Compassionate Pedagogy for Autistic & Neurodivergent Students | Ts. Dr. Teoh Kok Ban

How can we support autistic and neurodivergent students in higher education without lowering academic standards? In this sharing session, Ts. Dr. Teoh Kok Ban from the National Higher Education Research Institute (IPPTN), Universiti Sains Malaysia, explores Compassionate Pedagogy as a practical and human-centred approach to teaching and learning. The session highlights how educators can recognise unnecessary barriers, better understand learner differences, and intentionally design learning environments that allow students to participate, learn and flourish while maintaining meaningful academic expectations. Key areas discussed include: • Compassionate pedagogy and academic standards • Moving from judgement to curiosity • Hidden curriculum and masking • The Double Empathy Problem • Psychological safety in learning • Universal Design for Learning (UDL) • Flexible and meaningful student participation • Clearer communication and assessment • Strengths-based approaches to neurodivergent learners • Practical strategies educators can apply immediately A central message of the session is that the learning outcome can remain the same even when the pathway towards achieving it is different. Inclusive practices designed for some students can ultimately create better learning experiences for everyone. #CompassionatePedagogy #Neurodiversity #HigherEducation #Autism #NeurodivergentStudents #InclusiveEducation #HumanCentredEducation #UDL #TeachingAndLearning