Neurodiversity, Leadership, and Belonging

This course invites youth to explore the meaning and power of neurodiversity through real stories, everyday examples, and meaningful ways to create change. Designed and written by a neurodiverse group of young people from around the world, the course explores how the world often leaves some people out—and how we can all help make it more inclusive. Students will learn how different ways of thinking and being can strengthen leadership, build understanding, and help everyone feel like they belong. Through reflection and storytelling, youth will discover that there’s no one right way to be, and that every perspective matters.

Global Nomads uses the power of storytelling to promote empathy and bring social topics to life through day-to-day realities. Participating youth read authentic, impactful stories from youth participants around the world that reveal deep truths about global issues, then enhance the conversation by sharing their own stories with fellow Student to World users. All participants are eligible to participate in moderated live conversations with other youth from around the world.

About The Course

Who
Should Register?

Educators
Classroom teachers and school administrators.

Group leaders & mentors
Afterschool programs and groups, faith-based organizations, scouting, clubs, etc.

Independent learners
Individual youth participants.

Free Courses

  • Online access
  • 4 Learning Modules
  • Live Virtual Events
  • Age 13 – 19
  • English, Arabic and Spanish Language
Download the Lesson Plan

Register?

Teachers, Educators, & Leaders
Create an account and invite students or youth participants.

Register As An Educator

Students
If your teacher or group facilitator gave you a code.

Enter A Code

Independent Learners
Take a course on your own.

Register As An Independent Learner
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Text Format

Experience this content through text format.

Text-based
course

Includes written text, images, videos, and multimedia.

  • Interactive lessons
  • Respond to embedded videos and images
  • Closed captions in English, Arabic and Spanish
  • Understand key vocabulary
  • Read personal stories from real users
  • Submit and share stories
  • Image descriptions
  • Youth narration
Content is available in a growing selection of languages:
  • English
  • Arabic
  • Spanish

Learning
Modules

Module 1:

Understanding Neurodiversity

Explore what neurodiversity means, challenge assumptions about what is called “normal,” and discover how different ways of thinking and being can help us better understand ourselves and one another.

Module 2: 

Facing Adversity

Discover how systems like school, healthcare, and other parts of society often exclude neurodivergent people, and how understanding these barriers can help us build more inclusive communities.

Module 3:

Neurodiversifying Leadership

Explore how people with all kinds of minds—neurodivergent and neurotypical—can lead in ways that are inclusive, creative, and collaborative, and learn why teams are stronger when every perspective is valued.

Module 4:

Forging Belonging

Discover how to build spaces where all kinds of minds feel welcome—and how intentional actions, big or small, can help create true belonging in your community.

Learning
Objectives

  • Explore the terms neurodiversity, neurotypical, and neurodivergent.
  • Discover how different ways of thinking and being can help us better understand ourselves and one another.
  • Challenge common myths and assumptions about neurodivergence.
  • Identify common barriers that neurodivergent people face in schools, healthcare, and other systems.
  • Reflect on the emotional and social impact of masking and exclusion.
  • Explore ways individuals and communities can help make systems more inclusive.
  • Explore what neurodiverse leadership looks like and the strengths neurodivergent leaders bring to teams and communities.
  • Reflect on how inclusive leadership practices foster belonging and collaboration.
  • Recognize ways they can demonstrate leadership qualities in everyday life.
  • Explain the difference between inclusion and belonging.
  • Identify ways to forge belonging through intentional design and empathy.
  • Explore the concepts of double empathy, designing for the margins, and universal design.
  • Create a personal SMARTIE goal that promotes belonging in their community.

Standards
Alignments

Common Core Standards

English Language Arts Standards (Grades 6-12)

  • Key Ideas and Details: 
    • 1. Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
  • Integration of Knowledge and Ideas: 
    • 7. Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse formats and media, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  1. Good Health and Well-being
  2. Quality Education
  3. Decent Work and Economic Growth
  4. Reduced Inequalities
 

Asia Society Global Education Standards

  1. Investigate the World
  1. Recognize Perspectives
  2. Communicate Ideas
  3. Take Action

21st Century Skills

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • Creativity and Innovation
  • Flexibility and Adaptability
  • Initiative and Self-Direction
  • Productivity and Accountability
  • Leadership and Responsibility

CASEL

  • Self-Awareness
  • Self-Management
  • Social Awareness
  • Relationship Skills
  • Responsible Decision-Making

Center for Curriculum Redesign

  • Creativity (Imagination)
  • Critical Thinking (Decision-Making)
  • Communication (Dialogue)
  • Collaboration (Leadership)
  • Curiosity (Open-Mindedness)
  • Courage (Risk-Taking)
  • Resilience (Resourcefulness)
  • Ethics (Fairness)
  • Metacognition & Metaemotion (Adaptability**)