Neurodivergent-Friendly Classrooms

In this episode, Clare is joined by Dr Pooky Knightsmith to discuss how practitioners can create neurodivergent-friendly classrooms.

They talk about how masking can affect children, young people, and staff members’ mental health, and identify some of the challenges presented by a typical school environment. They explore a range of practical strategies for adapting classrooms, communication style and expectations, to meet the needs of neurodivergent learners.

Dr Pooky Knightsmith is an autistic speaker, author, autism assessor, and educator who works across education and health settings in the UK and internationally. She holds a PhD in Psychological Medicine and supports professionals to better understand and include autistic and ADHD learners and colleagues.

Find out more about Pooky’s work here, and take a look at her new book, 10 Steps to a Neurodivergent-Friendly Classroom.

Pooky leaves us with 3 top tips in the episode:

• Aim for small, sustainable tweaks, as these can often be enough to make a real difference.
• Be aware of the possible overlap of behaviour and neurodivergence. A child or young person who may appear defiant may be struggling to communicate what they need.
• Always be curious and look for a student’s strengths. Celebrate these and seek to find out more about their interests.

The Team Teach podcast shares the latest thinking in behaviour, all in handy 15-minute (ish) bite-sized chunks. Each episode features a new guest chatting about a different aspect of behaviour and leaves you with three handy tips to use in your setting.

Find out how Team Teach can help your organisation.

The Team Teach podcast is created in the UK, adhering to UK law and guidance. Practitioners should exercise their professional judgment to determine the appropriateness of any Team Teach material for their specific sector and geographic region, and be aware of the applicable laws and guidelines governing their organisation.