243: Small Changes to Make Your Classroom More Neurodiversity-Affirming
Feb 3, 2025
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Join neurodiversity activists Amanda Morin and Emily Kircher-Morris as they delve into the transformative strategies for neurodiversity-affirming classrooms. They highlight the importance of recognizing individual differences and adapting teaching methods. Key points include rethinking the necessity of eye contact, redefining traditional assessment practices, and embracing diverse communication styles. Their insights encourage educators to create inclusive environments that empower neurodivergent students, promoting understanding and acceptance in educational settings.
Recognizing neurodiversity allows for a more nuanced understanding of different brain functions, promoting inclusivity in classroom settings.
Implementing flexible teaching methods like hands-on activities and multimodal instruction helps accommodate diverse learning styles and sensory needs.
Revisiting assessment practices to focus on authentic demonstrations of knowledge enables fair evaluations for neurodivergent students and fosters meaningful feedback.
Deep dives
Understanding Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in human brain function, encompassing individuals on the autism spectrum, those with learning disabilities, and those with attention differences such as ADD and ADHD. This perspective emphasizes that everyone exists on a spectrum of neurodivergence rather than being classified as 'normal' or 'special.' Recognizing this continuum allows for a more inclusive understanding where all brain types are acknowledged and accommodated within educational environments. As our comprehension of neurodiversity grows, it highlights the importance of reshaping classrooms to embrace this diversity rather than treating neurodivergent students only as special cases.
Creating Neurodiversity Affirming Classrooms
Building classrooms that affirm neurodiversity involves implementing flexible practices that cater to varied learning styles and needs. Teachers can facilitate successful learning experiences by embracing a range of instructional methods, such as hands-on activities and multimodal teaching techniques that accommodate sensory differences. An important aspect of this approach is to foster environments where neurodivergent students feel recognized and valued, which ultimately benefits all students in the learning space. By designing learning experiences that allow for individual expression and varied pathways to understanding, a neurodiversity affirming classroom promotes inclusivity and community engagement.
Shifting Assessment Practices
Revisiting assessment practices is crucial for accurately evaluating students' understanding and skills without reinforcing barriers. Traditional methods, like timed tests, often measure processing speed instead of conceptual understanding and can disproportionately disadvantage neurodivergent learners. Instead, assessments should focus on authentic demonstrations of knowledge and skills, such as allowing students to complete tasks in their preferred modalities, like written, verbal, or even technology-assisted formats. By emphasizing the goal of assessments and providing accommodations like extended time or varied testing environments, educators can ensure fair evaluations and meaningful feedback.
Explicit Communication and Instructions
Being explicit about lessons, goals, and instructions is vital in neurodiversity affirming education. Many students, particularly those who are neurodivergent, benefit from clarity in what is expected of them, making it essential for educators to articulate objectives clearly and provide concrete examples. Furthermore, allowing space for students to ask clarifying questions fosters deeper understanding and engagement. By integrating explicit instructions and checklists into everyday teaching practices, educators create a more supportive environment that enhances learning for all students.
Contextualizing Behavior Responses
Understanding that all behavior communicates underlying needs or challenges is a key principle in neurodiversity affirming education. By applying a context-based interpretation of behavior, teachers can respond thoughtfully rather than focusing on compliance and adherence to rules. For example, supporting students who struggle with social cues during group activities requires a shift in perspective, emphasizing understanding over punishment. By prioritizing connection and exploring the reasons behind behaviors, educators can cultivate trust and create a learning environment where all students feel adequately supported.
As our understanding of the human mind gets more sophisticated and nuanced, we're learning how to identify neurodivergence, how to appreciate it, and how to help those who fit under that umbrella navigate the world better. In this episode I'm joined by Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin, authors of the new book Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools. The book offers all kinds of specific guidance that will help teachers reshape their classrooms into places that offer flexible options for students with a wide range of "wiring." In today's episode, they'll share four actionable changes you can make right now to begin that reshaping.
