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Publication Date

2023

Abstract

Many jobs and schools closed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and a vast majority of students and employees found it difficult to resume their education and careers online; however, those on the neurodiverse spectrum found it much harder. Upon first glance, it was easy to see how frustrating and stressful online schooling was for special needs students. Many had difficulty concentrating during virtual lectures or lacked motivation to stay on task. Likewise, many neurodiverse employees found that at-home distractions were far worse than in-office ones, and the loneliness from staying home all day was jarring. But after pulling research from certified online educators and interviewing a college dropout who navigated online university with autism and ADHD, I found that there were more positives to remote working and online education that people were willing to admit. For students who were prone to bullying in traditional brick-and-mortar schools, online school was a safe haven. For employees who struggled to communicate in physical settings, remote working greatly reduced the anxiety of having to strike up conversation among peers. As we navigate the future of online education and remote working, it is just as important to understand the benefits of remote working and online learning for neurodiverse individuals, as well as the drawbacks.

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