2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

A growing body of literature suggests that neurodiverse learners, including autistic, ADHD, and dyslexic students, may possess strengths that are highly desirable within engineering disciplines, such as systems thinking, creativity, and 3D visualization skills. However, despite the potential of neurodiverse individuals to contribute to innovative solutions to engineering problems, they remain highly underrepresented in engineering majors. With this in mind, a department-level initiative was established to radically transform the educational experience by moving beyond mere accommodation of learning differences and empower students to leverage their unique strengths. In undertaking this transformation, an epistemic communities model of change was implemented as part of an NSF Revolutionizing Engineering Departments (RED) grant within the context of a Civil and Environmental Engineering department at an R1 institution. Epistemic communities unite members in a shared purpose through the establishment and transmission of shared values and practices, allowing stakeholders to build community from within and sustain lasting change. Through our epistemic community, we aim to contribute to a paradigm shift that transforms how university faculty and staff understand and perceive neurodiversity while enhancing the educational experiences of neurodiverse students.
This paper presents an overview of these departmental transformation efforts, with a particular focus on the shared theory, code, and tools around which our epistemic community is constructed. First, we present a social ecology theoretical framework (theory) that moves away from the predominant, deficit-based approach toward neurodiversity. Second, we discuss the infusion of strengths-based language (code) related to neurodiversity and its role in contributing to a collective mind shift. Third, we present a discussion of the practices, structures, and artefacts (tools), such as shared standards for course revision, that were established and co-created by community members to facilitate departmental change.