Honoring, Constructing, and Supporting Neurodiverse Communicators in Inclusive Classrooms

• In Event: 15.060 - MTCC Roundtable Session One
  In Roundtable Session: 15.060-12 - It’s More Than Just a Placement: Thinking Beyond Least Restrictive Environment and Inclusion

Abstract

In this paper, we describe facilitating engagement in inclusive classrooms for neurodiverse communicators, particularly students that do not rely on verbal speech. We aim to decenter speech as the normative, unchallenged mode of communication, and honor the intersecting embodied experiences that impact communication. We draw from experiences as researchers, educators, colleagues, and friends who live and work alongside non/unreliably speaking people who type to communicate. We also highlight work of autistic self-advocates and scholars. We lay out foundational concepts underlying experiences of neurodiverse communicators, followed by illustrative examples and action steps. While the paper is geared toward educators working to sustain more inclusive spaces, it continues a conversation within the DSE community around inclusivity in research and in practice.

Authors

• Christine Elaine Ashby, Syracuse University

• Casey Woodfield, Rowan University