Neurodiversity Online

This project aims to identify the barriers for neurodivergent people engaging in online interactions. The ultimate goal is to produce best practice guidelines for making online interactions inclusive.

We are currently relying on online communications more than ever before. Online meetings for work and social reasons have become a default during the Covid-19 pandemic, although they may be particularly challenging for neurodivergent individuals for two reasons. First, neurodivergent individuals may have difficulty picking up subtle social signals, making it difficult to know when to speak, or whether their audience is attentive. These signals are further diminished in online interactions, exacerbating this challenge. Second, neurodivergent individuals report a range of sensory integration issues which can lead to difficulties in attending to relevant information. Online interactions, where multiple video and audio feeds need to be processed and attended to selectively may be particularly challenging.

Through a series of interviews, focus groups and experimental studies, we are evaluating the challenges of interacting online and exploring ways of adapting online interactions to make them more inclusive to all.

Project Partners:

• Dr. Lauren Marsh

• Dr Danielle Ropar

• Ms Rebecca Hale

• Ms Ellen Howard

Get in contact:

If you have any questions about this project, please get in contact with Lauren Marsh (lauren.marsh@nottignham.ac.uk)