Neurodiversity in Education

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By Sam Piha 

According to Google AI, “Neurodiversity in education is important because it acknowledges and embraces the natural variation in how humans process information and learn. This approach encourages inclusive learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of all students, including those who may have conditions like autism, ADHD, or dyslexia. By embracing neurodiversity, educators can create more equitable and effective learning experiences for all students."

Here's why neurodiversity is crucial in education: 

1. Promoting Inclusivity and Acceptance: Neurodiversity helps to de-stigmatize different ways of thinking and learning, fostering a more inclusive and accepting environment for all students. It encourages empathy and understanding among students, as they learn about the unique perspectives and experiences of their neurodivergent peers. By valuing and celebrating differences, neurodiversity helps to create a more supportive and positive learning environment for all students, including those who may be neurodivergent. 
2. Enhancing Learning Outcomes: Neurodiverse students can benefit from a more flexible and personalized approach to learning that caters to their individual strengths and needs. By providing a variety of teaching methods and resources, educators can ensure that all students have access to the information and support they need to succeed. Neurodiversity can also help to foster innovation and creativity, as diverse perspectives can lead to new and more effective ways of problem-solving and learning. 
3. Supporting Neurodivergent Students: Neurodiversity provides a framework for understanding and addressing the challenges faced by neurodivergent students in the classroom. It encourages educators to implement accommodations and strategies that can help neurodivergent students to learn and thrive, such as providing sensory accommodations, clear instructions, and opportunities for self-advocacy. By recognizing and supporting their unique needs, educators can help neurodivergent students to develop their strengths, build confidence, and reach their full potential. 
4. Benefits for All Students: Inclusive classrooms, where neurodiversity is embraced, can benefit all students by creating a more engaging and supportive learning environment. Neurodiversity can also help to improve social and emotional development, as students learn to interact with and support one another. By promoting empathy and understanding, neurodiversity can help to create a more inclusive and accepting society.” 

INTEGRATE SUPPORTIVE PRACTICES INTO CLASSROOM TEACHING AND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS

Christina Frasher

According to Christina Frasher, visiting assistant professor in the School of Education, University of Pittsburgh, “There are a variety of practices one can integrate into their teaching repertoire that support all students and in particular those who identify as neurodiverse. These strategies include integrating inclusive teaching practices, offering transparency and clarity, including choice and flexibility, and humanizing the learning environment.

As in all inclusive teaching practices, the most important place to start is by beginning with one’s self. Ask, what are your own assumptions on what makes a good student? Consider critiquing neurotypical patterns of communication and presentation that may be normative in academic environments. Reflect on the different patterns of communication and presentation that display interest and engagement and assess them for validity.

Additionally, you may want to inquire as to what your triggers in the learning environment are and what you may perceive as 'negative' behavior. Many neurodiverse individuals struggle with feeling misunderstood in social interactions, due to the random nature of neurotypical social interactions (Belek, 2018) and this can create miscommunication in educational settings. Knowing our own perceived modes of communication can be a tremendous asset in developing affirming teaching strategies that support all students. 

• Inclusive Teaching Practices: Integrating an inclusive design into your courses can support all students. A helpful first step is considering offering elements of Universal Design for Learning. Consider ways to offer multiple methods of Engagement, Representation and Action and Expression.

Additionally, consider the diversity of content and perspectives, can you offer non-western, non-ableist perspectives for example? Inclusive teaching practices are foundational to supporting a learning environment where all students are supported and can thrive, to expand your inclusive teaching practice consider exploring the resources offered below.

• Transparency and Clarity: One ongoing practice you can integrate into your teaching is to offer transparency and clarity to your course structure and materials. Transparency includes offering explicit directives on the how, what and why of assignments and course responsibilities. This includes offering guidance on the “how to” aspects of the learning environment, such as what classroom participation looks like, what are office hours, group work responsibilities, etc. 

A simple first step is to revise what you already have for clarity and organization (reduce language, utilize spacing and bullet points constructively). Other options include offering clear and consistent communication, establishing routines, and creating predictability which increases students’ confidence in navigating your courses.

• Student Choice and Flexibility: Another pathway to bolstering students is to offer choice and flexibility in course assignments and activities. Consider offering flexible due dates or integrating the use of tokens. It is important to have due dates and offer structure however to support regulatory practices in learning. 

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Providing choice in assignments , such as ways to integrate their major or particular interests they may have, allows students to bring their unique experiences and interests into educational settings, which can be very affirming for neurodiverse students. Adding multiple ways to be successful (such as in assignments and participation) can support neurodiverse students in bringing their strengths and assets to the learning environment.

• Humanize the Learning Environment: Finally, consider humanizing the learning environment of your courses. Imagine ways in which you can integrate your own authenticity into the learning environment (Hamilton & Petty, 2023), ensuring that this offering supports student learning and success. 

Explicitly create social connections and offer activities that build community such as games, art-making, listening activities, etc. Consider alternative attention supports (knitting, fidget toys, movement) and changing different sensory aspects in your learning environment (reduce lighting, etc).” 2

For a full briefing paper on neurodiversity, click here.

 END NOTES:
[i] Google AI, Why is Neurodiversity Important in Education?

[ii] Christina Frasher, Supporting Neurodiversity in Learning Environments