Faculty Learning Circles

Definitions:

Neurodiversity: "Describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one 'right' way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits." Nicole Baumer, M.D. M.Ed & Julia Frueh, M.D., Harvard Health Blog (2021)

Neurodivergent: "If a person is not neurotypical, they are neurodivergent. People who have ADHD, autism, developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, and mental health disabilities are all neurodivergent." Haley Moss, Great Minds Think Differently (2020) (ebook available with USDOne login).

• Mari Cheney, A More Inclusive Classroom: Considerations for the Legal Research Professor Teaching Neurodivergent Students, 42 Legal Reference Services Quarterly 235 (2023).
• Jennifer Kindred Mitchell, Teaching to Neurodiverse Law Students, 29 Perspectives 49 (2022).
• Heidi E. Ramos-Zimmerman, The Need to Revisit Legal Education in an Era of Increased Diagnoses of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity and Autism Spectrum Disorders, 123 Dickinson L. Rev. 113 (2018).
• Leah M. Christensen, Legal Reading and Success in Law School: The Reading Strategies of Law Students With Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), 12 Scholar: St. Mary's L. Rev. on Minority Issues 173 (2010). 
• Dyane L. O’Leary, Flipped Out, Plugged In, and Wired Up: Fostering Success for Students with ADHD in the New Digital Law School, 45 Capital University Law Review 289 (2018).

• Aebra Coe, Path to Inclusion: BigLaw's Road to Embrace Neurodiversity, Law360 (January 2024)
• Jessica R. Blaemire, More Neurodiversity Among Law Students than Lawyers, Bloomberg News (February 2024)
  • 25% of law students identified as neurodivergent in Bloomberg Law's 2023 Law School Preparedness Survey
• Angela Sordi, National Association for Law Placement (NALP), Accessibility Without a Disadvantage: Supporting Neurodivergent Lawyers and Law Students, NALP Bulletin+ (March 2022) 
  • Interview with an autistic lawyer about his experiences with law school, on campus interviews, and as a practicing attorney
• M. Suzanne Hartness & John D. Bowers, Neurodiversity in the Practice of Law: Great Minds Don't Always Think Alike, ABA Law Practice Magazine (Nov. 1, 2020).
• .Paul Johnson & Andrea Sordi, National Association for Law Placement (NALP), Neurodiversity: A Primer, NALP Bulletin+ (Sept 1, 2021)
  • This article from NALP's Neurodiversity in the Legal Profession Task Force provides an introduction to neurodiversity for people in the legal profession. The Task Force's purpose is "to review the barriers to inclusion of neurodiverse law students and lawyers including stigma, lack of understanding, and hesitancy to disclose/under reporting."  
• Haley Moss, The Neurodiverse Guide to Bar Exam Accessibility (July 2021).
• Stephanie Francis Ward, For Lawyers with Autism, The Work Often Pairs With Things They Do Well, ABA Journal (April 22, 2019).
• ABA Journal's Modern Law Library (Podcast): "How neurodiverse lawyers can thrive in the profession–and change it for the better." (Aug. 1, 2021).

• Speaking Spectrumly (Podcast): "Accommodations for Neurodivergent Lawyers, with Mikhaela Ackerman." (Ep. 113, June 22, 2021)

  • "In this episode, hosts Haley Moss and Dr. Lori Butts welcome back autism self-advocate Mikhaela Ackerman to discuss neurodiversity acceptance in the profession of law. "
• Law School Toolbox (Podcast): "Quick Tips -- Succeeding in Law School with ADHD," (Ep. 437, February 20, 2024).
• Sydney Montgomery (Podcast): "Break Into Law: Applying to Law School with ADHD", (Ep. 131, February 7, 2024)

Westlaw's Law School Survival Guide: Succeed in Law School as a Neurodivergent Student 

• Tips and strategies for neurodivergent law students
• Advice on disability accommodations
• Recommendations of Westlaw features that are neurodivergent-friendly