Designing Lessons for Neurodiverse Learners
Why This Learning Experience?
This instructor-guided professional learning experience is designed to help educators learn on their schedule while still receiving meaningful support. Participants complete practical activities, connect ideas to real classroom practice, and build confidence through application-focused learning.
Learning Experience Overview
Neurodiverse learners—including students with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, executive functioning challenges, sensory sensitivities, and other learning differences—are present in every classroom. This course helps educators move beyond accommodations and toward proactive lesson design that supports diverse cognitive profiles from the beginning.
Participants learn how to create learning experiences that reduce cognitive overload, increase predictability, support attention and self-regulation, and provide flexible pathways for participation and expression. Rather than focusing on diagnosis or behavior management, the course emphasizes practical lesson design strategies grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), cognitive science, and inclusive instructional practices.
Through video lessons, classroom applications, downloadable resources, and reflection activities, educators develop the skills needed to design learning environments that benefit all students while intentionally supporting neurodiverse learners.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain neurodiversity using a strengths-based framework.
- Identify common cognitive, sensory, and executive functioning barriers in lesson design.
- Apply executive functioning supports within daily instruction.
- Design lessons that reduce cognitive overload and improve accessibility.
- Create flexible participation and expression options for diverse learners.
- Develop lesson plans that proactively support neurodiverse students while maintaining academic rigor.
Who Should Participate?
- Teachers working in inclusive classrooms
- Special education and general educators
- Instructional coaches supporting inclusive practices
