A significant new piece of research published in Frontiers in Education (June 2025) titled “Digital literacy and academic performance: The mediating role of self-efficacy and metacognitive strategies” offers compelling insights into how digital literacy skills influence student achievement. Though not specific to neurodivergent learners, its findings have strong implications for how specialist literacy educators can better tailor digital tools and strategies to meet diverse

Recent research highlights that the science of reading—structured, evidence-based instruction—can help up to 95% of students achieve literacy success, including those who are neurodivergent. Strong Tier 1 (core) instruction, delivered with fidelity and responsiveness, is foundational. However, the research also cautions that while whole-class scaffolding and structure benefit all learners, neurodivergent students need more: a hybrid model that combines class-wide strategies w