literature and examine how the two concepts relate to one another. To what extent can giftedness be understood as a form of neurodiversity, and what does that mean for education, support and work?
Neurodiversity is a topic that is increasingly coming to the fore in education and the workplace. Organisations and educational institutions are looking for ways to do justice to the natural variation in how people think, feel, learn, communicate and experience the world. Whilst the term ‘neurodiversity’ refers to the entire spectrum of human variation, the term ‘neurodivergence’ is used to describe people who think, feel, learn or process information in a way that differs from what is considered typical or ‘neurotypical’ within a given society. Neurodivergence includes, amongst other things, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and Tourette’s syndrome.
Learn about the relationship between neurodiversity and giftedness
At the same time, there is debate about the precise definition of the concept. For example, some people also regard high sensitivity and giftedness as forms of neurodiversity. Furthermore, there is a vast amount of information circulating about neurodiversity. The quality of this information varies greatly and can sometimes even be misleading. This raises questions about what neurodiversity actually means, what scientific insights are available, and how professionals can deal with this in practice in a responsible and effective manner.
In this free webinar from Radboud University, we will explore these questions and pay particular attention to the relationship between neurodiversity and giftedness. We will delve into the scientific literature and examine how these two concepts relate to one another. To what extent can giftedness be understood as a form of neurodiversity, and what does that mean for education, support and work?
From scientific insights to practical guidance
Philosopher and professor Prof. Dr Léon de Bruin and deputy head of training at the Radboud International Training on High Ability (RITHA), Dr Sven Mathijssen, will discuss this topic, moderated by Dr Marije Klomp, director of the Radboud Centre for Social Sciences. One of the reasons for this discussion is a recent article by Mathijssen, in which he demonstrates that the scientific evidence for giftedness as a form of neurodiversity is limited and not unequivocal.
The speakers will explore what this means for how we view differences between people and how we approach talent, support and inclusion in education and the workplace.
- Dr Sven Mathijssen’s article on giftedness and neurodiversity is recommended reading.
- Prof. Dr Léon de Bruin regularly discusses topics relating to neurodiversity and psychiatry on Radboud Reflects. Listen back to his conversation with psychology student Juliana Waloschek about neurodiversity at university or his contribution to an evening event on neurodiversity.
What will you gain from this webinar?
- An understanding of neurodiversity and giftedness from a scientific perspective
- More practical guidance in a field characterised by a wide range of perspectives
- Reflection on how to apply scientific knowledge to education and professional practice
Who is this webinar for?
- Education professionals, such as lecturers, teachers, internal counsellors, care coordinators, educational developers, study advisers and school leaders
- HR professionals, such as HR advisers, HR managers, recruiters, talent managers, L&D specialists, people & culture professionals
- Giftedness specialists, such as giftedness specialists, talent developers, giftedness coaches, experts in gifted education, and teachers of enrichment classes
- Neurodiversity specialists, such as diversity and inclusion (D&I) specialists, neurodiversity advisers, specialists in inclusive education or inclusion policy, and workplace inclusion experts
- Managers, coaches and advisers, such as team leaders, managers, board members, organisational consultants, career coaches and executive coaches
Practical information
Date: Tuesday 22 September 2026
Time: 16:00–16:45 uur
Speakers: prof. dr. Léon de Bruin & dr. Sven Mathijssen
Moderator: dr. mr. Marije Klomp
Cost: free
About the speakers
Prof. Dr Léon de Bruin is Professor of Cognitive Diversity at Radboud University Nijmegen and Professor of Philosophy of Neuroscience at Amsterdam UMC. His research and teaching lie at the intersection of the philosophy of mind, neuroscience and psychiatry. In his inaugural lecture “From Disorder to Difference” (2025), he advocates a shift from the medical model towards a more inclusive perspective on neurodiversity.
Dr Sven Mathijssen is deputy head trainer of the Radboud International Training on High Ability (RITHA), a programme accredited by ECHA. He is also a board member of the European Council for High Ability (ECHA). Mathijssen was editor-in-chief of the popular science magazine *Talent* and publishes on giftedness and talent development.
