TPP 424: Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools, with Amanda Morin & Emily Kircher-Morris

Today we’re diving into a topic that’s not just timely but that can transform education for all students: creating neurodiversity-affirming schools. Joining me to share their vision for what’s possible in education are two extraordinary advocates and experts, Amanda Morin and Emily Kircher-Morris who have collaborated on a wonderful new book on the topic, just out today in fact, Neurodiversity Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted & Supported.

In today’s episode, we explored why embracing neurodiversity in schools benefits every student, not just those with IEPs. Amanda and Emily unpacked the barriers to change in education, including stigma and fear, and introduce how strategies like Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can be used to create inclusive classrooms. We also discussed the Neurodiversity Affirming Teacher's Compact, a framework for educators to embrace diverse learning needs, and finally, the importance of fostering self-advocacy skills in neurodivergent students.

About Amanda Morin

Amanda Morin is a neurodivergent neurodiversity activist, an award-winning author of six books, early childhood specialist, and nationally known speaker, deeply committed to fostering accessible and inclusive environments for neurodivergent individuals. She leverages her expertise in learning and child development, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), special education, advocacy, and mental health to distill complex data into easily digestible information for parents, educators, and employers who want to advance the mission of creating inclusive content, programs, and strategies to make the world accessible to all. Amanda proudly serves as a subject matter expert for the DUCC (Developing & Using Critical Comprehension) project for the Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab (PERIL) at American University, sits on the advisory board of Digital Promise’s Learner Variability Project, the professional advisory board of Matan, and the Technical Expert Panel of the American Academy of Pediatrics Center of Excellence on Social Media & Youth Mental Health.

About Emily Kircher-Morris

Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC, is a mental health professional and advocate for neurodiversity, with a deep commitment to creating inclusive and supportive environments for all students. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, she has spent over a decade working with neurodivergent individuals, specializing in providing therapy and resources that empower her clients to thrive. Her passion for this field is deeply personal, as she herself navigated the educational system as a twice-exceptional (2e) student, experiencing firsthand the challenges and misunderstandings that often accompany neurodivergent experiences. This early insight fueled her dedication to transforming educational practices to be more affirming and supportive. In addition to her clinical work, Emily is the host of the popular Neurodiversity Podcast, where she explores a wide range of topics related to neurodivergence, often interviewing leading experts, educators, and individuals with lived experience.

Things you'll learn

• Why neurodiversity-affirming practices in schools benefit all students, not just those with IEPs
• Why recognizing and supporting diverse learning styles is essential for effective teaching and how it’s possible to do so in traditional classrooms
• Why fear of stigma and change remains a major barrier in education, and what we can do about it
• What schools and educators can do to create inclusive, neurodiversity-affirming classrooms
• What Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is and why it’s a critical framework neurodivergent learners

Resources mentioned

• Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted & Supported by Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin
• The Neurodiversity-Affirming Teachers’ Compact of Shared Beliefs (PDF)
• Neurodiversity University Education Hub

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