Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Classrooms: Inclusive Strategies to Support Neurodivergent Students
- Kaitlyn Boudreault
- Aug 21, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 6
A variety of emotions may arise around school for students, teachers, and parents alike.
School can be particularly stressful for neurodivergent students, who may struggle with change, emotional regulation, waiting periods, and sensory processing challenges.
To foster inclusivity in the classroom, it's essential to embrace neurodiversity and develop neurodiversity-affirming classrooms.
This focus is crucial because neurodivergent students are less likely than their neurotypical peers to pursue and graduate from post-secondary education.
The good news is that classroom environments can evolve.
By reading this blog, you will discover more about neurodiversity-affirming classrooms, how to support neurodivergent individuals, and how educators can create more inclusive classrooms.
What is Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence?
The term "neurodiversity" was first coined in 1998 and encompasses all neurotypes, including neurotypical and neurodivergent brains, and everything in between.
Neurotypical brains tend to function in ways that align with dominant social norms. As a result, classroom structures are often designed with their success in mind.
In contrast, neurodivergent brains diverge from these norms. These individuals interact with and perceive the world differently due to unique neurocognitive functions.
The term "neurodivergent" was introduced around 2000 by autistic advocate Kassiane Asasumasu. It serves as an umbrella term encompassing various differences in brain function, such as:
Anxiety
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder
AUDHD (Autistic and ADHD)
Tourette’s syndrome
Epilepsy
Other neurotypes where the brain diverges from the norm.
Kassiane Asasumasu emphasized using "neurodivergent" as an inclusive term for all individuals whose functioning diverges from the norm.
What is neurodiversity in the classroom?
A neurodiversity-affirming perspective aligns with the social model of disability, viewing brain differences as natural variations in human functioning that enrich society and the classroom.
For a classroom to thrive, it must meet the needs of all students. Teachers are encouraged to incorporate various learning techniques to acknowledge these differences and provide every student with opportunities for success.
This model recognizes not only the strengths of neurodivergent students but also their support needs and challenges.
The challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals are viewed as products of an unaccommodating society, not personal failings.
Consequently, it is vital to remove barriers for neurodivergent students so they can flourish.
This approach should consider intersectionality, acknowledging how identities such as race, sexuality, and gender interact with neurodivergence to create distinct experiences and challenges.
Ultimately, neurodiversity-affirming classrooms adopt a holistic learning approach that encourages acceptance, supports individual challenges, and reduces the need for students to mask their true selves.
Challenges Faced by Neurodivergent Students in School
Despite comprising 15-20% of the global population, neurodivergent individuals often encounter significant barriers in educational settings.
Many face barriers that hinder their ability to thrive academically. Research has shown abysmal graduation and drop-out rates among neurodivergent students. For instance, children with ADHD are:
3 times more likely to be held back a grade
2.7 times more likely to drop out of high school (Barbaressi et al., 2007)
The neurodiversity-affirming model places responsibility for these outcomes on societal structures rather than on individuals.
Some challenges neurodivergent students may face include:
Ambiguous teaching styles
Insufficient understanding of neurodivergence among school staff
Professional biases that overlook neurodiversity.
Executive functioning challenges, including with planning, memory, motivation, and organization
Sensory processing difficulties
Social issues in group settings
Myths surrounding autism and ADHD can exacerbate these problems. For example, teachers may misinterpret neurodivergent traits as disrespectful behaviour, which can lead to disciplinary actions that increase the risk of expulsion or dropping out.
Such biases can compel neurodivergent students to mask their traits, leading to exhaustion and mental fatigue.
Moreover, many also find the accommodation process at schools to be complex and inflexible. Some require an official diagnosis for accommodations, which can be time-consuming and costly, creating further barriers.
Implementing policies that allow neurodivergent individuals to self-identify for accommodations could alleviate some of these challenges
Why Are Neurodiversity-Affirming Classrooms Important?
Neurodiversity is a vital aspect of overall classroom diversity. A neurodiversity-affirming approach underscores the values of various brain functioning differences.
It recognizes that while certain tasks may align better with neurotypical abilities, others may benefit from the strengths of neurodivergent individuals.
By fostering a neurodiverse classroom, educators can adapt to and successfully accomplish a broader range of tasks. This benefits all students, not just neurodivergent students.
Unique strengths of neurodivergent students may include:
Diverse Perspectives: Neurodivergent students can offer innovative approaches to problem-solving that challenge traditional ways of doing things.
Innovation: Unconventional problem-solving skills may yield fresh solutions to classroom challenges.
Strong Memory and Specialized Knowledge: Many neurodivergent individuals have remarkable memories related to specific topics. Schools can leverage these skills to enrich different fields of study.
Schools that promote neurodiversity-affirming approaches are more likely to foster creativity, drive innovation, and reduce drop-out rates among neurodivergent students.
How to Create Neurodiversity-Affirming Classrooms: Practical Strategies
As the concept of neurodiversity-affirming models continues to gain traction, now is an opportune time to implement these principles in the classroom.
Here are effective strategies to build a neuro-inclusive classroom:
Develop a Sensory-Friendly Environment
Many classrooms are filled with distractions and sensory stimulation that can overwhelm neurodivergent students.
To create a supportive environment:
Minimize distractions and sensory input (e.g., noise-cancelling headphones, clutter reduction)
Use natural lighting
Create a sensory corner for students to retreat when overwhelmed
2. Support Executive FunctioninG
Executive functioning encompasses mental processes like planning, organization, emotional control, and self-control that help you plan out and carry out a goal.
Provide coaching for executive functions like planning, organization, emotional control.
Use techniques such as body doubling, where a peer offers accountability and motivation
3. Implement Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
An IEP is crafted collaboratively with the child's caregiver(s) and outlines support needs for students with disabilities. It identifies each student's unique challenges, interests, strengths, and educational expectations.
However, challenges can arise in post-secondary education where IEP documentation may not transfer seamlessly. Professors can encourage students to utilize disability centers for support and ensure they know how to access accommodations.
Accommodations may include:
A quiet workplace to limit distractions
Noise-cancelling headphones
Additional time for assignments and tests
Allowing for microbreaks
Flexible assignment deadlines and location
Clear, direct communication
Alternative communication formats
Frequent feedback
Resources like stress balls and fidget spinners
Technology aids
Regular check-ins or feedback
Schools can also make sure that your accommodation process is fully accessible by eliminating the need for an official diagnosis to access accommodations.
Foster Strengths
All students have specific strengths that will benefit them in the classroom. Neurodivergent students may excel at art, literature, music, coding, and other creative subjects.
Identify and nurture the unique strengths of neurodivergent students. Tailor teaching methods to encourage each student's interests.
Guide Neurodivergent Students in Accessing Support
One barrier to neurodivergent students receiving support is the lack of communication on how to receive these supports and what supports are available.
To support students in navigating your school or classroom environment effectively, provide clear information on available supports and how to navigate the school environment to access them.
Consider sharing this information with caregivers for additional support.
Consult Neurodivergent Voices
To understand what areas of your classroom need to be improved, engage with neurodivergent individuals to assess and improve classroom practices. Ensure these consultations are compensated to recognize their contributions.
While doing a consultation, you can consider asking them what areas of your classroom are falling short in terms of being neurodiversity-affirming. Ultimately, people tend to be more likely to succeed when they feel heard and understood.
6 Tips for Navigating the Back-to-School Transition
The transition back to school can be particularly challenging for neurodivergent students due to:
Changes in routine and environment
Sensory fluctuations
Anxiety
Insufficient support
Communication barriers.
Here are some strategies to ease this transition:
Request Accommodations: Seek support from your school's Accessibility Centre to explore accommodations that can facilitate success.
Look for Disability Grants: Programs like the Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) grant in Ontario or the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities in other provinces and territories provide financial assistance for students facing disabilities.
Establish a routine: Consistency can help mitigate anxiety, especially for autistic individuals who thrive on routine. Set a schedule for waking, eating, studying, and relaxing to create a structured environment.
Align with Your Strengths: Choosing a post-secondary program is often a step that involves flexibility and freedom. Focus on school programs that leverage your unique strengths. Choose fields that complement your talents, such as graphic design for creative individuals and mathematics for analytic thinkers.
Manage Sensory Overload: Use positive affirmations to bolster confidence and manage sensory triggers in non-accommodating environments.
Spend Time Unmasked: Many neurodivergent individuals may spend time masking or hiding their neurodivergent traits at school to avoid being an outcast. Avoid the exhaustion of masking your neurodivergent traits by seeking spaces where you can be yourself.
Create a Dedicated Study Space: Create a clutter-free space tailored to your sensory needs, such as using visual aids, fidget tools, and calendars to stay organized. Use Lofi music for focus as you study.
Pursue Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy and Coaching: Seek professional therapy or coaching that will support both your challenges and strengths in an educational setting.
Book a Free Consultation With Blue Sky Learning
The Blue Sky Learning team members value compassion, empathy, and a person-centered approach to care. Are you a neurodivergent individual or a parent seeking academic coaching or therapy?
Or perhaps you are an educator looking to foster a more neurodiversity-affirming environment?
Book a free 20-minute consultation with one of Blue Sky Learning's team members by emailing hello@blueskylearning.ca or following the link below.