Understanding and Confronting Ableism

In this episode of Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools, Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin take on a challenging yet vital topic: dismantling ableism in education. They explore how ableism is often unintentionally built into school systems and classroom practices and discuss the importance of reflecting on our biases to create more inclusive and supportive learning environments for neurodivergent students.

Emily and Amanda are joined by Tim Villegas, Director of Communications for the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education and founder of Think Inclusive. Tim shares his insights from years of experience in special education and his personal journey toward recognizing and addressing ableism in educational settings.

Key topics include:

• Understanding ableism in schools and how it impacts neurodivergent students.

• The difference between the medical model and the social model of disability.

• How internalized ableism affects students' self-perception and willingness to use accommodations.

• The importance of listening to disabled individuals and presuming competence in all learners.

• Practical ways educators can reflect on their practices and create more neurodiversity-affirming environments.

• The role of language in either reinforcing or dismantling ableism.

Resources mentioned:

• Think Inclusive Podcast by Tim Villegas

• Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education

• Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supported - Order here

• Neurodiversity University Educator Hub: Join the Community