About Us

Neuroscience for Neurodiverse Learners (NNL) is an NSF-funded Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) project led by the University of Washington’s Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO-IT) Center and Center for Neurotechnology (CNT). NNL provides hands-on experiences in neuroscience disciplines, networking opportunities, and resources to high school and early postsecondary students identified as “neurodiverse” learners—those with academic challenges related to conditions such as dyspraxia, dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyscalculia, autism spectrum disorder, and Tourette syndrome—and disseminates findings to teachers of courses that are related to neuroscience and, more broadly, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The goal of NNL is to enhance student interest in and skills to successfully pursue STEM fields, as well as empower educators to serve these students more effectively.

DO-IT has decades of experience in developing hands-on programs for youth with disabilities and designing welcoming, accessible, and usable courses, research, websites, videos, and electronic documents, while the CNT boasts world-class research and a highly-rated, innovative neuroscience education program. Grounded in theory and research, the project takes a student-centered approach that embraces cutting-edge neuroscience, the social model of disability, social justice education, disability as a diversity issue, universal design, and a multi-faceted view of student engagement and retention.