learning for autistic and neurodivergent children art

EPISODE 54
Universal Design for Learning for Autistic and Neurodivergent Children: A Conversation with Emily Rubin and Dr. Lindee Morgan

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Show Notes

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an invaluable framework that has great relevance in addressing the varied needs of autistic and neurodivergent learners, and supporting active engagement in learning environments. We discuss the basic concept of UDL with Emily Rubin and Lindee Morgan, experts on UDL, and its great value for developing individualized programs and for addressing social emotional as well as pre-academic and academic goals for children who may think and learn differently. We also discuss how UDL has great implications for supporting educators, therapists and families.

SCERTS Website

SEE-KS Website

Communication Crossroads – Emily Rubin Website 

Featuring

Emily Rubin learning ffor Autistic and Neurodivergent Children

EMILY RUBIN

Emily Rubin is a speech-language pathologist and is the Director of Communication Crossroads, Inc. in Atlanta, GA, a private practice specialized in providing professional learning focused on helping families, caregivers, and educators create positive learning environments that appreciate the neurodiversity of children. She is passionate about the relationship between social emotional engagement and the development of language, learning and well-being. Emily is a co-author of the SCERTS Model and a co-developer of the Social Emotional Engagement – Knowledge and Skills (SEE-KS) approach, which provides tools for measuring learner engagement, and enhancing engagement in everyday settings and academic instruction

Lindee Morgan learning ffor Autistic and Neurodivergent Children

LINDEE MORGAN

Dr. Lindee Morgan is an Associate Professor in Pediatrics at Emory University and is Co-Director of the Education Sciences Research Core at Marcus Autism Center. In addition, she serves as the Co-Director of the Preschool Program at Marcus Autism Center and is a licensed speech-language pathologist. Dr. Morgan’s primary clinical/scholarly focus is intervention, largely classroom-based, for autistic individuals. Her research focuses on investigating treatments to improve active engagement, social communication, and other relevant outcomes across the lifespan. Her work was selected by Autism Speaks as one of the ‘Top Ten Autism Studies of 2018’.

…and Continue the Discussion

Do you have a book or podcast club? If so, you may use this discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about this episode.

1. Based upon the discussion in this episode, how would you define universal design for learning in your own words, and why does it have great potential as an essential framework for autistic and neurodivergent learners, especially in inclusive learning environments?

2. What would you expect to see in a classroom based on UDL principles and practices that may be different from what you would see in traditional programs for autistic and neurodivergent learners? If you have had such experiences, please give specific examples.

3. Emily and Lindee discuss the “3 I’s”, Investment, Independence and Initiation, for prioritizing goals and for measuring progress in a UDL framework. Describe what the “3 I’s” mean to you and strategies you use or have observed to address these critical goals.

4. Emily and Lindee also discuss how a UDL framework may be applied in supporting educators, therapists and parents. Discuss 2-3 take-aways of how it may be applied, and identify how this discussion may enhance your practice if you are a service provider, or how you may advocate for yourself if you are a parent or a neurodivergent person.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Music

Matt Savage, courtesy of Savage Records

Matt Savage is an autistic jazz musician, composer, and bandleader. Matt has collaborated with jazz greats like Chick Corea, the Ellington All Stars, Chaka Khan, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Jason Moran, Arturo O’Farrill, John Pizzarelli, Joshua Redman, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi. Donny McCaslin, and more. He has recorded more than a dozen records and graciously contributes the music for Uniquely Human.

Production and Sound Design

ELEVATEDSTUDIO

Uniquely Human: The Podcast is produced, engineered, and edited by Elevated Studio in Denver, Colorado. Owned and operated by co-host Dave Finch, Elevated Studio produces digital media assets and content strategies for the electronics, entertainment, and lifestyle industries.