Celebrating Neurodiversity at School and During the Holidays

This beautiful whakataukī reminds us that every bird in the forest has its own distinct song, just as every learner has their own unique voice, strengths, and way of experiencing the world.

Celebrating Neurodiversity at Kaikorai

At Kaikorai, we acknowledge our neurodiverse students through our inclusive approaches and embrace the idea that brains work in many different ways. We have open conversations and teachable moments about learning and cognitive differences such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and dyspraxia. We do not define our children by these labels, but we view them as valuable, professional tools that help guide our teaching and planning to ensure every student gets the specific support they need. Our teachers work incredibly hard every day to ensure our classrooms are environments where ALL learners can thrive.

This term, and particularly during Neurodiversity Week (March 16-20), I visited several classrooms to talk directly with our tamariki about neurodiversity and what true inclusion looks like. I really appreciated the vulnerability, empathy and genuine interest that came from the students.

We are fortunate in New Zealand to have the Ministry of Education and various external agencies working alongside our school to help tamariki achieve success. Schools can access these professionals to support children who might need extra intervention:

• RTLB (Resource Teachers: Learning and Behaviour): Work alongside teachers to build inclusive classroom strategies and tailor approaches for students facing learning or behavioural hurdles.

• Public Health Nurse: Supports overall student well-being by assisting with health factors that impact learning, such as vision, hearing, and managing medical conditions.

• SLT (Speech-Language Therapist): Helps tamariki develop their listening, speaking, and social communication skills.

• OT (Occupational Therapist): Supports learners with fine motor skills, sensory processing, and daily routines so they can fully participate in school life.

• Physiotherapists: Assist students with physical needs, building strength, mobility, and coordination.

• Educational Psychologists: Offer expert guidance on emotional well-being, learning, and behaviour, working with school and whānau to foster positive mental health and educational outcomes.

Celebrating Neurodiversity During the Upcoming School Holidays

With the school holidays here, there are many ways to continue celebrating neurodiversity and supporting your child's unique brain at home:

• Lean into their passions ~ Neurodivergent children often have intense and wonderful interests. The holidays are the perfect time to let them deep-dive into their favourite topics and hobbies without the time constraints of a school day.

• Embrace low-demand downtime ~ School can be exhausting, especially for children who spend a lot of energy navigating a busy sensory environment or trying to fit in. Plan for some quiet, "low-demand" days where they can just relax and be completely themselves.

• Explore sensory-friendly local spots ~ Dunedin has some great places for family outings. Look out for sensory-friendly hours at local attractions like the Otago Museum or the library, or head out to our beautiful beaches and the Botanic Garden for some calming nature time.

• Focus on strengths ~ Plan a family activity that highlights what your child is naturally great at. It could be a creative art project, a complex Lego build, or a family game night that taps into their out-of-the-box thinking.

Having Open Conversations About Diagnosis and Challenges

Sometimes, as parents, we might hesitate to talk openly about a diagnosis or use specific labels because we don't want our children to feel "different." However, when children understand their neurodivergence, it is incredibly empowering. It gives them the vocabulary to explain why certain things—like sitting still, reading, or managing big emotions—feel harder for them than for their peers. It removes the guilt of thinking they are "just not trying hard enough" and helps them recognise their strengths.

If you are looking for ways to talk to your child about their neurodivergence, here are a few starting points:

• Frame it as a brain difference, not a deficit: Explain that everyone's brain is wired differently, like different operating systems on a computer. Neither is broken; they just process information differently.

• Read books together: Books are fantastic conversation starters. Some great titles include The Brain Forest by Sandhya Menon (great for general neurodiversity), All Cats Are on the Autism Spectrum and All Dogs Have ADHD by Kathy Hoopmann, or the Brilliant Bea series for dyslexia.

• Explore NZ Online Resources: There are fantastic, free guides available for parents on how to navigate these conversations. We highly recommend visiting the websites: Altogether Autism NZ, ADHD New Zealand, and the Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand.

If you would like to have a conversation regarding your child’s learning, behaviour, or support needs, please feel free to reach out to me, as the school's SENCO, kferguson@kaikorai.school.nz. I am happy to help, and my door is always open :)