Session Overview
Neurodivergent-Friendly Schools: From Inclusion to Belonging
A neurodivergent-friendly school is simply a people-friendly school. The adjustments that help neurodivergent students thrive (clearer communication, calmer environments, more predictable routines) benefit everyone. This session explores six foundations for creating schools where neurodivergent learners genuinely belong: clarity and consistency, meeting sensory needs, supporting executive function, expanding communication, building on strengths, and welcoming neurodivergent adults. You don’t need to transform everything overnight. One small change in each area adds up to meaningful difference.
Learning outcomes:
- Understand why neurodivergent-friendly approaches benefit all learners
- Explore six foundations for creating genuinely inclusive school environments
- Identify practical strategies for reducing sensory overwhelm, supporting executive function, and expanding accepted forms of communication
- Recognise how to notice and build on neurodivergent strengths
- Consider how to welcome neurodivergent parents, carers, and staff
- Leave with one actionable change you can make in each foundation area
Resources
These downloadable resources support the foundations covered in this session.
- Neurodivergent-Friendly School Action Plan – A practical planning tool that maps to the six foundations, helping you assess where you are now and identify clear next steps using a stop/start/build/grow framework.
- Task Planner – Supports students who struggle with planning and organisation to break tasks into manageable steps, particularly helpful for autistic students and those with ADHD who have brilliant ideas but get stuck on where to start.
- Comfort Audit – A sensory audit tool to help you notice what your classroom actually feels like from your students’ perspective, usable as a solo reflection, collaboratively with students, or as a peer audit with colleagues.
- Check-In Cards for Non-Verbal Communication – Visual cards using a traffic light system that give students a non-verbal way to communicate how they’re feeling or what they need, reducing the pressure of having to find words in overwhelming moments.
- Neuroaffirmative Feedback: A Quick Guide – Practical guidance for delivering feedback in ways that support neurodivergent individuals to thrive, with do’s and don’ts, a strengths-based framework, and examples for both workplace and classroom settings.
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