Helping Neurodivergent Students in the Classroom

 Helping Neurodivergent Students in the Classroom

                by: Dr. Analisa L. Smith

Supporting neurodivergent students in the classroom involves creating inclusive, flexible learning environments that respect and accommodate differences in thinking, learning, and communication. Here’s a comprehensive guide that educators can use to help neurodivergent students thrive:

Understanding Neurodivergence  

Neurodivergence refers to variations in the human brain and cognition, including conditions such as:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Dysgraphia (Learning Disabilities [LD])

• Sensory Processing Disorder

• other assorted diagnoses

Each student may have unique strengths and challenges, and not all neurodivergent students have a diagnosis or outward signs.

Create a Supportive Environment

🌱 Build a Culture of Acceptance

• Normalize differences in learning and behavior.

• Use person-first or identity-first language as preferred by the student.

• Challenge stereotypes and foster empathy among peers.

🧩 Flexible Classroom Setup

• Offer sensory-friendly spaces or quiet corners.

• Allow for movement breaks and alternative seating (e.g., wobble stools, standing desks).

• Minimize overwhelming stimuli (bright lights, loud noises, clutter).

Adapt Teaching Methods

🔄 Differentiate Instruction

• Present information in multiple formats (visual, auditory, hands-on).

• Use clear, concise instructions and break tasks into steps.

• Offer visual schedules and written agendas.

🧠 Executive Function Support

• Teach organization skills explicitly (checklists, planners, time reminders).

• Provide extended time or alternate formats for assignments and tests.

• Use scaffolding to gradually build independence.

Foster Communication and Social Inclusion

🗣️ Communication Flexibility

• Accept communication methods like typing, pointing, drawing, or speech devices.

• Give processing time before expecting a response.

🤝 Promote Positive Peer Interactions

• Implement peer buddy systems.

• Teach social skills through modeling, role-play, or social stories (without forcing conformity).

Collaborate with Families and Specialists

• Maintain open, respectful communication with families.

• Coordinate with special educators, therapists, and support staff.

• Use IEP or 504 plans as guides—but go beyond them when possible.

Empower Student Voice and Choice

• Involve students in decisions about their learning and accommodations.

• Provide choices in how to demonstrate knowledge.

• Respect their sensory, emotional, and physical boundaries.

Ongoing Professional Development

• Educators should receive training in neurodiversity, trauma-informed practices, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

• Reflect on biases and be open to feedback from students and families.

Conclusion

Helping neurodivergent students isn’t about “fixing” them but about redesigning systems to fit all learners. Inclusion benefits every student by promoting empathy, flexibility, and innovation.

Guest Writer: Walking Into Your Power

 Walking Into Your Power: 

Real-World Moves to Build Confidence and Chase What Matters

Submitted by: Suzanne Tanner

It’s easy to get caught up in your own head. You set goals, imagine a better version of yourself, even dream about the life you want to lead—and then you get stuck. Confidence doesn’t magically appear when you need it. It’s a practice, built day by day, decision by decision, and it's the key that opens doors to the version of your life that actually feels fulfilling. If you're looking for ways to break through hesitation and start showing up for yourself, these steps aren't about instant fixes or fluffy self-talk. They're about real effort, the kind that stacks over time, giving you the momentum to start living like you mean it.

Audit Your Inner Voice 

You don’t need to be your own bully. Pay attention to the way you talk to yourself in quiet moments—when you mess up, when you’re alone with your thoughts, when you’re standing at the edge of a risk. If the voice in your head is harsh, cynical, or endlessly critical, it’s not helping you grow—it’s just building walls around your confidence. Start redirecting it. You don’t have to lie to yourself or fake positivity, but you do need to practice being fair, honest, and maybe even kind.

Let Small Wins Stack

Confidence doesn’t come from huge achievements. It builds when you keep promises to yourself, even the tiny ones nobody sees. Getting up when you said you would, finishing the task you’ve been avoiding, speaking up in a conversation—these moments teach your brain that you’re someone who shows up. And when they start stacking, they reinforce the belief that you’re capable of more than your doubt tells you. The big milestones feel less scary when you’re already proving it daily in small, meaningful ways.

Create a Goals Poster

Turning your ambitions into something you can physically see every day makes them harder to ignore and easier to chase. Creating a personalized poster that reflects your goals, mantras, or future self helps transform vague intentions into clear, motivating visuals. Hang it where you’ll see it each morning—it acts like a quiet coach, reminding you what you’re working toward even when motivation dips. To create your free poster to print, utilize an app that lets you build, customize, and print stunning, high-quality posters using professionally crafted templates and tools; click here.

Get Physically Uncomfortable on Purpose

There’s power in pushing your body just a little past comfort. You don’t have to run marathons or become a gym rat. But when you move—really move—you reconnect with your body in a way that clears out mental clutter. Cold showers, walks without your phone, doing something physically awkward or new—these things reset your nervous system and remind you that discomfort isn’t a threat. It’s actually where growth hides. The bonus? When you build physical grit, your mental game levels up with it.

Talk to Strangers (Yes, Really)

Confidence doesn’t live in isolation. If you want to grow it, you’ve got to exercise it socially. Make eye contact. Say hello. Ask a real question instead of defaulting to small talk. You’ll be surprised how often people welcome that kind of openness—and how good it feels to prove to yourself that you can handle real interaction. Social courage is like a muscle, and the more you use it, the less scary it becomes to speak your mind or ask for what you need.

Get Rid of the “When I’m Ready” Lie

Waiting to feel fully prepared is the trap that keeps most people stuck. Here’s the truth: you’ll probably never feel ready to take the leap. Whether it's starting a project, asking for a promotion, or moving to a new place, there’s always going to be fear. But if you make moves anyway, you teach yourself that fear doesn’t get to be the boss. Taking action while scared is what builds real self-trust. Ready isn’t a feeling—it’s a decision.

Build a Personal Environment That Doesn’t Drain You

If your surroundings constantly pull you away from your goals, your confidence will keep hitting a wall. That includes your space, your habits, and especially your people. You don’t have to cut everyone off or design a Pinterest-worthy apartment. But you should be intentional. Set up your physical and digital world in a way that supports how you want to feel. Make room for your goals to breathe instead of burying them under noise and distractions.

Do the Thing You’ve Been Putting Off (Now)

There’s at least one thing you know you should’ve done by now. It nags you in quiet moments. You avoid it by staying busy or telling yourself next week will be better. But the longer it sits, the heavier it gets. Rip the Band-Aid off. Taking action on that one thing—even if it’s messy or awkward—can crack open momentum in the rest of your life. You’ll stop being haunted by your own avoidance and start seeing yourself as someone who gets things done.

Waiting to become someone else before you take your shot is a trap. You are not an unfinished draft that needs polishing before you're allowed to try. Your confidence will not grow from sitting on the sidelines, reading advice, or obsessing over what could go wrong. It grows in real time, through movement, mess, and moments of self-surprise. The truth is, your best life isn’t some far-off concept—it starts the minute you decide to show up like you belong in it. And you do. 

Discover how the Learning Disabilities Association of America of South Carolina (LDASC) empowers individuals with learning disabilities through advocacy, education, and support.

Guest Writer: Raising a Business While Raising a Family: A Guide for Disabled Parents Chasing Self-Employment

 

Raising a Business While Raising a Family: 

A Guide for Disabled Parents Chasing Self-Employment

written by: Mary Green

    You already know this, but it bears repeating: parenting is not for the faint of heart. Neither is launching a business. Now combine the two—and add the layer of navigating life with a disability—and it’s hard not to wonder how anyone does it at all. But here’s the truth: not only is it possible, it’s happening every single day. Disabled parents across the country are building small businesses that work for them, on their own terms. It’s not always neat, and it’s certainly never easy, but if you’ve got the will, you can find a way. Below are some real-world, lived-in tips for making it happen—even when the odds feel tall and the nap schedule keeps shifting.

Design a Schedule That’s Built Around You, Not the Other Way Around 

    Traditional business hours were never designed with disabled parents in mind. That’s why your first power move is to ditch the old script and write your own. Maybe you work best from the couch at 2 a.m. when the pain subsides and the baby’s finally asleep. Or maybe you’re sharpest right after the morning meds kick in and before the mid-afternoon crash. Lean into that. Don’t waste time forcing yourself to operate on someone else’s clock. Your schedule isn’t a weakness—it’s a superpower once you own it.

Automate the Boring Stuff So You Can Focus on What Matters 

    Time and energy are finite resources, and when you're managing both parenting and a disability, you don’t get the luxury of wasting them. Automate whatever you can: invoices, appointment bookings, email responses. Tools like HoneyBook, QuickBooks, and Calendly can save you hours each week. That’s time better spent resting, being with your kids, or actually doing the work you started this business to do. Think of automation as a babysitter for your admin tasks—reliable, invisible, and nonjudgmental.

Sharpen Your Skills Without Hitting Pause on Life

    If you’re feeling the itch to tighten up your operations or finally figure out what a profit-and-loss statement actually means, going back to school could be your next bold move. With online programs designed for working adults, you can learn business concepts without putting your business—or your family—on the back burner. Whether you're diving into accounting, communications, or management, every class becomes a tool you can immediately apply. It’s not about chasing letters after your name—it’s about investing in the confidence to lead your business with clarity.

Use Your Lived Experience as a Business Advantage 

    You may not see it at first, but the truth is your perspective gives you a competitive edge. Who better to create products or services for underserved communities than someone who actually lives it? Whether it's accessible clothing, parenting coaching, or disability-inclusive design, your insight is valuable. Lean into storytelling, not just branding. Your “why” isn’t just a marketing tool—it’s your compass. Let your lived experience guide your business decisions and watch how people respond to something that actually feels human.

Find the Right People, Not Just Any People 

    When you’re trying to do all of this while managing health, mobility, or energy limitations, the people around you matter more than ever. Build a circle of professionals and friends who understand your life, not just your pitch deck. Virtual assistants, part-time help, flexible contractors—there’s no shame in bringing in support. And if you’re on a tight budget, look for microgrants and mentorship networks that specifically support disabled entrepreneurs and parents. You're not meant to do this solo, even if it sometimes feels like you have to.

Design a Workspace That Fits Your Body and Your Kids 

    Forget Pinterest-perfect office setups. Your workspace needs to work for you. If that means a rolling laptop tray in the living room or a voice-to-text setup so you can work during a pain flare, do it. Don’t underestimate small changes—adaptive tools, a baby gate, a noise machine—can mean the difference between giving up and getting through the day. If your kids are old enough, invite them in. Let them color next to you while you email clients.

You’re not hiding your life from your work—you’re building a life where the two actually fit.

Be Loud About Your Boundaries—And Gentle With Yourself 

    This one takes practice. Say no more often. Say yes only when it fits. You’re not a machine, and you can’t afford to burn out. Clients, vendors, even family members—train them to understand your rhythms. No, you can’t hop on an unplanned Zoom at 5 p.m. Yes, you will get back to that email tomorrow morning. Communicate clearly and kindly, but stand firm. At the same time, don’t punish yourself when a day goes sideways. Rest is not a reward—it’s part of the process.

Get Real About Funding—and Get Creative 

    Banks may not always roll out the red carpet, but there are alternatives. Look into disability-specific business grants, crowdfunding platforms, and community development financial institutions (CDFIs). Some programs even prioritize parents, women, or marginalized communities. If you can tell a compelling story, you can often find someone who’s willing to bet on your vision. Start small and build momentum. A few hundred dollars here and there—invested smartly—can change everything. Don’t wait for perfect. Launch with what you have.

No one’s coming to hand you the golden blueprint. And that’s okay, because the blueprint wouldn’t fit your life anyway. As a disabled parent, you're already rewriting the rules just by surviving and showing up. Starting a business is one more form of resilience—an act of self-trust, of pushing back against systems that often ignore or underestimate you. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone. What you build doesn’t have to be massive to be meaningful. It just has to work for you—and that’s reason enough to begin.

Discover a world of insightful articles and resources by visiting LDASC today, and stay informed and inspired!