 |
| Image designed by author. Please click here to view on Flickr. |
If you're looking for a new disability-related word to learn, this is your post. Please read more.
Prologue
Do you want to learn about neurodiversity? You've come to the right place. The post will introduce you to the concept of neurodiversity. You will also find out what nerves are. We will also cover the subject of special education for students who are neurodivergent.
Notes:
- Please read the "Disclaimer" section.
- No artificial intelligence was used in the making of this post.
Introduction to Neurodiversity
Welcome to the opening section of this neurodiversity-related blog post. It begins with a lecture on what neurodiversity is, followed by brief lessons on medical vocabulary and anatomy/physiology of nerves. Finally, the section concludes with an introduction to a word used for people without neurodivergent conditions.
The Basics
The author's October 2023 post on developmental disability includes a short overview of neurodiversity. It also includes Cleveland Clinic's definition of "[n]eurodivergent," which is "a nonmedical term that describes people whose brains develop or work differently for some reason." Cleveland Clinic adds that the word "[n]eurodivergent" is an alternate adjective for whether or not a person is standard. Of course, "no two brains function just alike[,]" in the words of psychologist Dr. Bruce Wilson. Thomas Armstrong tells the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) that "neurodiversity can be defined as an understanding that neurological differences are to be honored and respected just like any other human variation." An article from Verywell Mind writes that neurodivergence has ceased to be classified as "a problem or abnormal" due to better scientific perception. As such, Verywell Mind adds that the medical classification of "neurodivergence" as a disease is discontinued. In 2023, TIME Magazine published an article with a listing of vocabulary that should not be used in the workplace. This helps eliminate what S. Mitra Kalita, a journalist who helped establish URL Media, calls "the language of ableism." The concept of ableism is explained in my 2023 post on disability awareness and inclusion. The next paragraph will deal with the function of people with neurodivergent conditions.
As mentioned above, this paragraph pertains to how people with neurodivergent conditions operate. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the "differences" in function among neurodivergent people might be classified as beneficial rather than "deficits." Kaytee Gillis, who is a psychotherapist, mentions that people with neurodivergent conditions do not easily cope with outside fixtures. In one of Lisa Jo Rudy's Verywell Health articles, there are five related words with different definitions. She also enumerates four types of "developmental disorders" that comprise "[t]he neurodiverse population." According to Medical News Today, people with developmental disabilities occasionally classify themselves "as neurodivergent." Finally, Psych Central mentions that any neurodivergent condition is not able to be "self-diagnose[d.]" That means a mental health practitioner must identify it.
The next subsection (see below) will furnish a brief medical terminology lecture on nerves.
Medical Terminology: Nerves
As mentioned previously, Medical Terminology 101 is the subject of this paragraph. As mentioned in the previous subsection, the word "neurodivergent" does not exist in medical jargon. The aforementioned October 2023 post also mentions the concept of neuro-. Both For Dummies and the Indeed Career Guide mention that, in medical jargon, “neuro” is a root word for anything that involves nerves. In the next subsection (see below), the reader will briefly find out what a nerve does.
Anatomy & Physiology of Nerves
As you might have guessed, nerves have many functions. An article from Verywell Health enumerates a person's 11 internal systems, and their duties are intricate. According to Rod Brouhard, "[t]he nervous system" is responsible for "handl[ing] communication in the body." Cleveland Clinic writes that "nerves" are present in a person's "entire body." Nerves communicate information from the brain to other areas of your body. For example, a muscle would be immobile without this type of transmission. Of course, a nerve is also responsible for what Cleveland Clinic calls "autonomic functions." Cleveland Clinic adds that "neurons" are a synonym for "[n]erve cells[.]" Brouhard also mentions the "four types of nerve cells" and the "two parts" comprising a nerve.
Now that you've been given a quick medical vocabulary lesson, the next subsection (see below) covers a word used to describe people who are not neurodivergent.
Vocabulary Lesson: Neurotypical
On the flip side, there is a term for individuals who develop and function normally. In the words of a Healthline article, "[n]eurotypical" is the designation "used to describe individuals with typical neurological development or functioning." Rudy provides a list of eleven behaviors that neurotypical people often demonstrate. Furthermore, these individuals fit in easier with public situations than their neurodivergent counterparts. Rudy also outlines that while the word "neurotypical" is considered an "adjective," "neurodivergent" is both an "adjective" and a "noun."
Now that you're familiar with the basics of neurodiversity, the next section covers special education for children who are neurodivergent.
Neurodiversity in the Classroom
According to ADDitude Magazine, a student who is neurodivergent does not usually thrive with "the one-size-fits-all methods of instruction." This principle is known as "Universal Design for Learning (UDL)." Amanda Morin writes that UDL is a tool "that gives all students equal opportunity to succeed." In a YouTube video from Novak Educational Consulting, Dr. Katie Novak mentions that UDL is not a newfangled name "for differentiated instruction." She also mentions that these are not similar concepts. In a separate YouTube video, Dr. Novak explains what UDL's strong points are. She also talks about the reasoning for UDL's adoption in yet another YouTube video. Furthermore, Dr. Novak wrote a blog post on how to guide the adoption of UDL. Ezra Werb's article for ADDitude enumerates five tactics for "effective[ly]" putting UDL into practice. According to CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology), UDL is meant "to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn." There are three guiding principles for UDL, all of which involve supplying several ways to accomplish every component.
As the author explains in a previous post, there is no uniform approach to special education. According to Simmi Goomer, an educator is not often "trained to understand the neurodevelopmental variability that’s in their classrooms." Armstrong adds that "[a] neurodiversity-based approach to special education" is not the same as its incumbent version. He includes a table that outlines those styles. For example, Armstrong mentions that "[d]iversity" forms the nucleus of what he calls the "Elements of Strengths-Based Special Education[.]" The blog post mentioned at the start of this paragraph also outlines the concept of an Individual Education Program (IEP). A student with neurodivergent condition(s) will likely have an IEP. But, as I write in a June 2022 post to this blog, the IEP will not follow the student upon enrolling in college or university.
Epilogue
Over the course of this post, you found out what neurodiversity is. You were also familiarized with the concept of nerves. You were also introduced to a concept of instruction for educators.
Resources
Disclaimer
The author and GAM Productions are presenting the information herein solely for informational purposes. This blog post does not serve as a substitute for consultation, advice, and/or treatment that involve a qualified healthcare professional. None of aforementioned parties shall not be held responsible for any injury or injuries that may affect the reader of this post. Neither GAM Productions or the owner thereof is considered a healthcare professional or provider.
Furthermore, GAM Productions is not a law firm. The organization's owner does not work in the legal profession. This blog post is not legal advice, so you need a licensed practitioner of law for this purpose.
GAM Productions is a fictional organization.
Bibliography
"About Universal Design for Learning." CAST, CAST, Inc.,
www.cast.org/impact/universal-design-for-learning-udl. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Armstrong, Thomas. "Neurodiversity: The Future of Special Education?". ASCD,
01 Apr. 2017, www.ascd.org/el/articles/neurodiversity-the-future-of-special-education.
Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Broder-Fingert, Sarabeth, and Danielle Abate. "Embracing Neurodiversity in Our Health Systems."
American Academy of Pediatrics, 11 Apr. 2022,
www.aap.org/en/news-room/aap-voices/embracing-neurodiversity-in-our-health-systems/.
Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Brouhard, Rod, Michael Menna, and Nick Blackmer. "Understanding the 11 Body Organ Systems."
Verywell Health, Dotdash Meredith, 04 Jan. 2024,
www.verywellhealth.com/organ-system-1298691.
Accessed 07 May 2024.
Brouhard, Rod, and Nicholas R. Metrus. "What You Need to Know About the Nervous System."
Verywell Health, Dotdash Meredith, 15 Aug. 2023,
www.verywellhealth.com/nervous-system-1298170.
Accessed 29 May 2024.
Gillis, Kaytee. "Developing Self-Acceptance of Neurodiversity." Psychology Today,
Sussex Publishers, LLC, 29 Mar. 2024,
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/invisible-bruises/202210/developing-self-acceptance-of-neurodiversity.
Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
Henderson, Beverly, and Jennifer L. Dorsey. "Medical Terminology: Nervous Root Words
and Related Terms." For Dummies, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 03 Mar. 2016,
www.dummies.com/article/body-mind-spirit/medical/terminology/medical-terminology-nervous-root-words-and-related-terms-145521/.
Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Indeed Editorial Team. "Medical Terminology: 71 Terms Medical Terms To Learn."
Indeed, 10 Mar. 2023,
www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/medical-terminology.
Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Lawrenz, Lori, and Leslie Hinson. "Neurodivergent Test." Psych Central, Healthline Media,
30 Oct. 2023, psychcentral.com/quizzes/neurodivergent-test. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Lener, Marc S., and Zawn Villines. "What does neurotypical, neurodivergent, and neurodiverse mean?".
Medical News Today, Healthline Media, 04 Feb. 2022,
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-does-neurotypical-mean.
Accessed 22 Apr. 2024.
Mitra Kalita, S. "What Workplaces Misunderstand About Neurodiversity." Time,
TIME USA, LLC, 29 Aug. 2023,
time.com/charter/6309300/what-workplaces-misunderstand-about-neurodiversity/.
Accessed 29 May 2024.
Morin, Amanda. "What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?". Understood,
Understood for All, Inc., no date,
www.understood.org/en/articles/universal-design-for-learning-what-it-is-and-how-it-works.
Accessed 10 Apr. 2024.
Morton, Greg. "Disability Awareness & Inclusion 101."
The Common Misconceptions of Disability, Blogger, 24 Oct. 2023,
disabilitymorton.blogspot.com/2023/10/disability-awareness-inclusion-101.html.
Accessed 29 May 2024.
---. "How to Thrive in College with Disability."
The Common Misconceptions of Disability, Blogger, 17 June 2023,
disabilitymorton.blogspot.com/2022/06/how-to-thrive-in-college-with-disability.html.
Accessed 14 May 2024.
---. “The Ultimate Guide to Developmental Disability.”
The Common Misconceptions of Disability, Blogger, 23 Oct. 2023,
disabilitymorton.blogspot.com/2023/10/guide-to-developmental-disability.html.
Accessed 25 Mar. 2024.
---. "The Ultimate Guide to Special Education & Learning Disabilities.”
The Common Misconceptions of Disability, Blogger, 14 Mar. 2023,
disabilitymorton.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-ultimate-guide-to-special-education.html.
Accessed 13 May 2024.
"Nerves." Cleveland Clinic, 2024, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22584-nerves.
Accessed 07 May 2024.
"Neurodivergent." Cleveland Clinic, 2024,
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23154-neurodivergent. Accessed 26 Mar. 2024.
Novak, Katie. "Benefits of UDL - Katie Novak." YouTube, uploaded by
Novak Educational Consulting, 07 Nov. 2021,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=91_7cjmBSyw.
---. "5 Effective Coaching Strategies for UDL Implementation."
Novak Education, Novak Educational Consulting, Inc., 16 Apr. 2024,
www.novakeducation.com/blog/5-effective-coaching-strategies-for-udl-implementation.
Accessed 06 May 2024.
---. "What is UDL? Universal Design for Learning Explained (3 minutes)."
YouTube, uploaded by Novak Educational Consulting, 08 Jan. 2021,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYN-qrKIIYI.
---. "Why Implement UDL. | Katie Novak, Ed.D."
YouTube, uploaded by Novak Educational Consulting, 10 Feb. 2021,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zvoS0OpUKE.
Resnick, Ariane, and Anne-Marie T. Lockhart. "What Does It Mean to Be Neurodivergent?."
Verywell Mind, Dotdash Meredith, 02 Nov. 2023,
www.verywellmind.com/what-is-neurodivergence-and-what-does-it-mean-to-be-neurodivergent-5196627.
Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Roberts, Dannell, and Chaunie Brusie. "What Does It Mean to Be Neurotypical?". Healthline,
Healthline Media, 15 Nov. 2021, www.healthline.com/health/neurotypical.
Accessed 22 Apr. 2024.
Rudy, Lisa Jo, and Daniel Combs. "What Does 'Neurodivergent' Mean?". Verywell Health,
Dotdash Meredith, 14 Apr. 2024, www.verywellhealth.com/neurodivergent-5216749.
Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Rudy, Lisa Jo, Geralyn Dexter, and Nick Blackmer. "What Does 'Neurotypical' Mean?".
Verywell Health, Dotdash Meredith, 08 Aug. 2023,
www.verywellhealth.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-neurotypical-260047.
Accessed 23 May 2024.
The UDL Guidelines, CAST, Inc., 2024, udlguidelines.cast.org. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Tilney McDonough, Victoria. "How Educators Can Uplift All Students by Focusing on Equity
in Schools Around Neurodiversity." National Education Association, 26 Mar. 2024,
www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/how-educators-can-uplift-all-students-focusing-equity-schools-around-neurodiversity.
Accessed 13 May 2024.
Werb, Ezra. "Universal Design for Learning: 5 Strategies That Benefit Neurodiverse Students."
ADDitude Magazine, WebMD LLC, 07 Sept. 2022,
www.additudemag.com/universal-design-for-learning-strategies-adhd/.
Accessed 10 Apr. 2024.
Wilson, Bruce. "Neurodiversity: A Wellness Paradox." Psychology Today,
Sussex Publishers, LLC, 04 Nov. 2023,
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/explorations-in-positive-psychology/202311/neurodiversity-a-wellness-paradox.
Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
No comments:
Post a Comment