This chapter discusses the topic of supporting neurodivergent learners, specifically focusing on dyslexia. The speaker shares personal challenges they face with dyslexia, such as spelling words backwards in their mind. They also highlight the importance of understanding and accommodating the specific challenges faced by neurodivergent learners.
Will Hennessy shares about fostering neurodivergent learners’ growth on episode 499 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Quotes from the episode
Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary, internal and external tics that occur repeatedly in the same way. OCD is a neurological disorder that causes problems with information processing.
-Will Hennessy
I honestly thought that I just wasn’t as smart as my peers, that I just needed to try harder, or that one day, I guess, it would just kinda all click in my brain. Now, obviously, I know that’s not the case now, but that’s kind of where I was at.
-Will Hennessy
I want to create inclusive learning environments for neurodivergent learners and introverts, students like me.
-Will Hennessy
Structure is incredibly important for neurodivergent learners. Even though we’re implementing flexibility and choice, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it has to be a free for all where students can just do whatever they want, that could actually hinder learning.
-Will Hennessy
Neurodivergent learners need structure. All learners need need structure.
-Will Hennessy