ERIC Number: EJ1456716
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Feb
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0033-3085
EISSN: EISSN-1520-6807
Available Date: N/A
Faculty Training in Neurodiversity: Stakeholder Feedback on Social Validity and Perceived Effectiveness
Yasamin Bolourian; Sasha M. Zeedyk; Haley Brown
Psychology in the Schools, v62 n2 p535-549 2025
Neurodivergent students, including autistic students, often benefit from faculty support to navigate college challenges. To better equip faculty in their interactions with neurodivergent students and enhance their understanding, NeuroPREP, a faculty training program was developed. Comprising four 20-min modules, NeuroPREP addresses key topics including neurodiversity, understanding neurodivergent needs and strengths, effective support strategies (e.g., universal design), and illustrative case studies. An Advisory Committee (N = 10), including faculty, autistic students, and disability support staff, assessed the social validity and perceived effectiveness of NeuroPREP through written forms and virtual sessions. On forms, Committee participants uniformly expressed positive ratings regarding the program's quality (i.e., language, content, impact, and format). Through individual interviews or focus group sessions, the Advisory Committee offered valuable feedback, suggesting improvements such as clarifying definitions, addressing misconceptions and stigmatizing language, and incorporating additional case scenarios. These recommendations informed the refinement of NeuroPREP in preparation for a pilot program. Higher education initiatives informed by stakeholders' perspectives, like NeuroPREP, are vital for equipping faculty with the tools to foster inclusive educational environments and equitable educational experiences for neurodivergent students. Implications for practice will be discussed.
Descriptors: Higher Education, Faculty Development, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Students with Disabilities, Stakeholders, Program Effectiveness, Program Evaluation, College Students, Student Attitudes, Teacher Attitudes
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www-wiley-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A