Creating a neuro-inclusive environment at mainstream school

Dear Readers,

As we approach the start of summer in a few weeks, many parents will be preparing for their child to start their new school in September. For some parents of SEN students, this can be a worrying time, as not all students are allocated their first choice school. In my case, my parents and teachers had to find different ways to create a neurodiverse environment that I was comfortable in. In this week’s post, I will be sharing my experience in a mainstream setting, and what teachers did to make it as inclusive as possible for me.

Before starting primary school, I was visited at home by my new teacher so that I could interact with her beforehand and she could learn more about me and my needs. She brought a teddy with her which she gave to me and told me I could bring into school on the first day. We also went to visit my new classroom while there were still children inside so that I could see what it looked like and get used to the noise levels. We did these two things on separate days, to avoid me getting overwhelmed before the first day.

When I started my next school things were done a little bit differently, as I was older and didn’t need as much support. I met my teacher and visited my new classroom on the same day. I got to know some of my friends for the coming year. Later that summer we were contacted by my teacher with another idea. I was asked to give a PowerPoint presentation to my new classmates, to tell them things I would like them to know about me, to answer any questions they might have and show them some of the feeding equipment that I would be using. At first I was nervous about the idea of talking about my differences. But it turned out to be one of the best things I have ever done. People were very kind and understanding and I felt the experience helped to foster a more inclusive environment. I gave the presentation again a few years later when I changed class, and then again at the beginning of secondary school. Each time the presentation was a success. It helped the people around me understand what it would be like having a SEN person in the class, as many students had never known a neurodivergent student like me before. I also believe that this kind of openness and acceptance benefits everyone, not just people who have a difference.

Although many students will have significant needs that only SEN schools will be able to support, many neurodivergent students will still be able to learn and develop in a mainstream school with the right assistance. I was lucky in that people told me that they saw diversity as an asset and something that could enrich the school generally.

But before I go, I’m wondering if there is anything else that might help neurodivergent students in mainstream settings. So I would love to know, how did you help your child to prepare for school? What accommodations were put in place?

I hope you enjoyed this blog post, and I can’t wait to see you back next week!