Engineering Education and Neurodiversity

Prior to joining Mizzou, Dr. Chrysochoou was the Principal Investigator of the project IUSE/PFE:RED Innovation Beyond Accommodation: Leveraging Neurodiversity for Engineering Innovation, which aims at creating learning environments that empower all students, including neurodiverse learners.  

While neurodiversity is often understood through the lens of medical diagnoses such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia, the project embraced the ecological model of neurodiversity, which views neurocognitive variations as natural and needed for human adaptation (Chapman, 2021). In the context of education, this means that the design of the educational system should be flexible and adaptive to such variations, considering the strengths that come with different neurocognitive profiles. Simply put, teachers should empower all students to bring their unique skills to the classroom and beyond.

Dr. Chrysochoou’s work in this area can be found in the following articles – all accessible to the public:

• Reframing neurodiversity in engineering education

• Redesigning Engineering Education for Neurodiversity: New Standards for Inclusive Courses

• Board 347: Positive Predictors of Neurodiverse Students' Sense of Belonging in Engineering

• Neurodivergent Student Characteristics and Engineering Course Outcomes

• Board 415: Transforming Engineering Education for Neurodiverity: Epistemic Communities as a Model for Change

Dr. Chrysochoou is building programs and collaborations with colleagues at Mizzou who are also passionate about celebrating neurodiversity and creating supportive teaching and research environments. A few can be found in the (non-exhaustive) list below.

Provost Taskforce for Neurodiversity at Mizzou

Overview

Mizzou has formed a Taskforce on Neurodiversity in Learning and Work Environments to strengthen support for neurodiverse students, faculty, and staff. This focused initiative will align with our priorities for student success, workforce readiness, and inclusive excellence. 

Purpose

• Assess current practices affecting neurodiverse members of our community.

• Identify barriers and opportunities for improvement in learning and work environments.

• Recommend research-informed strategies that align with Mizzou’s mission.

• Explore funding and partnerships tied to innovation, and workforce development.

Leadership

Marisa Chrysochoou, Dean of Engineering

Connie Brooks, Executive Director, Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment

Membership

• Ashley Brickley, Director, Disability Center

• Chuck Burgess, Assistant Director of Outreach, MU Counseling Center

• Shawn Christ, Professor, Department of Psychological Sciences

• Rabia Faizan, Assistant Professor, Department of Architechtural Studies

• Cortney Fish, Director, Training Division, Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment

• Annette Kendall, Associate Teaching Professor, Division of Applied Social Sciences

• Michael Krauch, Regional Director (northweast), MU Extension

• Erica Lembke, Curators' Distinguished Professor of Special Education, Associate Dean of Research, College of Education and Human Development

• Lea Ann Lowery, Clinical Professor; Faculty Fellow for Interprofessional Education, Health System, Occupational Therapy

• Bentley Lyda, Associate Director, Center for Teaching and Learning

• Tori Mondelli, Center for Teaching and Learning

• Anand Prahlad, Curators' Distinguished Professor Emeritus, English, Self-Advocate

• Jackson Wiley, Student, Self-Advocate

• Laine Young-Walker, Chair, Columbia School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry

• Duhita Zambre, Senior Program Manager, Undergraduate Admissions

Deliverables

• Initial report to the Provost: May 2026

Expected Impact

• Position Mizzou as a leader in neurodiversity in the Midwest.

• Enhance recruitment and success of neurodiverse students.

• Improve workplace satisfaction and retention of faculty and staff.

• Strengthen competitiveness for external funding and partnerships.

• Advance Mizzou’s land-grant mission of access and opportunity.