Neurodiversity Fact Sheet

Neurodiversity Fact Sheet

Create a fact sheet that addresses a specific neurodiversity, applying research findings to support educational interventions that help to improve the learning experience for these individuals.

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Introduction

Educational systems are charged with meeting the needs of all students to ensure they thrive at school and beyond. Neurodiversity refers to differences in how students' brains learn. Neurodevelopmental disorders can influence not only learning and our cognitive process, but also memory, emotions, and more. As we continue to gain awareness of neurodiversity in the classroom, research continues on how learning may differ among students and how we might best serve these learners.

In this last assessment, you will select one example of neurodiversity to define and explain in terms of its impact on a learner. You'll consider evidence-backed educational or psychological interventions to support this learner.

Overview

For this assessment you’ll create a fact sheet that addresses a specific neurodiverse condition, and you’ll apply research findings to support educational interventions that help to improve the learning experience for these individuals.

Assessment Instructions

Use the Neurodiversity Fact Sheet [DOCX] template to create your fact sheet

You may use a different template or format if you choose. For example, you may want to create your own, or you may find one on the Internet that you prefer. Just be sure to include all of the criteria needed for the assessment.

As you create the content for your fact sheet, think about who is meant to read it. For example, your fact sheet might be available to patients and clients in a physician's or psychologist’s office. You’ll want to design everything on your fact sheet to address that audience. This means that you do not need a title page or to put your name on the fact sheet. Place the name of the neurodiverse condition you will present front and center. This also means that you’ll remove instructions to replace with headings that are relevant to your audience. Once you place the name of the neurodiverse condition at the top of the template, follow the prompts to continue completing the fact sheet.

Choose a Neurodiverse Condition

Choose one of the neurodiverse conditions from the list below to address in your fact sheet. For a deeper understanding of these various diagnoses, consider reviewing the chapter on neurodevelopmental disorders in the DSM-5-TR:

• Assessment 4: DSM-5-TR: Neurodevelopmental Disorders. (https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/epdf/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787.x01_Neurodevelopmental_Disorders)

Note that students may not always disclose a particular diagnosis or they may not have a formal diagnosis. To enhance our learning environments, learning and teaching must be inclusive and address the needs of all students.

These four are categorized as specific learning disabilities. You may choose one of these for your assessment, or you may choose from the list of other conditions below this list.

• Dyslexia: A specific learning disability that affects reading and related language-based processing skills.
• Dysgraphia: A specific learning disability that affects a person’s handwriting ability and fine motor skills.
• Dyscalculia: A specific learning disability that affects a person’s ability to understand numbers and learn math facts.
• Dyspraxia: A disorder that causes problems with movement and coordination as well as language and speech.

Some neurodiverse conditions are not learning disabilities themselves but can cause obstructions in learning. You may use one of these diagnoses listed below for this assessment. Just be sure not to label it as a learning disability, but explain how, as a neurodiverse condition, it can influence learning.

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Autism spectrum disorder.
• Executive functioning disorder.

Complete the Fact Sheet

Include the following information on your fact sheet:

• The name of the diagnosis.
• Describe the characteristics of this neurodiverse condition. This can include the symptoms and facts related to the condition, such as statistics on its prevalence. Cite professional sources for the information on the description and facts about the condition. This will be approximately two paragraphs.
• Explain the impact of neurodiversity on individuals with this particular condition. This includes how it influences educational processes, and it can include the psychological impact on the learner. You’ll need to cite professional organizations or information from scholarly articles. This will be approximately two paragraphs.
• Explain at least two educational or psychological interventions or strategies that can assist those with this neurodiversity in their learning. You’ll need to cite professional sources and scholarly research articles to support these interventions. Provide about two paragraphs of information about each of the interventions or strategies.
• Apply evidence from research findings to support the educational interventions. You’ll need scholarly research articles for this section. You’ll present research findings that support the effectiveness of the interventions or strategies. Provide about one to two paragraphs of research findings for each of the interventions or strategies.

Also be sure to:

• Check your spelling and grammar.
• Include in-text citations and full references for all of your sources.

You may use images on your fact sheet if you would like. If you use images, follow these tips:

• Make sure that images do not overwhelm the information.
• Keep images smaller and make them highly relevant to the content.
• Avoid using generic images that do not enrich the understanding for your audience.
• Be sure to provide the source for your image or use one that is specifically labelled as free to use for these purposes.

Additional Requirements

To achieve a successful experience and outcome, you are expected to meet the following standards:

• Format: Use proper spacing for readability between sections. Using short paragraphs (3–5 single-spaced sentences) for each section works best. It’s also advisable to use visual aids or graphics. Keep images small so that they do not overshadow the content but complement or expand on the content.
• Written communication: Use the accepted form and style of the psychological professions, using proper grammar and punctuation.
• Resources: Use a minimum of four credible sources to support your explanation of the neurodiverse condition, including at least two professional sources such as textbooks or information from professional organizations, and at least two scholarly research articles from professional psychology or education journals. You may cite more than four sources if needed.
• APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted according to APA style and formatting guidelines. Refer to Evidence and APA page on Campus for guidance.
• Length: Two pages (intended as the front and back of a single, 8 1/2" x 11" handout). You may use an additional page for references if needed.
• Template: Use the Neurodiversity Fact Sheet [DOCX] template for your handout.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:

• Competency 1: Apply learning and cognitive psychology theories to educational practice.
  • Summarize a neurodiverse condition.
  • Explain the learning and psychological impact of a neurodiverse condition on individuals with the diagnosis.
• Competency 3: Apply research findings to topics and problem resolution in educational practice.
  • Explain two educational or psychological interventions for a neurodiverse condition.
  • Apply evidence from scholarly research findings to support two educational or psychological interventions for a neurodiverse condition.
• Competency 5: Communicate with clear purpose, organization, evidence, tone, and sentence structure.
  • Address the assessment purpose in a well-organized text, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences.
  • Use APA style formatting for citations and reference list with only minor errors.
  • Use the resources linked below to help complete this assessment.Collapse All

    Neurodiversity

    Neurodiversity broadly refers to differences in how students' brains learn. Familiarize yourself with this term and how our understanding and descriptions of neurodevelopmental conditions have evolved across time. Resources related to neurodiversity can be found in this section of your reading list:
    • Assessment 4: Neurodiversity. (https://access.infobase.com/video/3744-understandi...)
    To learn more about various diagnoses often included within our discussions of neurodiversity, consider the chapter on neurodevelopmental disorders in the DSM-5-TR:
    • Assessment 4: DSM-5-TR: Neurodevelopmental Disorders.(https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/epdf/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787.x01_Neurodevelopmental_Disorders)

    Culture and Context

    Familiarize yourself with how culture and context influence our learning processes. We are all guided by the familial and community cultures that we have been immersed within. Exposure to other people’s immersions can help us to step outside the limits of our experiences to broaden our knowledge, understanding of the world, and our critical thinking.
    • Adult Learning: Linking Theory and Practice:
      • Chapter 12, “Culture and Context, Theory and Practice in Adult Learning.”
    Use this section of the reading list to access additional resources about cultural competence, self-awareness of cultural context, and impacting positive cultural relationships:
    • Assessment 4: Culture and Context.

    Self-Directed Learning

    Familiarize yourself with principles of self-directed learning, broadly referring to a learner (like you!) taking charge of your learning experiences.
    • Adult Learning: Linking Theory and Practice:
      • Chapter 4, “Self-Directed Learning.”
        • This chapter allows you to explore self-directed learning. Consider how the mindset and steps taken in self-directed learning can serve you in your education, especially as a distance learner.
    Additional resources can be found using this section of the reading list:
    • Assessment 4: Self-Directed Learning.

    Creating a Fact Sheet

    For guidance on how to create a fact sheet, use the resources available in this section of the reading list.
    • Assessment 4: Creating a Fact Sheet.