Neurodiversity & Technology

As technology continues to transform the way services are designed and delivered, professionals need the skills to evaluate digital solutions through a neuro-inclusive lens. This course explores how technologies can support neurodivergent individuals while considering the practical, ethical and accessibility challenges involved in their design, development and implementation.

Participants will examine a wide range of emerging and established technologies, including assistive technologies, wearable and sensory tools, artificial intelligence, learning and gaming platforms, and biometric technologies. By the end of the course, you will be better equipped to make informed decisions about technology that promotes inclusion, participation and positive outcomes for neurodivergent individuals across a variety of professional contexts.

To view the module descriptor (HLTH1104), please visit Programme Specifications and Module Descriptors 

 

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for professionals who want to understand how technology can be used to create more inclusive, accessible and empowering experiences for neurodivergent individuals.

It is particularly relevant for:

• Health and social care professionals exploring the use of technology to support neurodivergent individuals
• Education professionals interested in inclusive learning technologies and digital accessibility
• Professionals involved in the design, development, implementation or evaluation of digital products, services or technologies
• Managers, practitioners and service developers seeking to improve accessibility, participation and inclusion through technology
• Professionals who have completed the Introduction to Neurodiversity course and wish to deepen their understanding of technology from a neuro-inclusive perspective

 

Why take this course?

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in supporting neurodivergent individuals across health, social care, education and wider society. From assistive technologies and wearable devices to artificial intelligence and digital platforms, organisations need professionals who can critically assess whether technology is accessible, inclusive and designed to meet the diverse needs of the people who use it.

This course helps you develop that capability by exploring both the opportunities and the challenges of technology through a neuro-inclusive perspective. You will examine issues such as accessibility, autonomy, ethics and inclusive design, enabling you to make informed decisions about selecting, developing or implementing technologies that support participation, independence and positive outcomes for neurodivergent individuals.

 

What you will learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Evaluate emerging and established technologies through a neuro-inclusive perspective, considering how they support the needs of neurodivergent individuals
• Apply inclusive and participatory design principles when assessing the development and implementation of digital technologies
• Assess the accessibility, usability and effectiveness of technologies designed to support neurodivergent people across different settings
• Identify and evaluate the ethical considerations involved in developing and using technologies that support neurodivergent populations
• Make informed recommendations that promote inclusive, accessible and person-centred use of technology in professional practice

 

How you will learn

This course is delivered online, providing the flexibility to study alongside your professional and personal commitments. Learning takes place through the University's virtual learning environment and combines weekly live online sessions, guided learning materials, asynchronous learning activities and independent study.

The course comprises approximately 200 hours of learning, including 36 hours of tutor-led learning (18 hours of lectures and 18 hours of tutorials), 44 hours of asynchronous online learning activities, 6 hours of personal development planning, and around 114 hours of independent study. Throughout the course, you will engage with current evidence, critically evaluate technologies and apply your learning to real-world professional contexts.

This flexible learning approach enables you to build advanced professional knowledge while balancing postgraduate study with the demands of your workplace.

 

Course content

• Exploring technology through a neuro-inclusive lens

Examine how technology can support neurodivergent individuals while considering its impact on inclusion, participation and independence.

• Evaluating digital and assistive technologies

Explore a range of existing and emerging technologies, including assistive technologies, wearable and sensory tools, artificial intelligence, learning and gaming platforms, and biometric technologies.

• Inclusive design and accessibility

Consider how inclusive and participatory design principles can improve the accessibility, usability and effectiveness of technologies for neurodivergent individuals.

• Ethics, autonomy and innovation

Examine the ethical considerations involved in designing, developing and implementing technologies, balancing innovation with individual rights, autonomy and informed choice.

• Technology in professional practice

Explore how technology is being used across different professional settings to support communication, learning, participation and everyday life for neurodivergent individuals.

• Applying critical evaluation

Develop the skills to critically assess technologies and make evidence-informed recommendations that support more inclusive professional practice and service development.

 

Assessment

Assessment is designed to help you critically evaluate technologies that support neurodivergent individuals and demonstrate how neuro-inclusive principles can inform technology design, implementation and professional decision-making.

You will complete a narrated presentation, drawing on current evidence to critically evaluate an existing or emerging technology from a neuro-inclusive perspective. Your assessment will consider factors such as accessibility, inclusive design, ethics, autonomy and the experiences of neurodivergent individuals, enabling you to apply your learning to realistic professional contexts.

Through this assessment, you will strengthen your ability to communicate evidence-informed recommendations and make informed decisions about the use of technology to support more inclusive professional practice and service development.

 

Applying your learning

Throughout the course, you will:

• Critically evaluate technologies used to support neurodivergent individuals within your own professional context
• Apply neuro-inclusive and participatory design principles when considering the selection, development or implementation of digital solutions
• Reflect on the ethical, accessibility and usability considerations that influence technology adoption and inclusive practice
• Use current evidence to inform professional decision-making and identify opportunities to improve services through technology

You will leave with:

• Greater confidence in evaluating technologies through a neuro-inclusive perspective
• Enhanced capability to assess the accessibility, usability and ethical implications of digital solutions
• Practical skills to support the selection, design and implementation of technologies that promote inclusion and participation
• A stronger ability to influence technology-enabled service improvement and inclusive innovation within your organisation

 

Entry requirements

This course is designed for professionals who want to understand how technology can be used to create more inclusive, accessible and effective support for neurodivergent individuals.

As this is an SCQF Level 11 course, participants should be prepared to study at postgraduate level. Successful completion of the Introduction to Neurodiversity course (HLTH11001) is a prerequisite for entry, providing the foundational knowledge needed to critically evaluate technology from a neuro-inclusive perspective.

 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be awarded 20 credits at SCQF Level 11.

These credits may contribute towards further postgraduate study at UWS, where appropriate and in accordance with University regulations. This module is part of our MSc Neurodiversity.

 

Sector and workforce relevance

Digital technologies are increasingly shaping the way health, social care, education and other services support neurodivergent individuals. As new technologies continue to emerge, professionals need the skills to evaluate digital solutions critically, ensuring they are inclusive, accessible, ethically designed and responsive to the needs of diverse users.

This course reflects contemporary professional practice by exploring assistive technologies, artificial intelligence, wearable technologies and inclusive design through a neuro-inclusive perspective. Participants will strengthen their ability to make informed decisions about technology adoption, contribute to inclusive service development and support innovation that improves participation and outcomes for neurodivergent individuals.

 

NOTE: This is a university module and upon approval of your application, you will be invited to register and then supported to complete enrolment. To enrol on the university system, the first step involves security set-up using the Microsoft Authenticator app; you will need to ensure that you have a compatible smartphone.

Further enrolment information is available at the Student Information Portal.

To access this module via the CPD route, individuals should be ordinarily resident in Scotland.