Neurodiversity-Affirming Ways To Get To Know Your Students

Transcript

 It's the start of the new school year, and if you want to build strong relationships with your neurodivergent students, those traditional tell me something about yourself circle time activities often backfire. Forced eye contact, public speaking, quick processing demands, those can all be very overwhelming. But here are three neurodiversity affirming ways for you to get to know your students better.

First, you can hold something called a special interest showcase. Autistic and ADHD students often have deep, intense passions. Give them a choice. Let them draw or write about it, submit a playlist, build a 3-D model, or even film a quick video about something they love.When you validate their interests early, you build instant trust.

Secondly, you can try creating like a survey, "Things I wish my teacher knew.," so you can ask simple, private questions like: Do you prefer written or verbal feedback? What sounds or lights bother you in class? How do you like to show that you're listening? This gives you crucial self-advocacy data while respecting their personal boundaries.

And third, you could have students create something like their own user manual. Have them fill out a simple template with three prompts: What helps me focus? What overwhelms me? And what to do when I'm stressed? It shifts the focus from behavior management to collaborative support.

So by providing these asynchronous low pressure ways to share, you learn how your student's minds work best without putting them on the spot. And these are great back to school activities for all of your students, not just the neurodivergent ones. Try these out let us know how they worked and have a great school year!

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