Dissonant Tones: Unpacking Differences In Communication Styles Between Neurodivergent And Neurotypical Individuals
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Presenter Bio
Tara Allen, Neurodiversity Program Manager of MIND at Berklee College of Music, provides support to neurodivergent students, and education to faculty and staff about neurodivergence. She is multi-neurodivergent music psychologist, music educator, bass clarinetist, advocate and neurodiversity specialist. She is also the Co-Founder of the Neurodivergent Music Network, a music network that academically researches the relationships between music and neurodivergence (and co-founder of Neurodivergent Music Studies, the academic field).
Presentation Description
“Neurodiversity” refers to the variety of ways that people’s brains work, often reflected in how individuals express themselves, process information, and interact with others. When a neurodivergent person and a neurotypical person try to communicate, this neurodiversity can make understanding and supporting one another challenging. In this session, Tara will be exploring and discussing some of the more common communication styles and practices used by neurodivergent individuals. Attendees will learn how to recognize neurodivergent communication styles and how to support their neurodivergent students, colleagues, and friends through intentional, small changes in everyday communication.
Pre-Session Materials
WATCH
"Neurodiversity 101: Language, Culture, and Identity" Given by Me. Only watch the 101 bit between 00:05:31-00:09:50 (Feel free to watch the entire thing if you want. This prepares your neurodiversity knowledge for more context BEFORE the presentation!)
READ
"Classroom Communication: Why It Matters and How To Improve It"
WATCH
"Inclusivity As A Pedagogical Consideration" by Andrew Dell'Antonio
Publication Date
4-6-2026
Campus
Berklee Online
Recommended Citation
Allen, Tara and Pedagogy Arts Collective, "Dissonant Tones: Unpacking Differences In Communication Styles Between Neurodivergent And Neurotypical Individuals" (2026). Pedagogy Arts Collective. 32.
https://remix.berklee.edu/pac/32