Sarah Silverman
@sarahesilverman.bsky.social
Instructional designer and instructor of Disability Studies. Neurodiversity history and applications to teaching, UDL, feminist pedagogy. (she/her) www.sarahemilysilverman.com
A post with a taste of my "Working with Neurodivergent Instructors" workshop: What can go wrong (and right) when a team discusses a neurodivergent participant's behavior
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/that-one-p...
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/that-one-p...
That one participant with so many questions
A case study of neurodivergence, label, and stigma from a recent workshop
beyondthescope.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:35 PM
A post with a taste of my "Working with Neurodivergent Instructors" workshop: What can go wrong (and right) when a team discusses a neurodivergent participant's behavior
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/that-one-p...
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/that-one-p...
A new post, somewhat different from my usual themes: my experiences with independent scholarship, or my very long answer to what I do for work
open.substack.com/pub/beyondth...
open.substack.com/pub/beyondth...
An honest perspective on independent scholarship
Or, my answer to “What do you do for work?”
open.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:28 PM
A new post, somewhat different from my usual themes: my experiences with independent scholarship, or my very long answer to what I do for work
open.substack.com/pub/beyondth...
open.substack.com/pub/beyondth...
A new post: Perhaps of interest if you think about peer rejection for neurodivergent students, and some possible ways to address it. Also if you like talking about books with other people
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/social-oil...
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/social-oil...
“Social oil”: Pondering how we can apply research on double-empathy to collaborative group activities
In my ongoing engagement with both primary and grey literature about neurodivergent student experiences, I’ve noticed a trend that is not often mentioned in discussions of pedagogy.
beyondthescope.substack.com
September 18, 2025 at 7:35 PM
A new post: Perhaps of interest if you think about peer rejection for neurodivergent students, and some possible ways to address it. Also if you like talking about books with other people
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/social-oil...
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/social-oil...
Series on neurodivergence and alternative grading is now complete!
1. Why we're interested emilypittsdonahoe.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
2. Some existing discourse beyondthescope.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
3. Conclusions and ideas for future research beyondthescope.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
1. Why we're interested emilypittsdonahoe.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
2. Some existing discourse beyondthescope.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
3. Conclusions and ideas for future research beyondthescope.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
Neurodivergence and Alternative Grading, Part 3
What We Learned and Where We Might Go Next
beyondthescope.substack.com
September 2, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Series on neurodivergence and alternative grading is now complete!
1. Why we're interested emilypittsdonahoe.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
2. Some existing discourse beyondthescope.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
3. Conclusions and ideas for future research beyondthescope.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
1. Why we're interested emilypittsdonahoe.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
2. Some existing discourse beyondthescope.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
3. Conclusions and ideas for future research beyondthescope.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
Third & final post in my series on Neurodivergence and Alternative Grading w/ @empittsdonahoe.bsky.social
We share some of our thoughts on how to make alt-grading more neurodiversity-informed, based on our research and conversations, plus ideas for future research
open.substack.com/pub/beyondth...
We share some of our thoughts on how to make alt-grading more neurodiversity-informed, based on our research and conversations, plus ideas for future research
open.substack.com/pub/beyondth...
Neurodivergence and Alternative Grading, Part 3
What We Learned and Where We Might Go Next
open.substack.com
August 29, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Third & final post in my series on Neurodivergence and Alternative Grading w/ @empittsdonahoe.bsky.social
We share some of our thoughts on how to make alt-grading more neurodiversity-informed, based on our research and conversations, plus ideas for future research
open.substack.com/pub/beyondth...
We share some of our thoughts on how to make alt-grading more neurodiversity-informed, based on our research and conversations, plus ideas for future research
open.substack.com/pub/beyondth...
If you are interested in how neurodivergent students experience alternative grading, Emily and I have attempting to summarize some of the existing discourse here - we have included a works cited if you are interested to see all the sources we consulted.
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
Neurodivergence and Alternative Grading, Part 2
Some existing discourse
beyondthescope.substack.com
August 15, 2025 at 6:39 PM
If you are interested in how neurodivergent students experience alternative grading, Emily and I have attempting to summarize some of the existing discourse here - we have included a works cited if you are interested to see all the sources we consulted.
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
Excited to share this new post in our series on neurodivergence and alternative grading!
The second post in a series on neurodivergence and alternative grading by @sarahesilverman.bsky.social and myself is live! In this post, we review some existing discourse on the topic. beyondthescope.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
Neurodivergence and Alternative Grading, Part 2
Some existing discourse
beyondthescope.substack.com
August 15, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Excited to share this new post in our series on neurodivergence and alternative grading!
Reposted by Sarah Silverman
It's my birthday today and I can't think of a better way for you all to celebrate it than to PRE-ORDER OUR BOOK! press.jhu.edu/books/title/...
Of Many Minds
Neurodiversity and Mental Health Among University Faculty and Staff
press.jhu.edu
August 14, 2025 at 2:28 PM
It's my birthday today and I can't think of a better way for you all to celebrate it than to PRE-ORDER OUR BOOK! press.jhu.edu/books/title/...
The first in a planned series of 3 posts w/ @empittsdonahoe.bsky.social - All about alternative grading and neurodivergence. The first post explains why we are interested in this topic. Two next 2 explore what others have written and where we should go next
beyondthescope.substack.com/cp/169858001
beyondthescope.substack.com/cp/169858001
Neurodivergence and Alternative Grading, Part 1
Why we're curious about this topic
beyondthescope.substack.com
August 1, 2025 at 6:59 PM
The first in a planned series of 3 posts w/ @empittsdonahoe.bsky.social - All about alternative grading and neurodivergence. The first post explains why we are interested in this topic. Two next 2 explore what others have written and where we should go next
beyondthescope.substack.com/cp/169858001
beyondthescope.substack.com/cp/169858001
Reposted by Sarah Silverman
This is a great post about the access frictions around sound/noise in classroom spaces.
Is active learning too loud? If for you the answer is yes, you might be interested in this post, the second in my series about instructor-student access friction beyondthescope.substack.com/p/access-fri...
Access frictions with background noise in the classroom
Or, the (not so) dull roar of active learning
beyondthescope.substack.com
July 17, 2025 at 5:17 PM
This is a great post about the access frictions around sound/noise in classroom spaces.
Reposted by Sarah Silverman
I struggle with this one as a deaf person. I try to incorporate reading discussions, but I can't participate. I try to enable group learning activities, but then the debriefs/presentations are not accessible to me.
Is active learning too loud? If for you the answer is yes, you might be interested in this post, the second in my series about instructor-student access friction beyondthescope.substack.com/p/access-fri...
Access frictions with background noise in the classroom
Or, the (not so) dull roar of active learning
beyondthescope.substack.com
July 17, 2025 at 5:06 PM
I struggle with this one as a deaf person. I try to incorporate reading discussions, but I can't participate. I try to enable group learning activities, but then the debriefs/presentations are not accessible to me.
Is active learning too loud? If for you the answer is yes, you might be interested in this post, the second in my series about instructor-student access friction beyondthescope.substack.com/p/access-fri...
Access frictions with background noise in the classroom
Or, the (not so) dull roar of active learning
beyondthescope.substack.com
July 17, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Is active learning too loud? If for you the answer is yes, you might be interested in this post, the second in my series about instructor-student access friction beyondthescope.substack.com/p/access-fri...
You might be interested in this post if you have ever experienced executive functioning differences or difficulties as an instructor - some quotes are also sharing helpful experiences
On student-instructor access friction related to advance distribution of "slides" or other materials
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/sending-th...
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/sending-th...
Sending the slides ahead of class
Student-instructor access friction related to the distribution of materials
beyondthescope.substack.com
June 30, 2025 at 3:01 PM
You might be interested in this post if you have ever experienced executive functioning differences or difficulties as an instructor - some quotes are also sharing helpful experiences
On student-instructor access friction related to advance distribution of "slides" or other materials
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/sending-th...
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/sending-th...
Sending the slides ahead of class
Student-instructor access friction related to the distribution of materials
beyondthescope.substack.com
June 30, 2025 at 1:38 PM
On student-instructor access friction related to advance distribution of "slides" or other materials
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/sending-th...
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/sending-th...
A new post previewing some writing I'll be working on for the next few posts: teacher-student access friction issues
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/non-utopia...
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/non-utopia...
Non-utopian teaching and learning
A personal reflection on some of my writing over the past year
beyondthescope.substack.com
June 18, 2025 at 7:04 PM
A new post previewing some writing I'll be working on for the next few posts: teacher-student access friction issues
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/non-utopia...
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/non-utopia...
Reposted by Sarah Silverman
Session "Special topics: Neurodiversity" at #TheGradingConference:
@sarahesilverman.bsky.social making the point that #AltGrading *can* provide a "tolerance for error" that is often needed when neurodivergent students are trying to communicate with neurotypical instructors or vice versa.
@sarahesilverman.bsky.social making the point that #AltGrading *can* provide a "tolerance for error" that is often needed when neurodivergent students are trying to communicate with neurotypical instructors or vice versa.
June 11, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Session "Special topics: Neurodiversity" at #TheGradingConference:
@sarahesilverman.bsky.social making the point that #AltGrading *can* provide a "tolerance for error" that is often needed when neurodivergent students are trying to communicate with neurotypical instructors or vice versa.
@sarahesilverman.bsky.social making the point that #AltGrading *can* provide a "tolerance for error" that is often needed when neurodivergent students are trying to communicate with neurotypical instructors or vice versa.
As part of my independent faculty development practice, I'm offering a new way to work with me. This could be a great fit if you're looking for personalized support, (especially related to neurodiversity & accessibility), w/monthly events and office hours
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/announcing...
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/announcing...
Announcing: Beyond the Scope Circle
Hi everyone!
beyondthescope.substack.com
May 29, 2025 at 12:58 PM
As part of my independent faculty development practice, I'm offering a new way to work with me. This could be a great fit if you're looking for personalized support, (especially related to neurodiversity & accessibility), w/monthly events and office hours
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/announcing...
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/announcing...
My recent newsletter post answering a question that many people gloss over: Why is UDL is useful pedagogical response to neurodiversity?
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
Neurodiversity and UDL: A Friendship worth fostering
I’m glad to be back to writing this blog after a short pause to work on my book.
beyondthescope.substack.com
May 5, 2025 at 8:10 PM
My recent newsletter post answering a question that many people gloss over: Why is UDL is useful pedagogical response to neurodiversity?
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/neurodiver...
A new post on my newsletter, with some examples of how I apply the neurodiversity paradigm to teaching and learning challenges
open.substack.com/pub/beyondth...
open.substack.com/pub/beyondth...
How to think about teaching using the "neurodiversity paradigm"
This week’s post is a more of an extended thought, as I have been busier than usual with other writing projects and teaching (perhaps an “evergreen” statement - when are writing and teaching not extre...
open.substack.com
January 29, 2025 at 6:53 PM
A new post on my newsletter, with some examples of how I apply the neurodiversity paradigm to teaching and learning challenges
open.substack.com/pub/beyondth...
open.substack.com/pub/beyondth...
A few thoughts on UDL 3.0. The UDL guidelines are a useful resource, in need of critical consideration, but also not the only way to "do" Universal Design in teaching. I tried to highlight some of the interesting changes that have been made in this version
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/udl-30-wha...
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/udl-30-wha...
UDL 3.0: What higher ed instructors might want to know
And some of my own reactions
beyondthescope.substack.com
January 7, 2025 at 5:59 PM
A few thoughts on UDL 3.0. The UDL guidelines are a useful resource, in need of critical consideration, but also not the only way to "do" Universal Design in teaching. I tried to highlight some of the interesting changes that have been made in this version
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/udl-30-wha...
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/udl-30-wha...
A last post from my newsletter this year - a retroactive dedication with two anecdotes about "the very hungry caterpillar" beyondthescope.substack.com/p/a-retroact...
A Retroactive Dedication and Happy Holidays
My last post of this year is a retroactive dedication.
beyondthescope.substack.com
December 19, 2024 at 3:07 PM
A last post from my newsletter this year - a retroactive dedication with two anecdotes about "the very hungry caterpillar" beyondthescope.substack.com/p/a-retroact...
This seems to have worked!
I am trying changing my handle to include my middle initial, to attempt to prevent mistaken "other sarah silverman" tagging, which is very difficult to stop/monitor. I hope this doesn't affect any starter packs or anything! Just one of the hazards of my name
December 11, 2024 at 4:27 PM
This seems to have worked!
A new post on an old question, and some possible responses: "Isn't that just 'good teaching'?" beyondthescope.substack.com/p/one-of-the...
If you are interested in general critical musings on teaching and learning work in higher ed, feel free to subscribe! beyondthescope.substack.com
If you are interested in general critical musings on teaching and learning work in higher ed, feel free to subscribe! beyondthescope.substack.com
One of the FAQs of educational development
"Isn't that just good teaching?"
beyondthescope.substack.com
December 5, 2024 at 6:27 PM
A new post on an old question, and some possible responses: "Isn't that just 'good teaching'?" beyondthescope.substack.com/p/one-of-the...
If you are interested in general critical musings on teaching and learning work in higher ed, feel free to subscribe! beyondthescope.substack.com
If you are interested in general critical musings on teaching and learning work in higher ed, feel free to subscribe! beyondthescope.substack.com
I am trying changing my handle to include my middle initial, to attempt to prevent mistaken "other sarah silverman" tagging, which is very difficult to stop/monitor. I hope this doesn't affect any starter packs or anything! Just one of the hazards of my name
December 4, 2024 at 8:58 PM
I am trying changing my handle to include my middle initial, to attempt to prevent mistaken "other sarah silverman" tagging, which is very difficult to stop/monitor. I hope this doesn't affect any starter packs or anything! Just one of the hazards of my name
Some reflections on a recent conference experience and what ideas it gave me about scaffolding social learning experiences.
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/scaffoldin...
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/scaffoldin...
Scaffolding for in-person interactions
Thinking about how I can apply some positive conference experiences to my teaching and facilitation
beyondthescope.substack.com
November 18, 2024 at 2:15 PM
Some reflections on a recent conference experience and what ideas it gave me about scaffolding social learning experiences.
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/scaffoldin...
beyondthescope.substack.com/p/scaffoldin...