What is something you wish your teacher prep courses better prepared you for?
In this video, Becky Thal explains that she wishes she learned more about neurodivergence - such as what sensory overload and dysregulation look like - in her teacher prep courses and how to best support neurodivergent students in her class.
Transcript
So one thing I really wish my teacher prep classes had prepared me better for was how to support neurodivergent students in classrooms. We spent a lot of time learning about behavior management and lesson planning and standardized instruction, but not nearly enough time understanding things like sensory overload or executive functioning struggles, masking, or what dysregulation actually looks like in students.
I wish someone had told me that a student refusing to work might actually just be doing that because they're feeling overwhelmed. That eye contact isn't the same as engagement, and that accommodations aren't giving unfair advantages, they're giving access. But most importantly, I wish we had learned more how to build flexible classrooms instead of expecting every student to fit into one rigid system.
Because supporting neurodivergent students isn't about fixing kids. It's about understanding them well enough to remove barriers so they can actually learn, participate, and feel safe at school.
Follow us @socialcipher on TikTok and YouTube for more educator-focused videos about neurodivergence!
Key Takeaways
- Teacher preparation programs typically focus on behavior management and standardized instruction while leaving out the practical knowledge educators need to support students experiencing sensory overload, executive functioning challenges, or dysregulation.
- Educators need to understand that refusing to work is frequently a sign of overwhelm, not defiance, eye contact is not a reliable engagement indicator, and accommodations provide access rather than unfair advantage.
- Supporting neurodivergent students is about building flexible classroom environments that remove the barriers preventing them from learning, participating, and feeling safe.
.png)
.png)
.png)
