ELGEM (Experience-Led Guiding Empowerment Model; Beaux, H. M., Karimi, P., and Pop, O.) is a phenomenological approach to identifying and addressing contextual factors that impact learning.
ELGEM highlights lived experience and practical approaches with conventional research approaches. While scientific facts are great and necessary for understanding general patterns and trends, lived experiences provide underrepresented insights into the individual and subjective aspects of a phenomenon. Lived experiences can highlight nuances, variations, and the human impact that might not be fully captured by scientific data alone. Neurodivergent individuals have less representation over what professionals studying their condition say about them. These well-studied professionals can carry and perpetuate biases that are marginalizing toward NDs. Combining scientific evidence with personal narratives helps to ensure a more comprehensive perspective on this complex issue.