Diverse Learners Top Hat Organizer

Article One: Literacy Education and Disability Article Two: Neurodiversity: the Future of Special
Studies: Reenvisioning Struggling Education?
Students Educates and places a focus on a neurodiversity-oriented
This article covered some aspects of special education in approach. Wants educators to utilize student strengths
relation to literacy, with some examples given that pose rather than only trying to fix weaknesses, and also
the question of whether students are intentionally advocates for looking beyond the ‘diagnostic’ roles that
disobedient or incapable of the classwork for whatever special education holds on to.
reason.

Similarities:
The main similarity is of course the common topic of special education in relation to literacy, with a set of
recommendations for teachers in the classroom. The main difference actually lies on how each article focuses on
these issues, with one mainly on literacy and how students struggle with it for a variety of reasons, and the second
more generally on neurodiversity utilizing literacy issues as an example. Therein that difference then again lies the
similarity, as both articles main goal is to educate teachers on different forms of what is essentially neurodivergency,
and how to help afflicted students in the classroom. And, aimed towards general education teachers, rather than
special education teachers.

My Thoughts: The first article does use some mildly frustrating language, saying some students might have a ‘moral
deficit’ that means they won’t do work. I understand the meaning, but that is still mildly offensive on the whole.
However both were full of information that is critical to modern education practice as a whole. Within the
neurodiversity article actually, was a general topic that I love to focus on which is person-oriented language and
education. It is far better to focus on the student and their strengths, rather than reducing them to their disability and
it’s associated issues.

Collins, K., & Ferri, B. (2016). Literacy Education and Disability Studies: Reenvisioning Struggling Students. Journal
of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 60(1), 7-12. Retrieved September 13, 2020, from
http://www.jstor.org/stable/44011343

Armstrong T. Neurodiversity: THE FUTURE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION? Educational Leadership. 2017;74(7):10-16.

Accessed September 13, 2020. https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=aph&AN=122878084&site=ehost-live&scope=site