Virtual Workshop: Working with Neurodivergent Students in Higher Education (part 2)

Sponsored by the USM Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation, this comprehensive two-part workshop is designed to deepen your understanding of neurodiversity and enhance your practice in supporting neurodivergent students. This workshop is relevant across all disciplines and departments. 

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.  

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.  

About the Facilitator 

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.  

Registration Details 

• Registration opens Tuesday, October 6, 2026; Registration for Workshop—Fill out form 
• Live participation is limited to 100 participants across all Maryland institutions
• Please register to attend live only if you can commit to both full sessions
• Anyone who registers after capacity is reached will be added to a mailing list to receive the recording and workshop materials
• Can’t attend live? Register and select the “mailing list” option to receive the recording and materials after the workshop