24/03/2022
What do we mean by ‘neurodivergent needs’?
What is neurodiversity?
‘The neurodiversity movement advocates the idea that our brains are different and that everyone (whether neurotypical or neurodivergent) should be treated equally… The label of “neurodivergent” originally focused on those who are autistic. However, in more recent years it has been used to describe those who think, behave, and learn differently to what is typical in society. Being neurodivergent should not be considered an inherent deficit but simply a difference in processing the world around us.’
University of Glasgow
At The Keystone Academy, we believe that everyone is unique and as a result we recognise that we all learn and experience the world in different ways, depending upon many things. This can include things such as:
-Our experiences (past and present)
-Our interests
-Our special educational needs and/or disabilities
-The way our brain responds to different types of information
-The way our brain processes information
-The way we think and learn
We recognise that some neurodivergence can cause anxiety and challenges with social skills and aspects of emotional and mental health. This is why Keystone is a specialist school for SEMH.
Different terms, commonly used:
Neurodiversity – Not all brains think or feel in the same way. We are all different, with neurological differences that influence how we experience the world around us (as above).
Neurodivergent – This refers to individuals with less typical development and intellectual / functioning, with neurological differences that influence the way they think, feel and behave in society. Examples include Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia.
Neurotypical – This refers to individuals with typical development and intellectual / cognitive functioning.
Some examples of neurodivergence are featured in the below picture (image taken from: addressingdyslexia.org).
Some people can experience more than one neurodivergent quality (such as ASD and ADHD) which can therefore have a greater impact on them. At The Keystone Academy, we aim to help all of our learners recognise their differences as strengths and to build their confidence to learn and enjoy school in a way that is tailored to their learning preferences and needs.
