Diverse Learners Top Hat Organizer

Article One: Neurodiversity: THE FUTURE OF SPECIAL Article Two: Dyslexia: What Reading
EDUCATION?  Teachers Need to Know

 neurodiversity=understanding that neurological  The disorder causes deficits, in

differences are to be honored and respected just like varying degrees of severity
any other human variation,”   which are needed for success in
 support neurodiverse students in creating positive reading
niches for themselves at school.   support an explicit, systematic,
 evolutionary advantages of particular disability cumulative, and multisensory
categories approach that integrates listening,
  disabled in certain contexts but not in others.  speaking, reading, and writing-
 emphasize either deficits or strengths. activates all parts of the brain and 
 Aims to use literacy to help emerging strengths and   teachers must be aware of
focus on talents  multisensory activities 
 THIS: Helping students value their diverse brains using   Students with dyslexia can be
growth mindset, neuroplasticity, and “brain forest” successful in learning to read and
metaphors NOT THIS: Explaining students’ disabilities write if they are given the
to them using machine-based metaphors appropriate interventions. 
 Teach students to value the diversity of thinking
 The beautiful nature that is each person
 Change the attitude towards 

Similarities :
 Both articles spent time discussing what exactly the disorder or dysfunction the article is about was as well as
spending some time dispelling common misconceptions about them. The articles also brought up many ways teachers
can better help students with diverse needs in the classroom, and how helping them will help your entire class as well.
 Overall, both articles tried to help educators help students better themselves by giving teachers new ideas and tools
to use in the classroom with diverse learners.

My Thoughts:
 After our class on Thursday, I knew I really wanted to look more into Neurodiversity and  I am so glad I did. As
someone with ADHD I have always focused on what I can do for my future students who may also struggle with similar
things I did. I underlined and emboldened a quote from the article that truly resonated with me as well as part of the
table. I know as a future educator I want to help students find that growth mindset and the ideas from this article
were very helpful from just changing “machine based metaphors” to “brain-forest metaphors” I think would have
really helped me in high school rather than just thinking my brain ran to fast or poorly compared to others.
 I wanted to compare and contrast the neurodiversity article with a similar one. I thought it was kind of funny the
complete change of form and language used in both articles. While the first one was all about how to look at
neurodiversity as just diversity not a disability, the article on Dyslexia seemed to be talking about it more as a deficit. I
think there was a strong difference in verbiage. 

Sources: 
Armstrong, T. (2017). Neurodiversity: THE FUTURE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION?  Educational Leadership, 74(7), 10–16.

Johnson, V. (2019). Dyslexia what teachers need to know. 0(0), p. 1-8. International Literacy Association.