Have you got neurodivergent kids who you’d like to teach coding to, but don’t know where to start? Finding a coding project that kids will enjoy is challenging enough as it is, but finding one that engages neurodivergent kids can be even harder. Let’s look at some strategies for designing coding projects for school aged students, and break down the technical, physical and emotional considerations that help neurodiverse students succeed. There are many tools we can incorporate into lessons to foster growth, and all have different pros and cons. Both the technologies we use and the way we teach are important. By constructing your projects with intention for a neurodiverse audience, it can make them more accessible and entertaining for everyone, and build skills outside of just programming.
Figuring out engaging coding projects for neurodiverse learners can be very challenging. There are many approaches, tools, and methodologies to consider. In many cases, what works with one neurodiverse person may or may not work with another.
We’ll go through different tools and their pros and cons. Such as robotics kits, video game and media projects, and other projects that can incorporate special interests. These make learning interesting and fun, but can also overstimulate! So it’s also important to listen to your students, and help them manage their comfort and needs by giving them agency over their pace and environment.
There are lots of speed bumps that come with learning a programming language though. By understanding and anticipating them (but not entirely remove the challenges), we can smooth over the learning experience and avoid meltdowns and burn out. Always having a backup plan is also vital in this.
It’s not just the physical and technical environment that matters, but also emotional comfort. Understanding empathetic approaches to learning will help us to manage the higher emotional sensitivity that comes with neurodiversity. By putting ourselves into the shoes of our students, building trust rather than hierarchy, and adapting to their needs and going with their flow rather than fighting them, it strengthens positive associations with learning and makes everyone feel altogether happier.
Using these strategies when looking for or creating a project for neurodiverse learners will make it more fun, engaging and enriching for both the student and the teacher.
I work as a tech educator for all ages across multiple schools and universities, with a passion for neurodivergent education. I love teaching technology, and am excited to further improve my skills and the programs I teach so that every student feels empowered to learn and use it. Python was the first programming language I learnt, and so I always use it as the first step when teaching programming to my students.
