Diverse Minds, Great Futures
Embracing neurodiversity in our school
In March, our school participated in Neurodiversity Celebration Week to foster understanding and appreciation for diverse ways of experiencing the world (learn about the topics discussed). Students embraced the understanding that there's no one "right" way of thinking, learning, or behaving and were introduced to successful neurodiverse individuals whose unique attributes contributed to their achievements. This served as inspiration and reinforcement of the value of embracing diversity.
How Common is Neurodiversity?
1 in 5 children in the US has a learning or thinking difference, such as ADHD or Dyslexia.
About 20% of school-age children have dyslexia.
1 in 27 boys is diagnosed with Autism or ASD.
About 6% of children meet the criteria for giftedness, with many gifted children having additional learning differences, known as twice-exceptional (2e) individuals.
Note: 2/3 of children with a learning or thinking difference diagnosis are boys (as assigned at birth), but it's essential to recognize that girls may exhibit traits differently or be better at masking them and are thought to be significantly under-identified.
Three Ways We Support Neurodiverse Learners
Neurodiverse learners require the same foundational skills as their peers but sometimes benefit from alternative approaches to learning and teaching. Given the prevalence of neurodiversity, there is a moral imperative for schools to evolve with effective support strategies. Here are some ways we're addressing this:
Tailored Support: Our society was largely designed by/for neurotypical people. While we work toward inclusivity on a larger scale, we also provide neurodiverse learners with strategies for effectively navigating school.
Parenting Workshops: Our workshops address the unique challenges faced by neurodiverse learners, offering practical support for families.
Understanding Differences: For example, dyslexic students process information differently, which can lead to challenges in filtering distractions or developing reading/writing skills. While these students often need outside support, strengthening executive functioning can reduce obstacles as one piece of the learning puzzle.
Tips to Help Neurodiverse Learners
At Our School
We continually analyze our community and educational research to evolve to meet students' needs.
We invest heavily in professional development to support neurodiverse learners effectively.
We recognize the statistics mentioned represent only children with a formal diagnosis. Regardless of diagnosis, many children can benefit from strategies tailored to neurodiverse learners.
When we identify an area of need, we work with families immediately and guide them to options for early intervention.
What Families Should Know
Investing in private school doesn't necessarily ensure a struggle-free experience, but our tools and assessments may detect learning differences earlier than traditional schools.
Attend our workshops. They intentionally include tools to support neurodiverse learners.
Take advantage of your child's Student-Led Conferences (SLCs) to collaborate on goals, ensure continuous growth, and triangulate your child's self-concept.
We encourage you to be open if the school suggests some further screening.
