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Dismantling barriers for neurodivergent learners
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20% of the world’s population has at least one neurodivergent condition. That means 1 in every 5 students' brains processes information differently from their peers.
A sense of belonging improves outcomes for learners, and all students benefit from learning with their peers. However, there's limited person-centered research focused on reducing barriers and building environments where all neurodivergent learners can thrive.
SMART is committed to delivering helping educators and students achieve outcomes for students around the world and is invested in understanding how we can better serve all neurotypes in the classroom. We partnered with the University of Melbourne to explore how digital technologies can best be utilized within primary and secondary school classrooms to create conditions for inclusive engagement, representation, and action and expressions for neurodivergent students. The result of this study is 36 high impact recommendations on the effective use of digital technologies to remove barriers for neurodivergent students.
Examining existing research showed that most of the approaches to managing neurodivergent students in the classroom were behavior-based and neurodivergent learners are rarely asked for their feedback on the tech-based interventions they are receiving. In direct response to this, we conducted an exploratory case study in 6 Australian schools that looks at learning differences through a strength-based lens and incorporates student feedback from both neurodivergent students and their neurotypical peers.
Explicit, UDL-focused teaching: Ensures content is clearly presented and understood.
Supporting executive functioning: Digital tools help activate prior knowledge and enhance students’ ability to organize, plan, and recall information.
Routines and participation opportunities: Safe, predictable routines create collaborative and engaging learning spaces.
Providing digital and physical tools: Offers students agency to choose the right tool to meet their needs, which may vary daily.
Addressing technology barriers: Understanding and resolving common challenges, such as power supply issues and troubleshooting, ensures technology doesn’t become a barrier for learners.
Ready to enhance inclusive teaching and learning?
Discover the impact of evidence-based strategies to support learning and engagement for neurodivergent learners in your classrooms. Download the full research report and get insight and support for implementing strategies that foster inclusive learning today.
