Our society is facing enormous challenges—climate change and global pandemics—big problems that beg for innovative solutions. We need problem solvers who are creative and systematic, who pay close attention to details, and who remain persistent until a problem is solved. We have these talented thinkers among us, but all too often they are marginalized by an education system that treats them as if they are broken. Schools tend to focus on fixing neurodivergent learners rather than revealing their unique brilliance and great potential.

Reaching and Teaching Neurodivergent Learners in STEM considers how neurodiversity—the different ways people learn and think—may present an exciting opportunity to build an innovative workforce ready to tackle these challenges we face. The rates of autism, ADHD, and other forms of neurodiversity are on the rise, doubling in some cases over the last ten years. Rather than considering this trend a burden, Reaching and Teaching Neurodivergent Learners in STEM argues that neurodivergent learners may actually provide the innovative talent we need in the workforce, especially in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Drawing from thirty years of collaboration with teachers, learners, designers, and innovators; the author integrates a rich set of personal and professional stories about neurodivergent learning to illustrate theories from research from psychology, education, and neuroscience. Reaching and Teaching Neurodivergent Learners in STEM provides a rigorous, well-rounded perspective for educators and other interested readers, while offering practical strategies to support inclusive K-12 education to foster a thriving new generation of innovative STEM problem solvers.

“Imagine a world where the unique STEM-related talents of neurodivergent individuals are cultivated to grow a dynamic, innovative workforce. In her groundbreaking work, Jodi Asbell-Clarke presents an empowering roadmap for educators to embrace and nurture these talents, instead of perpetuating shame and pity”.

—Professor Sara Seager, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

“Neurodivergent Learners in STEM” is an empowering guide for educators to create inclusive learning environments, expertly navigating the intersection of STEM education and neurodiversity and providing practical strategies to unlock the potential of neurodivergent learners.”

—Matthew Farber, author of Gaming SEL: Games as Transformational to Social and Emotional Learning 

“Reaching and Teaching Neurodivergent Learners in STEM is an important book for all educators.  It encourages us to look at all students as having huge potential.  Don’t leave behind students who think differently.  They may be the leaders of their generation.”

—Nadine Bonda, PhD, former Superintendent