Teaching the neurodiverse classroom

An increasing number of students at AU are diagnosed or identifying as neurodivergent or disabled. This also means a rising number of students in classrooms who are requesting individual accommodations and who engage and interact in different ways than teachers and co-students are accustomed to.

This course focuses on helping you navigate this change by providing you with insights and tools for creating an inclusive teaching and learning environment for all students.

Learning outcome

After this course, you will be able to:

• Describe existing learner diversity at AU and discuss how it challenges traditional educator roles and teaching formats at university
• Name relevant student and teacher support resources available at AU and know when to relate to which
• Identify and distinguish between different models of disability (including the neurodiversity model) and discuss how they might influence teachers' and students' thinking and behaviour in a classroom that is both neurodiverse and ability-diverse
• Know the principles of Universal Design for Learning and Instruction and take first steps in re-designing your teaching to minimize the need for individual accommodation.
• Communicate with students in a way that allows for a respectful and productive exchange about persistent needs and opportunities

Content

The course is run as a workshop with elements of casework and peer discussion, mixed with brief presentations about relevant frameworks and techniques.