Supporting Neurodiversity in Education – A Summary

by | Oct 21, 2021 | TILE Talk Reflection

We welcomed Dr Chiara Horlin and Dr Elliott Spaeth, co-founders of the Neurodiversity Network at Uni Glasgow, to our TILE Network External Speaker Series in October and they delivered an engaging and informative talk on Supporting Neurodiversity in Education. They shared useful tips throughout their talk and shared interesting anecdotes. In addition, we had amazing audience participation during the talk and so we decided to share the chat file too – it includes many important comments and additional resources.

All resources can be found below.

See you at the next TILE Network talk.

Presentation on Prezi
Chat file from the session
The Neurodiversity Network at the University of Glasgow
Podcast episode on "Neurodiversity in Education" with Dr Chiara Horlin (The Learning Scientists)
Lazy Jazz Cat playlist on Spotify (at the beginning of the talk we listened to this playlist)

Abstract:   

The concept of neurodiversity acknowledges that we don’t all think and learn in the same ways. In all levels of education and training, places where thinking and learning are a key focus and methods of teaching can sometimes be monolithic, it is particularly important to be aware of how we can support those who think and learn in ways that deviate from what is traditionally considered “typical”. In this talk we will introduce the concept of neurodiversity and its relevance to education settings. We will highlight the unique strengths and skills neurodivergent people possess as well as some of the challenges, stigma, and biases they may experience. We will also share some recent research into the dissonance between values and practice within the ‘attitude behaviour gap’ that can occur in educators (von Below, Spaeth & Horlin, under review). Finally, we will discuss inclusive strategies like the Universal Design for Learning and how they can support all our students, whether neurotypical or neurodivergent.

The Neurodiversity Network on Twitter: @UofGNeuroDiv

 

About the speakers:

Dr Chiara Horlin is a neurodivergent lecturer within the School of Psychology at the University of Glasgow who has previously held lectureships and postdoctoral fellowships within Universities and hospitals in Australia and Canada. Chiara’s teaching and research focus centres on the lived experience of neurodivergent adults and their support networks, with a particular emphasis on neurodiversity in higher education and the workplace. Other areas of research include the experience of neurodivergent girls, women and gender minorities, masking and camouflaging, chronic illness, and eustress and the positive mental health benefits of risk-taking.

Chiara on Twitter: @aussieweegie

Dr Elliott Spaeth is a Lecturer and Senior Adviser in Academic and Digital Development at the University of Glasgow. This primarily involves working with new lecturers to develop their teaching practice. He holds a PhD in clinical psychology and music and is passionate about combining expertise in the areas of mental health and pedagogy to promote inclusive learning and teaching environments. He is disabled, trans, and neurodivergent.

Elliott on Twitter: @ElliottSpaeth