<aside> <img src="/icons/drafts_gray.svg" alt="/icons/drafts_gray.svg" width="40px" /> This page gives an overview of resources and strategies to support neurodiverse learners, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in educational settings.
</aside>
Joshua Korenblat
Associate Professor, Graphic Design
SUNY New Paltz
When we talk about innovation, we're really talking about making things better and different, not just new and flashy. Technology can be good or bad depending on whether it is beneficial— if it helps or harms our capabilities to care for others.
For educators, using AI models can be helpful, especially for students who learn differently or speak English as a second language.
It's important to use clear language, which benefits everyone. Providing examples before and after using AI can help students learn better.
But it's also vital to remember that AI isn't perfect, and in fact its programmatic secrets and biases are hidden from us, so educators need to check its work and not rely on it completely.
Neurodiverse students face challenges in schools that may not be designed to their needs. These challenges include difficulties in social communication for building relationships, struggles with abstract and figurative language, and adjusting to the wide variety of subjects and expectations offered in college.
My interest in this area sparked from working with a student with ASD who found different ways to help with long-form reading, including making comics.
One essential framework discussed here is ‘Easy Read’ information. This type of content is designed at a 3rd to 5th grade level and is presented simply with literal images as visual support. Easy Read makes information more accessible for those with learning disabilities or autism.
This page offers resources and advice on creating Easy Read materials and also emphasizes Plain Language, a 6th grade text level, which uses clear language and ensures that writing is easy to understand the first time it’s read, with references to useful tools and sources.
Finally, this page introduces MagicSchool AI, an AI platform that provides a range of tools to assist neurodiverse students. These include text leveling, suggestions for accommodations, lesson plans for social and emotional learning, and social stories.
By designing for these students, everyone benefits.
<aside> <img src="/icons/downward_gray.svg" alt="/icons/downward_gray.svg" width="40px" /> These resources to support neurodiversity in the classroom were created by Brianna Morano (BFA, Graphic 2023), guided by Emi DiSciullo (DRC), in consultation with Joshua Korenblat (Graphic Design)
</aside>