Working with Neurodivergent Learners

Working with Neurodivergent Students in Higher Education

Join us for this comprehensive two-part workshop designed to deepen your understanding of neurodiversity and enhance your practice in supporting neurodivergent students. Note: The workshop is open to faculty and staff from any accredited Maryland institution of higher education. Registrants must use their institutional email address to register for this workshop.

Facilitated by Dr. Sarah Silverman

Workshop Part 1: Working with neurodivergent students in higher education: history, theory, and first-person perspectives

Tuesday, November 10, 2026 | 12:00–2:00 PM ET

This foundational session introduces the history, politics, and key concepts of neurodiversity and their relevance to higher education. You'll explore the origins of neurodiversity in the Autistic advocacy movement, engage with first-person perspectives from neurodivergent students and staff, and reflect on how these insights can transform your classroom practice. The workshop includes suggested resources for further study of neurodiversity concepts and specific experiences (including Autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities) alongside first-person narratives and classroom case studies.

Workshop Part 2: Applying your knowledge of neurodiversity in teaching, learning, and advising

Thursday, November 12, 2026 | 12:00–2:00 PM ET

Building on Workshop 1, this applied session examines the laws and policies governing disability inclusion in higher education and their connection to neurodiversity. Through complex case studies, you'll practice navigating real-world scenarios involving both disclosed and undisclosed disabilities, as well as situations involving neurodivergent instructors and students. The workshop concludes with opportunities to reflect on your own relationship to neurodiversity and set goals for greater inclusion in your practice.

Location

Zoom

Date

Tuesday, November 10, 2026 | 12:00–2:00 PM ET and Thursday, November 12, 2026 | 12:00-2:00 PM ET

Dr. Sarah Silverman

Independent Faculty Developer and Instructor of Disability Studies

Dr. Sarah Silverman is an independent faculty developer and instructor of Disability Studies. Her interests include accessible and feminist pedagogy, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and the intersection of disability and educational technology. Her writings appear in To Improve the Academy, the blog Feminist Pedagogy for Teaching Online, New Directions for Teaching and Learning, and on her newsletter Beyond the Scope. Her 2026 book, Classroom Mindscapes: An Introduction to Neurodiversity for Educators, is published by the University of Oklahoma Press.

Register

This two-part workshop is open to faculty and staff from any accredited Maryland institution of higher education. Registrants must use their institutional email address to register.
Registration Opens on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 using the MS Form:
Live participation is limited to 100 participants. Anyone who registers after the workshop fills will be notified and added to a mailing list to receive the recording and workshop materials. If you cannot attend live, please register and select the “mailing list” option to receive the recording and materials. Please register to attend live only if you can attend both sessions in their entirety
Recordings and shared materials will be available for those who cannot attend live

For questions, please contact cai@usmd.edu.

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