The Government’s recently released Every Child Achieving and Thriving paper has thrust the existing SEND system into the spotlight. And rightfully so. It has long been documented that the current system for supporting children with different needs is no longer working and reforms are needed to better support neurodiverse children in education.
The paper sets out plans to replace EHCP’s with ISP’s, Individual Support Plans, for children at school. This is key; support for children should be as individual as they are. As a psychologist who specialises in helping schools and families support neurodiverse children with autism and ADHD, I welcome all measures that will enable these children to thrive.
The reforms will take time to come into play and in the meantime there are a number of measures that teachers and parents can help implement to support neurodiverse children, helping them feel more supported and ensuring their learning styles are nurtured in the way they should be.
Early assessment
Getting an early diagnosis for a child you suspect has neurodivergent traits can be beneficial for those who can access it. Speak to the school or education setting about starting the assessment process if you suspect your child might be showing some neurodiverse tendencies. Early identification is one of the most important ways to support neurodiverse children effectively.
Also remember that it’s not always easy to tell and some traits don’t start to show up until the child starts to develop through primary school, and even beyond.
Educating educators
The fact that children have different learning styles is not new and we must be careful not to fall into the trap of a one size fits all approach. Each child has their own unique learning style and it’s about finding the way that works best for them. Practical training modules can be delivered for teachers to help build their knowledge and skillset so they can better support neurodiverse children in the classroom.
Finding inclusive education practices
It’s really important that neurodivergent children are not made to feel any differentiation or stigma. Educators need to find ways of including all children in their learning. Inclusive teaching strategies can play an important role in helping teachers support neurodiverse children while benefiting the whole classroom.
This might include introducing more sensory-friendly tactics and offering different learning options for children to choose from.
Collaborate and communicate
It’s important that the school and parents find ways to collaborate and communicate to build a partnership that works both ways and benefits the child. Strong communication between home and school can make a significant difference when trying to support neurodiverse children.
This includes communicating around behaviour and learning. It might also involve other specialists such as speech therapists or psychologists working together with the child’s best interests at heart.
Utilise technology tools
There are lots of apps and online tools that can help a child explore different ways of learning beyond traditional methods. These can support reading, writing and concentration both inside and outside of school, helping parents and teachers support neurodiverse children more effectively.
There are also online timetable apps that can help anyone struggling with organisation. Sensory aids and adaptive equipment can also be very beneficial.
Support any transitions
This might include big transitions such as moving from primary to secondary school. Children need to be supported to help navigate the change such as building resilience and understanding their new environment. Preparing children for these changes can make transitions easier and help adults support neurodiverse children during potentially stressful periods.
Neurodivergent children might need more visits to their new setting to familiarise themselves and help with anxieties. We must also be mindful that smaller transitions which might not seem significant to us can feel very big to a child.
Things like going on holiday or having time off school can disrupt routine and feel unsettling for some children, so these moments should be managed carefully.
Prioritise mental health
Heightened anxiety, sensory overload and burnout can leave neurodivergent children feeling mentally exhausted. Being aware of these challenges is important when trying to support neurodiverse children both at school and at home.
Be mindful of how certain factors impact your child’s mood and put strategies in place to try and catch these before they escalate into bigger issues. Work with your child on self-regulation strategies that help them find tools to bring themselves back to a calm state.
This can involve deep breathing techniques or taking time in a quiet space.
Advocate
We must all advocate for our children and help turn the dial in how we talk about neurodivergence. Advocacy plays an important role in creating a world that better understands and supports neurodiverse children.
We are getting better, but more needs to be done. We need more people to speak out, encourage representation and build greater awareness so conversations around neurodiversity become more normalised.
A combination of support both at home and at school will enable neurodivergent children to find the tools and strategies they need to thrive in life.
There is no denying that teachers are under enormous pressure to do more with fewer resources in schools. While we wait for the new measures to come into play, we must continue to find practical ways to support neurodiverse children so they can build the skills they need and flourish.
