Designing Schools for Neurodivergent Students

Better Learning Podcast

In this insightful episode, Kevin Stoller dives deep into the world of student-centered school design with architects Laura Smyles and Emily Wright. The conversation is centered around creating inclusive learning environments that support all students, with a focus on neurodivergent learners. Laura and Emily share their personal journeys into educational architecture, emphasizing how crucial it is to address the unique sensory and movement needs of students.

By incorporating furniture experts early in the process, schools can optimize design solutions that meet the diverse needs of students, ensuring that every child has a supportive space to thrive.

Takeaways:

• Designing schools should prioritize the needs of neurodivergent students and create inclusive learning environments.
• Movement and sensory processing should be supported through the use of furniture and classroom layouts.
• Acoustics play a crucial role in creating a conducive learning environment, and reducing visual clutter is important for minimizing sensory overload.
• Spaces that provide both prospect and refuge are important for students to feel safe and regulated.
• Involving furniture experts early in the design process can lead to better outcomes and avoid budget and design issues.

Emily J. Wright is a registered architect with over 15 years of experience, an undergraduate degree in biochemistry, a background in clinical psychology, and experience teaching English abroad. Although neurotypical herself, her father, brother, husband, and their three children are neurodivergent. She believes buildings and spaces have a profound impact on our functioning and well-being.

Laura Smyles has over 12 years of experience as an Architect and Educational Planner with Grimm + Parker. As the daughter of a 25-year-long career public school teacher, she brings her unique perspective to educational design along with her direct experience of working with several school systems across the DMV. Mom to three under 5, she is especially familiar with the importance of creating an environment that improves emotional regulation - for kids and adults alike.

Follow Emily J. Wright on Social Media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-wright-69a91781/

Follow Laura Smyles on Social Media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-smyles-aia-well-ap-251b9945/

Learn More About Grimm + Parker Architects:

Website: https://www.grimmandparker.com/

Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Find out more about Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/.

For more episodes of the Better Learning Podcast, visit https://www.betterlearningpodcast.com/

Episode 196 of the Better Learning Podcast

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

For more information on our partners:

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/

Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/

Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/

Kay-Twelve - https://www.kay-twelve.com/

EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/

Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/