Embracing Neuro-Inclusivity Within Physician Assistant/Associate Education: Challenging Organizational Cultural Norms and Navigating Communication Challenges

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. one author of this publication is identified as autistic in the project.

About the autistic author marker

Frizell, C. A., Graham, D., DuVentre, A., & Brown, S. D. (2024). Embracing Neuro-Inclusivity Within Physician Assistant/Associate Education: Challenging Organizational Cultural Norms and Navigating Communication Challenges. The Journal of Physician Assistant Education, 36(1), e102-e106. https://doi.org/10.1097/jpa.0000000000000575

Publication date: 2 Feb 2024 Added to AutiHub: 6 Oct 2026 Type: Article Article language: English

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
4
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 4 (25.0%)

Abstract

Abstract Effective communication in health care education is essential for creating an inclusive learning environment. This manuscript examines the crucial role of communication in physician assistant/associate (PA) education, particularly in the context of neurodiverse individuals, who constitute approximately 20% of the global population. A groundbreaking study by Nouri et al reveals a 3.1% overall disability prevalence among US practicing physicians, emphasizing the necessity for a comprehensive understanding of diversity in the health care profession. Considering the intersectionality of marginalized identities, this research sheds light on potential challenges health care providers face, underscoring the importance of promoting inclusivity and support for neurodiverse individuals in the PA profession. The increasing presence of neurodivergent students in postsecondary institutions, despite academic strengths, holds relevance for PA education. Recognizing the barriers and stigmas associated with neurodiversity is crucial for fostering inclusive environments within PA programs and sponsoring institutions. This manuscript explores the challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals in PA education and proposes strategies for cultivating a neuroinclusive culture through effective communication. With a focus on celebrating and using the strengths of all learners, regardless of neurodiversity, the overarching goal is to contribute to a paradigm shift in PA education, enriching the educational experience for students, educators, and support staff.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 27 Oct 2026 10:33.

Cited references
13
With a DOI
13
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
0
2 / 13 (15.4%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
0 / 13 (0.0%)
References with detected author names
13 / 13 (100.0%)
Without detected author names
0
Without a structured title
0
Without a stable identifier
0
References with raw author names still to review
0
References with external metadata lookup issues
0
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
64
From DOI or external metadata
64
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
0
23 / 64 (35.9%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 41 / 64 (64.1%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
10 / 64 (15.6%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 10 / 23 (43.5%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 10 / 64 (15.6%).
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  6. Takafumi Watanabe , Masaki Kondo , Mie Sakai , So Takabatake , Toshiaki Furukawa , Tatsuo Akechi (2021). Association of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Traits with Depression and Empathy Among Medical Students . Advances in Medical Education and Practice, Volume 12, 1259-1265. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  7. Lisa I. Iezzoni , Sowmya R. Rao , Julie Ressalam , Dragana Bolcic-Jankovic , Nicole D. Agaronnik , Tara Lagu et al. (2022). US Physicians’ Knowledge About The Americans With Disabilities Act And Accommodation Of Patients With Disability . Health Affairs, 41(1), 96-104. Health Affairs Publishing, LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  8. Bethelehem G Teshome , Mayur M Desai , Cary P Gross , Katherine A Hill , Fangyong Li , Elizabeth A Samuels et al. (2022). Marginalized identities, mistreatment, discrimination, and burnout among US medical students: cross sectional survey and retrospective cohort study . BMJ, 376(376), e065984. BMJ.
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  9. Damian Mellifont (2023). Ableist ivory towers: a narrative review informing about the lived experiences of neurodivergent staff in contemporary higher education . Disability & Society, 38(5), 865-886. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  10. Emily Hotez , Shanice Hudson , Asal Bastani , Laila Khorasani , Holly C. Hohmeister (2023). A call for inclusive public health communication to promote the health of neurodivergent communities during and post-COVID-19 . Public Health in Practice, 5, 100388. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  11. Lorna Hamilton , Petty Stephanie (2023). Compassionate pedagogy for neurodiversity in higher education: A conceptual analysis . Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 14. Frontiers Media SA.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations