You’re invited to join the Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education, a CTLA partner, for another virtual lunch and learn, entitled “Neurodiverse Faculty and Students: Creating an Empathetic Learning Environment." The session will be presented by Dr. Daniel Bell and Dr. Kelly Renner from Franklin University.

Ohio schools at all levels include individuals with hidden disabilities. An invisible disability is “a physical, mental or neurological condition that is not visible from the outside, yet can limit or challenge a person’s movements, senses, or activities.” (Invisible Disabilities Association, 2023).

Due to false perceptions and negative stereotypes because they “look normal,” these neurodiverse individuals often are identified as problematic underachievers. Left misidentified, individuals with hidden disabilities face a lifetime of low expectations and poor grades, and later are overlooked for promotions. Research shows that an understanding of the challenges neurodiverse people face, plus a nurturing and caring environment, can create positive outcomes (Austin & Pisano, 2017).

Our webinar will discuss this situation from two different perspectives. Dr. Bell will share experiences and the impact of life in academia from primary school to a professor’s perspective with a hidden disability. Additionally, Dr. Renner will provide insights from a clinical perspective, including the benefits of creating a caring, nurturing environment with positive outcomes for students and educators.

From this webinar, attendees will be able to:

• Identify individuals with hidden disabilities and better understand their academic challenges.
• Provide educators with methods to create caring, nurturing environments for students with hidden disabilities to succeed in their learning environments academically.
• Promote an inclusive learning environment where all individuals are considered valuable participants.

Registration for this event closes on Sunday, Sept. 10. Click here to register now.