Celebrating Neurodiversity 

Celebrating neurodiversity

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is from Monday 16th to 20th March, and Autism Acceptance Month is in April. These are great opportunities to celebrate the strengths of our autistic students and other diverse learners; recognise challenges they may face and learn more about how we can support them.

Our school is committed to understanding, including and celebrating our diverse learners and value the contribution they and their families make to our school.

About Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that celebrates the strengths and talents of people who think and learn differently. It also reminds us of the importance of being kind, accepting and inclusive of everyone. 

About one in 5 children has variations in their brain development. These variations include those seen in autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and dyscalculia. These children can be described as ‘diverse’ learners. 

Autism Acceptance Month 

Autism Acceptance Month in April is a chance to celebrate, support and include autistic students. 

To mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week and Autism Acceptance Month, we would like to share some resources that support inclusion that have been developed for the Department of Education by autistic-led organisations and lead researchers in autism and neurodiversity:

• I CAN Education has tips for becoming a champion for neurodivergent students and a graphic novel to help students navigate high school
• Yellow Ladybugs’ All Brains are Different program introduces the concept of neurodiversity in an affirming way
• AllPlay Learn’s Inclusive School Communities: Monash University’s AllPlay Learn team has developed resources on how to create inclusive school communities where everyone feels welcome and supported
• Amaze has produced videos and fact sheets for parents on how to include families of autistic children
• Positive Partnerships runs webinars and has practical tools and information sheets to support autistic students.

More support for autistic students 

The department has established the Diverse Learners Hub to meet the needs of diverse learners. The hub provides evidence-based advice and resources on best-practice inclusive teaching practices for supporting autistic students and other diverse learners.

Regards, 

Ryan Baltetsch

Inclusive Practices Learning Specialist