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Disability and Neurodiversity: Biological Pillar

Resources to help broaden disability and neurodiversity perspectives across the biological pillar of APA’s National Standards for High School Psychology Curricula


Educators may use the following links to jump to a specific section of this page:

Research summaries

Suggested instructions: Research summaries may be incorporated into a lecture or shared with students as a reading to demonstrate how psychological science explores the breadth and diversity of human experience. These resources can also be used to encourage students to identify the major components of a research study (i.e., the hypothesis or study question, sample, method, and findings). Students may also be asked to identify potential limitations of the study and encouraged to discuss the implications for our understanding of human behavior. Keywords highlight how concepts within and across pillars are incorporated into a single research study.

Sample research summaries

Therapist works with man in wheelchair who has Down syndrome.

Implicit theories concerning the intelligence of individuals with Down syndrome

Think professionals who work with people with disabilities are immune to bias? Think again
Young woman meditates while sitting in her wheelchair.

Internet-delivered mindfulness for people with depression and chronic pain following spinal cord injury: A randomized, controlled feasibility trial

A groundbreaking study explores whether mindfulness meditation can soothe pain and lift mood in people with paralysis
African American teenage girl asleep in bed.

Sleep quality, affect, pain, and disability in children with chronic pain: Is affect a mediator or moderator?

Keeping kids who experience chronic pain in a good mood may help them get better sleep

Psychologist profiles

Suggested instructions: Profiles may be shared with students to show the inclusiveness of the profession and the broad range of backgrounds of individuals who are psychologists. As an additional activity, students can be asked to conduct research to learn more about the psychologist and their work. An alternative assignment could be to ask students to find other psychologists who reflect the inclusiveness of the profession whose work falls into this content pillar. Keywords highlight how psychological scientists study concepts within and across pillars.

Sample psychologist profiles

Daniel Bradford, PhD

Daniel Bradford, PhD

An early career psychologist who researches where emotion and addiction meet

Additional resources

Suggested instructions: Additional resources are provided as supporting instructional aids for high school teachers to use in class.

Videos

  • Findlay. N. (2022, February 2). Cochlear implant simulation on speech and how I feel about my implant [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6nN7XYxr5copens in new window

    This video by Nelle Findlay allows all students to understand what it may sound like to have a cochlear implant. Empathy is something we hope our students embrace and Nelle’s video gives others a more concrete understanding of this technology.

The development of high school teaching resources about psychological science and the breadth and diversity of those who are psychologists is an  APA Committee of Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools initiative supported by funding from the American Psychological Foundation David and Carol Myers Fund. This resource was developed by Kara Ayers, PhD; Emily Lund, PhD; Erika Sanborne; and Allison Shaver.

Last updated: November 2026Date created: August 2024