Georgina Durrant is Twinkl’s National Inclusion Lead, responsible for driving inclusion across the organisation. With a background as a qualified teacher and SENDCO, Georgina is deeply committed to supporting the needs of students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Read more about Georgina here.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is such an important reminder for us as teachers. It’s a vital opportunity to embrace and celebrate the incredible, unique ways our students’ brains work. You could argue it’s more than just a celebration – it’s a movement. A movement to break down stereotypes, highlight strengths, and begin to create classrooms where every student, whether neurodivergent or neurotypical, feels they can truly thrive.
Neurodiversity refers to the idea that brain differences – such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia for example – are natural variations of the human mind. These differences are not deficits to be “fixed” but just part of human diversity. As teachers, it’s our role to unlock the potential in every student by seeing their strengths, not just their challenges.
How We Can Build Inclusive Classrooms
Creating an environment where all students feel supported starts with understanding. Consider how neurodivergent students perceive and navigate the world. That knowledge helps us adapt our teaching to meet their needs. It could be as simple as introducing flexible seating, offering sensory tools, or setting up a quiet space for students who experience sensory overload or emotional dysregulation.
It’s also vital that we talk about neurodiversity openly with all our students. Encouraging empathy and understanding helps towards building an inclusive culture and ethos in school and beyond. Think about sharing stories or organising activities that celebrate famous neurodivergent figures – like Greta Thunberg – to show how thinking differently can make a world-changing impact.
Celebrating Strengths, Not Challenges
Every student brings their own unique talents to the classroom, and this is especially true for neurodivergent learners. They might excel in areas like creativity, problem-solving, or innovation. Neurodiversity Celebration Week is the perfect time to showcase and celebrate those strengths. When we shine a spotlight on what they’re good at, we’re not just building their confidence – we’re helping to break down stigma, too.
Creating environments that are inclusive of all sends an important message: every student matters and every student deserves to feel valued and understood. When they do, they thrive – not just academically, but personally too.
Learning Is for Teachers, Too
This week isn’t just about students – it’s about us, too. It’s a great opportunity to grow as teachers. Whether it’s reading an article/book, watching a webinar, or even chatting with parents, there’s always more to learn about supporting neurodivergent learners. The more we know, the better we can create the kind of classroom where everyone can thrive and succeed.
Let’s use this week to remind ourselves why we chose to be teachers – to make a difference. By embracing neurodiversity, we can empower our students and enrich our own perspectives along the way.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a great time to reflect on how we can support all learners. See how Educake can help your students thrive – explore our resources here!
