Why Schools Still Fail Neurodiverse Students – A Deep Dive with Christopher Wyatt - Episode 63

Inclusion and Disability Advocacy from a Parent's Perspective: The Inclusive Dad

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Christopher Wyatt, an autistic self-advocate, educator, and father of two neurodiverse daughters. Christopher shares his insights on inclusion, universal design, and the persistent barriers in education. He discusses how outdated systems, resistance to change, and lack of input from people with disabilities hinder accessibility. Drawing from personal and professional experiences, he emphasizes the importance of listening to those directly impacted. The conversation highlights the role of leadership, the limitations of standardized education models, and practical strategies for embracing neurodiversity in schools and workplaces.

Key Takeaways:

Universal Design Matters – Inclusion should be seamless, benefiting everyone without requiring special accommodations.

Outdated Systems Persist – Education continues to fail neurodiverse students by clinging to ineffective teaching methods.

Leadership Shapes Inclusion – Administrators who prioritize accessibility drive real change in schools and workplaces.

Listening is Key – Inclusion starts with actively hearing and implementing what disabled individuals need.

Legal Compliance ≠ Inclusion – Meeting minimum accessibility laws does not equate to creating a truly inclusive environment.

Christopher’s definition of inclusion:

Inclusion should be natural. Which is that we design spaces and virtual technologies in a way that anyone can access and use them without special allowances.

Christopher’s Bio:

Parenting Neurodiverse children — those with ADHD, autism, sensory processing issues, and learning disabilities — presents challenges. As a diagnosed Autistic with ADHD and physical disabilities, I bring my experiences as a parent, researcher, educator, and Neurodiversity self-advocate to an audience.

My wife and I chose to be parents, fostering and then adopting two daughters. Audiences ask why an Autistic person would want to be a father. My experiences and academic credentials empower me to advocate for our daughters in a school system that too often fails to provide reasonable support.

Even well-intentioned parents, teachers, and researchers don't always understand what Neurodiverse minds and bodies experience.

As a speaker with more than 150 regional and national appearances and 15 years of consulting experience, I discuss autism, parenting, and education from the Autistic perspective.

The Autistic Me blog was launched in January 2007 when I began working on behalf of others with special needs. I completed my doctoral studies in 2010 at the University of Minnesota. While a doctoral student, I conducted two grant-funded research projects on autism and instructional technology.

I have published in academic journals, co-edited a scholarly collection, and have presented numerous conference papers.

Reflecting my passion for digital media, I also completed a Master of Fine Arts in film and digital technology; a Master of Arts in English composition theory and rhetoric; and undergraduate degrees in English and journalism.

Connect with Christopher:

Website: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CSWyatt

Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cswyatt/

SPAM© Count:

Host:

Yes

Current Guest:

Yes

Cumulative Guest Stats:

Yes - 30

No - 31

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