Exploring Neurodiversity – Mythbusting and removing barriers

Welcome to Episode 1 of the Exploring Neurodiversity podcast. Episode 1 is with Dr. Louise Karwowski, Head of Science at Cognassist and is all about Mythbusting in Neurodiversity and is all about removing barriers for learners, educators, teams and leaders. Exploring Neurodiversity is a brand new podcast four part mini-series that is co-produced by FE News and Cognassist.
Louise explores the common myths and barriers that surround Neurodiversity, firstly exploring Cognassist’s data from over 100,000 learner assessments that highlights that 1:3 learners have a Neurodiversity. With this in mind, almost every educator will have several Neurodiverse learners in their cohort or class, so we then explore some of the barriers and myths faced by Educators. Louise then shares examples of best practice and helpful advice for educators starting with working with learners with a potential undiagnosed Neurodiversity, things to spot and look out for in undiagnosed learners.
How Educators, Teams and Leaders can support Neurodiverse learners
Time is always in short supply for Educators, so Louise discusses some tips and advice for Educators to tailor delivery for Neurodiverse learners and how Teachers and Trainers can support neurodiverse learners and how to importantly evidence this support. She then moves onto Teams and how supporting Neurodiversity is everyone’s role, not just SEND specialists and ways that Leaders can support their teams.
Louise then dives into some mythbusting around Learning Styles and the notion that some people just can’t grasp certain subjects.
Supporting Learners who may be reluctant, defensive learners, learner denial or embarrassed learners
Supporting Learners with Neurodiversity is key, so Louise shares some tips on supporting individual learners pre and post-assessment. Louise explores how to support learner reluctance, particularly how to support learners who have just been told they have a Neurodiversity and may be reluctant to complete the additional work and support around the core of their qualification. She goes onto share some tips with defensive learners, learners in denial over their Neurodiversity, or embarrassed learners or disruptive learners.
Music: www.bensound.com