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Neurodiversity Toolkit

Neurodiversity Toolkit

Toolkit collated by Catrina Lowri

What Is Neurodiversity?

The word ‘neurodiversity’ is an umbrella term to describe a large range or hereditary and acquired conditions that cause differences in brain development. The term was first used by the sociologist, Judy Singer. Singer wanted to move away from the medical model of brain differences in conditions such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia and replace this with a social construct. Through her diligent, peer reviewed research, she hoped to move the focus away from the idea of deficit and disorder and bring it, instead towards strengths and needs. Singer believed that this would create a better understanding of the range of conditions and eventually lead to greater acceptance.

Although originally the term only included characteristics of autism and ADHD, the social construct is now used to describe:

  • All hereditary conditions which cause a difference in neurology
  • All hereditary mental health conditions
  • All acquired neurological difference such as those caused by injury

Singer, however was keen that the term she first coined should ‘include all of humanity, not just the neuroatypical’ … ‘as a banner for a new social movement of neurominorities to argue that just as biodiversity is necessary for a flourishing ecosystem, so ND is for a flourishing society.

The most common forms of neurodiversity are:
  • Dyslexia (approximately 1/7 people)
  • Dyspraxia/ Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (1/10)
  • Dyscalculia (1/10)
  • Attention Deficit, Hyperactivity Disorder (1/20)
  • Autism (1/28)
  • Developmental Language Disorder (1/7)

It is estimated that as many as 1/5 people have at least one neurodivergent condition. Around 70 percent of ND people have 2 or more conditions.

Neurodivergent people may have the following needs:
  • Sensory processing difference
  • Speech delay
  • Processing issue
  • Executive functioning difference
  • Perceptive difference
  • Low self esteem
Neurodivergent people may have the following strengths:
  • Creativity
  • Empathy
  • Hyperfocus
  • Persistence
  • Vision
  • Imagination

The Diverse Educators’ Neurodiversity Toolkit

We are collating a growing bank of resources to help you to understand neurodiversity. Here are some questions to reflect on:
  • What are hidden disabilities?
  • What is neurodivergence?
  • What are the strengths and needs of neurodivergent people?
  • What are the differences in the brain and how does this effect neurodivergent people?
  • How common is neurodiversity?
  • How might neurodiversity effect learning?
  • What does this mean for neurodiversity in working life?

Articles

The British Psychological Society – Neurodiversity - Affirmative Education: Why and How?

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Entrepreneur – How Leaders Can Support and Embrace the Untapped Potential of Neurodiverse Talent

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Gary P Pisano – Harvard Business School – Neurodiversity as a Competitive Advantage

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Gemma Corby – The TES – What Is Neurodiversity and What Should Schools Be Doing?

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John Robison – Ability Magazine – Neurodiversity in the Real World

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Judy Singer – Geniuswithin There’s a Lot in a Name, Diveristy vs Divergence

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Paul Main – Neurodiversity in the Classroom

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Thomas Armstrong PHD – AMA Journal of Ethics –The Myth of Normal Brain; Embracing Neurodiversity

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Blogs

Catrina Lowri – My Experience as a Neurodivergent Teacher

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Catrina Lowri – Five Easy Steps to Hiring a Neurodivergent Educator

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Jackie Edry – The Gift of Neurodiversity

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James Galpin – Affirming the Inherent Differences that Unite Us All

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Rose Edelstein – Cultural Learning and Cultural Understanding, a Different Way of Thinking about Neurodiversity

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Sally Nilsson – Helping People along Their Neurodiverse Journeys

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Podcasts

Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra – in it – What is Neurodiversity?

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Emily Kircher-Morris and Dr Barry Prizant – The Neurodiversity Podcast

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Fintan O’Regan – ‘SENDcast’ Neurodiversity in Schools – a Whole School Approach

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Georgina Durrant and Catrina Lowri – ‘SEND in the Experts’  – Anxious Non Attenders

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Georgina Durrant and Lizzie Acker – ‘SEND in the Experts’ – Celebrating Neurodiversity

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Georgina Durrant and Sue Atkins – ‘SEND in the Experts' – Mental Health and Wellbeing

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Resources

ADHD Foundation

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Autism Education Trust

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British Dyslexia Association

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Dyscalculia.org

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Dyspraxia Foundation

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Exceptional Individuals

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I Can – Resources for Developmental Language Disorder

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TED Talks

Cyntia Coupe – Neurodiversity – The New Normal

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Elaine Halligan – Neurodiversity Is a Superpower Not a Problem

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Elisabeth Wiklander – Neurodiversity – The Key that Unlocked My World

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Jay Pierce – Understanding Neurodiversity

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Kate Griggs – The Creative Brilliance of Dyslexia

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Martha Barnard-Rae – ADHD in Women and Girls

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Temple Grandin – The World Needs All Kinds of Minds

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Videos

Autistamatic – What Is Neurodiversity?

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British Neuroscience Association – Sue Fletcher Watson – Neurodiveristy

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CBC News – School Helps Fidgety Children with Exercises in Its Sensory Hallways

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Neurodiversity Stories, Darren Clarke and Catrina Lowri – Why It’s Important That All Teacher's Have an Understanding of Neurodiversity

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2 Minute Do It – with Judy Singer

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2 Minute Do It – with Dr Tony Lloyd – What’s Important to Me

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