Practical tips for supporting neurodivergent learners in the classroom

College students sat together at a table smiling
Reading time: 7 minutes

Educators need to meet the needs of all students, including those who are neurodivergent. Neurodivergence refers to variations in the human brain and cognition, including dyslexia, ADHD, and autism. Among these, dyslexia is one of the most common learning differences, affecting how individuals process written and spoken language. Although each student’s needs are unique, there are several practical, research-backed strategies educators can employ to support and empower these learners.

Let’s look at some tips for teachers, which cover everything from font choice and classroom environment to presentation of information and assessment design. Although these are designed to support neurodivergent students, they will in fact help fostera more inclusive, accessible, and positive learning experience for all learners.

Supporting neurodivergent students
Play
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree app can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

Understanding the needs of neurodivergent learners

Before diving into practical strategies, it’s important to appreciate the experiences of neurodivergent and dyslexic learners. Dyslexia, for example, is not a marker of intelligence but rather a difference in how the brain processes language. Dyslexic learners may struggle with reading fluency, decoding, spelling and rapid word recognition, even while they often excel in creativity and complex problem-solving.

Neurodivergent learners – whether they have dyslexia, ADHD, autism or other differences – may benefit from adjustments in classroom routines, communication styles and learning materials. By understanding these needs, educators can create a more equitable and supportive environment.

The best fonts for dyslexic and neurodivergent students

Choosing the right font is a simple yet powerful way to boost reading accessibility for all students, especially those with dyslexia or other processing differences. The wrong font can make reading unnecessarily difficult and frustrating, while the right choice can help letters stand apart and reduce confusion.

Sans-serif fonts are widely recommended for their clean, straightforward design. These fonts lack the decorative "feet" (serifs) found in traditional fonts, making each character more distinguishable. Excellent san-serif choices include:

  • Arial
  • Verdana
  • Tahoma
  • Calibri
  • Century Gothic

Specialized dyslexia-friendly fonts

There are fonts specifically designed to support dyslexic readers by making commonly-confused letters less ambiguous and heavier at the bottom to help prevent letter flipping. These include OpenDyslexic, Dyslexie and Lexie Readable. However, these fonts are not universally popular with dyslexic readers.

Where possible, allow students to adjust font preferences on class devices so they can choose the font that's best for them.

Best practices in font formatting

Size: Use a minimum of 12–14 point size for clarity; larger sizes can be helpful for headings or for students who need more support.

Spacing: Increase line spacing to at least 1.5; wider letter spacing and extra space between paragraphs make reading less visually taxing.

Avoid italics and underlining: Italics distort letter forms and underlining can obscure letters—use bold to highlight instead.

Contrast: Opt for black or dark text on a pale, non-glare background (such as off-white or pastel shades).

Consistent layout: Keep formatting uniform throughout materials to minimize distractions and support predictable reading flow.

Avoid decorative or complex fonts: Steer clear of ornate, script or novelty fonts such as Papyrus. These fonts can confuse letter shapes, reduce legibility and make reading much harder for neurodivergent students. Stick to clean, simple typefaces designed for readability.

Remember, flexibility is crucial as different students may have distinct font preferences. Encourage learners to share what works best for them and adapt when feasible.

Presenting information clearly and accessibly

The way information is presented can make a big difference for neurodivergent learners.

  • Chunk information: Present content in small, manageable sections instead of large blocks of text. Use headings, bullet points and numbered lists to help organize ideas.
  • Use visual aids: Incorporate diagrams, mind maps, infographics and images alongside text. Many learners process visual information more effectively than written language alone.
  • Supplement written text with audio or video: Offer spoken instructions, audiobooks, or video explanations. Providing multiple avenues to access content supports a wider range of learning styles.
  • Minimize cognitive load: Avoid overwhelming students with too much information at once. Introduce new concepts gradually and review key points often.
  • Provide clear instructions: Break down tasks into step-by-step instructions. Check for understanding by having students repeat directions or demonstrate the task.

Supporting organization and memory

Some neurodivergent learners may face challenges with organization, working memory and following complex instructions. Consider the following:

  • Use planners and checklists: Provide visual checklists, planners or digital apps to help students organize assignments and deadlines.
  • Color-code materials: Color-coded folders and labels can help students quickly locate notes, homework and resources.
  • Allow note-taking alternatives: Encourage mind mapping, drawing or audio recording as alternatives to traditional note-taking.
  • Offer memory aids: Use mnemonics, rhymes and visual cues to reinforce key concepts.

Flexible assessment and assignment design

Standardized assessments and traditional assignments can disadvantage some neurodivergent learners. To level the playing field:

  • Offer alternatives to written exams: Allow students to demonstrate learning through oral presentations, videos or creative projects where appropriate.
  • Extended time and untimed tests: Provide extra time for reading, processing and producing work to reduce anxiety and allow for accurate demonstration of knowledge.
  • Clear rubrics: Share assessment criteria in advance and use straightforward language.
  • Feedback that builds confidence: Focus on effort, improvement and the strengths each student brings to the class.

Building an inclusive classroom environment

Creating a classroom culture that values difference, flexibility and acceptance is essential.

  • Promote a growth mindset: Emphasize that mistakes are part of learning. Celebrate progress, resilience, and creative thinking.
  • Encourage peer support: Foster collaboration, buddy systems and group work that allows students to shine in different roles.
  • Be mindful of sensory needs: Some neurodivergent learners are sensitive to noise, light or texture. Provide quiet zones, sensory tools or headphones as needed.
  • Respect privacy and agency: Allow students to disclose challenges at their own pace. Avoid singling anyone out or making assumptions about abilities.

Utilize technology

Technology offers a wealth of tools for making learning more accessible:

  • Text-to-speech software: Tools like NaturalReader and built-in accessibility features let students hear text read aloud.
  • Speech-to-text tools: Enable students to dictate assignments or notes, reducing the burden of spelling and handwriting.
  • Accessible learning platforms: Choose digital platforms that allow for customization, such as adjustable font sizes, background colors or audio narration.
  • Organizational apps: Tools such as Google Calendar, Trello or reminders can help neurodivergent students track assignments and manage time.

Communicating with families and specialists

Strong home-school collaboration is vital. Keep open lines of communication with families and, where possible, collaborate with learning specialists, speech-language therapists and occupational therapists. Share strategies that are effective in the classroom and seek input from caregivers who know their child’s strengths and needs best.

Be understanding

Every learner is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. The most powerful tool at a teacher’s disposal is a flexible, empathetic approach – one that invites feedback, encourages self-advocacy and continuously adapts.

By implementing these practical strategies, educators not only help neurodivergent and dyslexic students thrive academically but also foster a sense of belonging and self-worth that extends far beyond the classroom walls. In doing so, we empower all learners to unlock their full potential and contribute their distinct perspectives to our ever-evolving world.

Read our posts 'Dyslexia and ELT: How to help young learners in the classroom' and '5 ways to support students with dyslexia'.

Explore our courses

More blogs from app

  • A older techer sat with students, in particular looking at a laptop with one of the students

    Teacher technology adoption: What’s age got to do with it?

    By Jennifer Williams
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Educators, by design, are innovators. Living and working in a constant state of beta, teachers bring to the classroom a natural desire to explore and better understand new practices and methodologies to support students in their search for knowledge.

    Guided by an internal drive to make the world a better place and powered by the rewards of working daily with the youth that can create that positive change, teachers collectively are part of a profession different from any other. Within one classroom on any single day, a teacher can become a scientist, a historian, an inventor, or a scholar. Over time, whether in a one-room schoolhouse a century ago or in a technology enhanced classroom of the digital age, these defining characteristics of “teacher” have seemed to stay constant.

    Bridging the generational and digital divide

    Today, as citizens of our digital and global world, we are in an extraordinary time where divides are closing and collaboration becomes standard – where differences are truly celebrated and associations are surpassing separations in society.As educators, this change reflects what we have consistently asserted in our classrooms.

    Yet, terms like 'generational gap” and “digital divide” suggest a significant separation between us as teachers and our students. In truth, teachers and students are increasingly using asharedlanguage of innovation and exploration. Rather than sticking to notions of a technology-based generational divide, many are transcending the labels of “digital immigrants” and “digital natives”.

    This is further reinforced by current research demonstrating that technology adoption in education has less to do with age and instead is based more on exposure and experience (Bennett & Maton, 2010; Bullen, Morgan, & Qayyum, 2011; Guo, Dobson, & Petrina, 2008; Helsper & Eynon, 2010). As opposed to a focus on divides, this new evidence offers supportive pathways of possibilities to bring together older and younger generations in the process of learning in our world through exploration and wonder.

    Embracing skill development

    Moving attention away from a fixed age factor to emphasizing a continuum of proficiency based on exposure and experience enables teachers of all ages to identify as part of this digital age of education. Though digital technologies are fixtures in the daily lives of many (if not most) of our students, the ways students use technologies are not always consistent.

    Students of today – like students of previous generations – continue to need the guidance of teachers in finding ways to take and apply their understanding of technology to effectively convey perspectives with the world, influence the opinions of others, and contextualize and synthesize information in meaningful ways.

    Timeless lessons from teachers

    Teachers as innovators – young and old, tech-savvy and tech-novice – have extraordinary gifts to bring to their students, who are also navigating through digital environments. Though there are countless lessons teachers bring to students, here are several timeless ones that transcend any generation of teaching. Teachers guide students to use advanced technologies so that they can be...

    Critical consumers

    Today, students in our classrooms are bombarded with information at nearly every moment in time. With basic searches for information often leading students in multiple directions, research at every level has now become a highly complex and sophisticated process. The result is that we now see learning practices shifting from finding answers to discovering more questions.

    Teachers can guide students to evaluate and consume information critically. By promoting transparency and sharing, they help learners consider context and sources, reason with evidence and build knowledge.

    Creators of rich content

    As classrooms advance as blended learning environments, seamless integration of technologies and innovative teaching practices offers students opportunities to transform from passive learners to active content creators. With countless digital tools available for content creation, students can seek guidance from teachers on matching the best tool to a particular communicative purpose.

    Teachers who are skillful in creating synthesized messages can show students ways to comprehend and compose with combinations of digital technologies. Less in the role of directing lessons, the teacher becomes a catalyst for learning, inspiring students to work creatively and collaboratively to solve problems and respond to instructional lessons as producers of information.

    Centered on relationships

    A defining quality of a master teacher is the ability to create a positive learning community built on empathy and understanding. The focus on relationships in these classrooms models the continued importance of valuing alliances and friendships.

    Soft skills, such as joy, honesty, trust and respect, become even more essential as our students continue to interact in a highly networked and diverse world. Balance, too, becomes a critical area for discussion as students look to divide attention, time and social-emotional reserves between onscreen and in-person experiences.

    Within responsive classrooms and digital learning spaces that keep emphasis on the formation of relationships, teachers can offer opportunities for students to develop through collaboration, teamwork, solidarity and conflict resolution.

    Resilient in endeavors

    Our students are looking out onto a world where anything is possible. Digital age technologies are empowering students to believe: “if you can dream it, you can do it”. The impossible is within reach, and a mindset of grit and determination moves sparked ideas to a place of accomplishment and excellence.

    Through the creation of learner-driven classrooms centered on the student, teachers can help guide students to narrow their interests and ultimately find their passions. With relevance and authentic purpose, teachers can connect students in the process of learning through design thinking and trial and error – shifting the outlook from fear of failure to resilience and 'stick-to-itiveness' to advance learning to a place of discovery and invention.

    And it is this mindset – a position of inquiry and exploration – held by students and teachers, young and old, that can show that great will come from risk. We all just need to be ready to try.