USD Announces Equity And Neurodiversity Education Center

SAN DIEGO, CA — The University of San Diego Thursday announced a new center intended to help educators teach and better understand children whose brains work a little differently.

The Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity -- part of the School of Leadership and Education Sciences at USD -- will work with educators, child-serving professionals and caregivers to offer support, training and resources to meet the needs of students who are neurodivergent.

"Students choose to attend SOLES at USD because we develop educators, leaders and mental health professionals to help our various communities and empower them to inspire meaningful change," said Kimberly A. White-Smith, dean of the School of Leadership and Education Sciences.

"We are always seeking how to best serve our region, and in that pursuit, we saw the need for a unique solution to the challenges neurodivergent learners experience in their education journey, which is not new but has historically been overlooked or misunderstood.

"CEEN is our answer to ensuring educators are equipped with the strategies and skills needed to provide inclusive learning environments where unique and diverse minds are valued and celebrated."

Educators from preschool through university will be able to use the center's resources -- from interdisciplinary collaboration to programming and workshops.

"Because our education systems promote a narrow definition of success, we limit neurodivergent learners' opportunities to showcase their unique strengths and make valuable contributions," said Niki Elliott, director of the center. "Through our innovative professional development initiatives, CEEN will help open doors that previously have been closed.

"The true measure of success for CEEN is when educators and student-serving professionals no longer look away because they have the knowledge and tools to support neurodiverse learners."

San Diego Foundation provided the funding to get the center running.

— City News Service