Neurodiversity and Special Learning Resources

Learn About Canadian Disability Rights:

While Canada seeks to reduce barriers and increase opportunities for people with disabilities, it is important that we all strive to ensure their full participation in our society. Learn more about Canadian Disability rights here:

https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/rights-people-disabilities.html

What Is Neurodiversity?

The current concept of neurodiversity has a basis in science. We know from brain-imaging studies that there are some differences between kids with learning and thinking differences and their peers. Those differences appear in how the brain is “wired” and how it functions to support thinking and learning.

These findings can explain the source of difficulty for many kids with learning and thinking differences. But the neurodiversity view is that brain differences are normal. And kids who have them are as mainstream as those who don’t have them.

Where Neurodiversity Began

Judy Singer came up with the term neurodiversity in the late 1990s. Singer, a sociologist on the autism spectrum, rejected the idea that people with autism were disabled.

Singer believed their brains simply worked differently from other people’s. The term was quickly embraced by activists in the autism community and beyond. Advocates have used it to fight stigma and promote inclusion in schools and in the workplace.

The movement emphasizes that the goal shouldn’t be to “cure” people whose brain works differently. The goal is to embrace them as part of the mainstream. And that means providing needed support so they can fully participate as members of the community.

Neurodiversity and Learning and Thinking Differences

The concept that people are naturally diverse learners is important for kids with learning and thinking differences. It can reduce stigma and the feeling that something is “wrong” with them. And that can help build confidence, self-esteem, motivation and resilience.

It also supports teaching approaches that can benefit kids with learning and thinking differences. UDL, for instance, shares many of the principles of neurodiversity.

UDL recognizes that there’s a wide range of students with a wide range of abilities. It uses a variety of teaching strategies to remove barriers to learning. The goal is to give all students, of all abilities, equal opportunities to succeed.

Differences vs. Disabilities

Celebrating differences is important. But it isn’t enough to get kids with learning and thinking differences the help they need at school. It’s important to acknowledge disabilities in order for kids to get supports and services.

Kids can’t receive special education without having an identified disability. And without a disability label, they won’t be protected by special education law.

Acknowledging disabilities has other benefits, too:

  • It makes it less likely that kids with learning and thinking differences will be overlooked or fall through the cracks in school.

  • It makes it clear they have challenges that require support.

  • It encourages research funding for these issues.




Information From Understood.org