Wednesday . Altogether , nine Senior School staff members and 13 Junior School staff members participated in the sessions co-facilitated by Ms Eady and Rae Morris every four weeks throughout the school year .
Together , they considered various perspectives , information , and opportunities for reflection and discussion relevant to educators of neurodivergent students in the school environment . “ Rae talks us through the support options ; she would recommend specific questions we should be asking students — resources and services that students could benefit from ,” Ms Eady explained .
Discussion topics included language and terminology , an overview of various neurodivergent diagnoses , mental health , identity , and applying the neurodiversity approach in the CHS setting .
What are the next steps in the School ’ s journey around neurodiversity ?
Considering how to make physical resources and supports more accessible in the classroom for neurodiverse students .
“ If our students know how they learn , can we have a bunch of noise-cancelling headphones in the classroom and a couple of different wobble stools , so the students can just go and access what they need when they need it ? Or if a student writes better while listening to music — can they ask the teacher for that ?” Ms Eady said . “ I think it ’ s a combination of students knowing what they need and then asking for it . And the teacher being understanding enough of neurodiversity to allow that to happen .”
RESOURCES
Book : Autism in Heels , by Jennifer Cook O ’ Toole
Book : Mindful Parenting for ADHD , by Mark Bertin
Book : The Queen of Distraction , by Terry Matlen
Podcast : The Neurodiversity Podcast , with Emily Kircher-Morris
YouTube : “ How to ADHD ”, by Jessica McCabe
Resource : Gifted Children ’ s Association of BC www . giftedchildrenbc . org
Private Assessments : Westcoast Child Development Group www . childdevelopmentgroup . com / services / assessment
Programs and Services : Canucks Autism Network www . canucksautism . ca
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