Guest Post: The Awe of Neurodiversity

Image: https://federatedhealth.ca/2024/03/09/neurodiversity/

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Picture yourself thousands of years ago, living in a world governed by the forces of nature. You are part of a group of humans who all think in similar ways—methodical, detail-oriented, motivated, and focused. On the other side of the mountain, there’s another group of humans who are strikingly different. Their minds are wired in various ways—one is hypersensitive to sensory feedback, another is hearing impaired but has exceptional vision. One person has ADHD and thrives on creativity, while others show unique patterns of neurodivergence.

Now imagine a predator approaching. Which group is more likely to survive?

In this scenario, it’s the group with diversity in thought, experience, and sensory processing that has the advantage. They combine their unique strengths and perspectives to adapt, innovate, and outmaneuver the predator. Neurodiversity is not just a modern concept but a fundamental survival trait of humanity. It is the source of our creativity, adaptability, and resilience.

As Andrew Pfeiffer aptly said, “If you’ve met one neurodivergent person, you’ve met one neurodivergent person.” Every individual with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or any other form of neurodivergence is unique. They are not defined by a diagnosis but by their own strengths, and gifts, and each person brings value to a community. 

Today, approximately one in six people is neurodivergent, and organizations worldwide are starting to realize the immense value of embracing neurodiverse teams. Companies that actively employ neurodivergent individuals consistently report stronger innovation, more thorough problem-solving, and more dynamic team interactions. By not tapping into the potential of neurodivergent individuals, schools and businesses alike miss out on a wealth of creativity, fresh perspectives, and untapped potential.

But how are international schools approaching neurodiversity? Are they embracing this beauty and strength, or are they overlooking the opportunities to foster environments where all students can thrive?

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Tips for Fostering the Awe of Neurodiversity in Schools:

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1. Start with strengths. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or administrator, the most powerful approach to supporting neurodiverse students begins with focusing on their strengths. Each child has unique talents and self-identified strengths. When we highlight these, we help students build confidence and a foundation for further growth.
2. Look beyond the diagnosis. Diagnoses like ADHD or autism don’t present in the same way for every individual. A student’s diagnosis is just one aspect of who they are. By getting to know each student's unique profile—their strengths, challenges, passions, and needs—we can design learning experiences that are individualized and highly effective.
3. Encourage exploration and creativity. Neurodiversity shines when students are given space to explore, innovate, and express their creativity. As educators, administrators, and parents, allowing children to pursue their passions unlocks their true potential. When we give students the freedom to create and think outside the box, we witness the incredible power and beauty of neurodiverse minds.

By embracing neurodiversity, we create richer, more inclusive learning environments that celebrate differences and prepare students to thrive in a complex world. Let us not only support neurodivergent students but stand in awe of the incredible ways they enrich our schools, our communities, and our future.

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Lauren's Bio

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Lauren Jones is an educational consultant specializing in inclusion and leadership, currently based in Kigali, Rwanda. She is the previous Director of the International School of Kigali where she developed a comprehensive special education program, along with implementing unique programs to promote connection to the local culture and context. Lauren is passionate about supporting schools in developing more equitable and accessible programming and cultures. You can find Lauren on LinkedIn and at her website. 

Sources

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TEDTalks: Andrew Pfeiffer: Neurodiversity: The Untapped Competitive Advantage: https://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_pfeiffer_neurodiversity_the_untapped_competitive_advantage?subtitle=en

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APA.org: Daniel Wendler: Strength in Neurodiversity: https://www.apa.org/members/content/neurodiversity

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Positive Psychology: Neurodiversity in the Workplace: A strength based approach: https://positivepsychology.com/neurodiversity-in-the-workplace/

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The Education Hub: Julie Skelling: Neurodiversity: A strengths-based approach to teaching diverse learners https://theeducationhub.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Neurodiversity-A-strengths-based-approach-to-teaching-diverse-learners.pdf

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