Neurodiversity is a term that is used frequently at present and refers to the different ways a person’s brain processes information. In terms of considering neurodiversity in schools, it is important that staff are aware of neurodiverse needs as well as up to date on the general and specific strategies that are helpful in supporting children with these needs. In our training course on Supporting Neurodiverse Needs, we focus on the following areas:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC)
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
ADHD
ADHD is more commonly diagnosed in males than in females, however as girls experience ADHD in very different ways to boys, their symptoms can go under the radar leading to fewer diagnoses. It is likely that ADHD is equally common across boys and girls. Research suggests that ADHD has a biological element but is also related to environmental factors such as social factors and trauma. ADHD mainly impacts executive functioning, which is the management system of the brain. ADHD also has its strengths: it allows hyper-focus on areas of interest; it can lead to high levels of creativity; and children with ADHD often have relentless energy and optimism.
ODD
ODD is a persistent pattern of anger, irritability, arguing, defiance or vindictiveness. ODD normally surfaces in the pre-school years and can cause significant impact on family, social activities, school and work. All children may display this sort of behaviour from time to time, but the severity and duration will be key in a diagnosis of ODD.
ASC
Autistic Spectrum Conditions, are, you guessed it, on a spectrum! This means that individuals with ASC may present very differently to each other. There are a vast range of differences in presentation, strengths, needs, and barriers to learning and socialising. ASC tend to affect social interaction, communication, and imagination, but as aforementioned, this can be very different across individuals. ASC is a neurodevelopmental disorder, and similarly to ADHD, is more commonly diagnosed in males compared to females. This is likely to due to the differences in presentation in girls compared to boys; as with ADHD, girls with ASC tend to ‘fly under the radar’.
In our training course, we offer adults in educational settings an introduction to neurodiversity in schools as well as general and specific strategies to support those with neurodiverse needs (ADHD, ASC and ODD). It is written and delivered by Dr. Eleanor Tomlinson, an Educational Psychologist.
