Blog 0: Introduction

Hi Everyone, welcome to my Senior Project! I’m so excited that you’re here! In this journey, I’m determined to explore how schools can better support neurodivergent students and create more inclusive learning environments. 

As a child with speech delay and social anxiety, I faced many challenges that are common among neurodiverse students. I was often overlooked by teachers and classmates, who assumed I didn’t have much to contribute. Looking back, I realized that my school experience, and that of many other neurodivergent students, could have been much more positive if educators had a deeper understanding of neurodiversity and knew how to truly create inclusive classrooms. 

Throughout my experiences volunteering and conducting research, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the challenges and strengths that neurodivergent students bring to the classroom. Yet, even with this background, I know there is still so much more to learn about how schools can truly support every learner. My senior project builds on that foundation by exploring how neurodiversity is defined in educational research and experienced in real classrooms, using both literature review and interviews to uncover patterns in support, teacher preparedness, and students’ sense of belonging. From these insights, I aim to develop practical strategies for educators, through a professional development workshop, to help classrooms where neurodivergent students can thrive academically and emotionally. 

Over the next few weeks, I will continue reading and analyzing research articles and books, as well as begin conducting interviews with students and parents at InFUSE. By centering neurodivergent perspectives, this project reflects my belief that education can be more empowering for the needs of all students. 

Here is the link to my internship location: https://www.infuseteam.org/team/infuse-team

See you soon!