Essential Strategies for Neurodivergent-Friendly Learning Design
Learning is my top strength. I love it and constantly overuse it.
In today’s organisations, the focus often lies on maximising return on investment, which can lead to the creation of learning programs that fail to stick, especially for neurodivergent individuals.
Recently, I had an enlightening conversation with Veronica Reilly from Digital Learning Partners. We discussed the challenges we’ve both encountered in various learning environments. While adult learning principles provide a good foundation, designing for neurodiverse individuals requires a broader approach and innovative strategies.
Additionally, if you are creating content that you want your employees to remember, use more of a visual approach. The working memory loves visual imagery.
During my discussion with Veronica, she highlighted several learning design principles that are particularly effective for people with ADHD:
- Multi-sensory Approach: Engaging different senses through visual aids, hands-on activities, and auditory cues can help keep neurodivergent learners engaged and focused.
- Chunking: Breaking down information into smaller, manageable chunks helps in processing and retaining information. This can be achieved through bullet points, outlines, or dividing larger tasks into smaller steps.
- Clear and Concise Language: Using straightforward language aids in better understanding and reduces cognitive overload by avoiding complex or overly technical terms.
- Active Learning: Incorporating problem-solving activities or interactive discussions can maintain engagement and enhance critical thinking skills.
- Flexibility: Providing a flexible learning environment that allows for movement, breaks, and varied activities can improve attention and focus.
- Positive Feedback: Offering positive feedback and acknowledging progress helps maintain motivation and builds confidence, encouraging continued learning.
By integrating these principles into learning design, educators and trainers can create supportive and effective environments for neurodivergent employees.
