WELLBEING TEAM

Neurodiversity Week!

We’re Celebrating Neurodiversity Week!

Our school is celebrating Neurodiversity Week soon (March 16 to 20). This week is an occasion to recognize and celebrate the many various ways in which people think, learn and experience the world around them.

Simply put, neurodiversity is just a term for how everyone’s brains work a little bit differently. While some people find it very easy to read, other people excel at finding solutions to problems or at thinking creatively. Some people enjoy participating in large groups of people to interact socially; while others prefer to spend their time in quieter areas when they need to focus.

While neurodiversity does include individuals with certain conditions (such as those with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and Tourette syndrome), it also includes ALL of us. Like all brains, each person has their own set of strengths and challenges.

Neurodiversity Week encourages us to remember the diversity of how people think is a natural part of being human. Just as people have varying personalities, talents and hobbies, everyone has different ways of learning and processing information.

Several famous inventors, artists, scientists and entrepreneurs are thought to have been neurodivergent. Because of their individual ways of thinking, they were able to see patterns, solve problems and develop new ideas which have changed the course of history.  These are people like Isaac Newton, Leonardo da Vinci, Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Greta Thunberg, the latter describing her ASD as her “superpower.”

Recognizing neurodiversity at school helps us build a more inclusive and supportive school community. Neurodivergent students may require adjustments to assist with their learning (for example, additional time to complete assignments, clear step-by-step instruction, a quiet area to work in, help with being organized at school and or engaging with others). By providing these adjustments, these students have the best possible opportunity to fully participate in their learning.

However, Neurodiversity Week is not just about understanding challenges. It’s also a chance for us to celebrate all the wonderful things about being neurodivergent: things like creativity, focused attention, integrity, determination, excellent memory and innovative problem-solving abilities.

Over the course of the week, our school will encourage students to learn more about neurodiversity, understand different learning styles and think about the different ways how we can all support one another.

Small actions can make a big difference. When you are patient, listen attentively, include everyone in your activities and appreciate the diversity within our community, you contribute to creating an environment to ensure all people feel valued and understood.

Neurodiversity Week is a reminder that there is no single ‘right’ way to think or learn. Our differences are part of what makes our school strong.  When we all understand and respect different ways of thinking, we create a school where every student has the opportunity to succeed.