Navigating Neurodiversity

The European Agency on the Development of Special Needs Education (EADSNE) (2006) highlighted individual differences as one of the largest challenges faced by teachers in mainstream schools not only in the UK but across Europe. Teacher training and preparation to support neurodiverse pupils within a mainstream setting has failed to keep up with the changes within the field of inclusion leaving teachers ill equipped to achieve true inclusivity within their classroom. The most recent study of mainstream teachers within the West Midlands highlighted that less than 29% of teachers felt confident to support the neurodiverse pupils within their class with 17% unsure of the meaning of Neurodiversity. Navigating Neurodiversity provides hands-on training and support for mainstream schools to improve teacher confidence when supporting the neurodiverse pupils within their classroom. To provide advice and guidance of ensuring barriers to learning within the classroom/school are permanently removed and providing ongoing intervention and support strategies, including de-escalation techniques to provide and happy, safe and inclusive environment which best supports learning for all pupils. We also work with leadership team, including SENCo, providing support, advice, planning and assessment documentation throughout the EHCP application process to ensure a successful outcome is achieved with maximum support gained for learners with SEN. Book Now What is Neurodiversity? Neurodiversity is the term to show the diverse way of the way the brain functions, specifically the range of ways in which we learn, think and relate to others (Honeybourne 2018). The neurodiversity paradigm argues that there is not one ‘normal’ way in which the brain functions. Originating within the study of autism to show that there was no ‘norm’ with regard to learning and social interaction and that autism was not a disorder, neurodiversity is now the term used to include all perceived neurological differences including dyscalculia, dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and Tourette syndrome and supports the theory that no set way of neurocognitive functioning is more important/normal than the other and that differences in learning should be supported and embraced.