In preparation for Neurodiversity Celebration Week, I’ve curated a collection of practical activities designed to enlighten, engage, and inspire our students about the rich mosaic of human cognition. But before we dive into these activities, let’s first unpack what neurodiversity truly encompasses.
What is Neurodiversity?
In simple terms, neurodiversity is the concept that variations in the human brain regarding learning, attention, mood, and other mental functions are part of normal variation in the human population. It suggests that neurological conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others are not defects but rather natural variations in the human genome.
This perspective champions the idea that people with these neurological variations should be recognized and valued for their unique perspectives and abilities, rather than being seen as needing to be fixed or cured. The movement encourages society to adopt more inclusive practices and supports that accommodate diverse neurological needs, promoting a world where every individual’s neurocognitive differences are accepted and respected.
Neurodiversity, as Goldberg states, is a concept that is deeply rooted in a movement that champions social justice and draws on social science research. Judy Singer, a sociologist, introduced the term in the late 1990s, crafting it as a lens through which to view human variance in how we perceive the world and communicate with one another.
Singer’s inspiration was influenced by broader social movements advocating for minority rights and the environmental science push for recognizing the value of biodiversity. Her proposition? Neurological diversity isn’t a defect but a natural, healthy part of what makes us human, suggesting that differences in brain function are as natural as any other type of human diversity and shouldn’t be immediately labeled as disorders.
Related: Growth Mindset Posters for Classroom
Neurodiversity Celebration Week Activities for Kids
Celebrating Neurodiversity Week in your classroom is a brilliant opportunity to foster understanding, acceptance, and appreciation of the various ways people think, learn, and interact with the world. Here are some activity ideas that can help create an inclusive and engaging environment for your students, highlighting the strengths and contributions of neurodivergent individuals:
1. Neurodiversity “Myth vs. Fact” Game
This activity aims to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about neurodiversity, encouraging critical thinking and empathy. Here is how it works: Create a fun, interactive game where students learn about neurodiversity by distinguishing between myths and facts. Use statements related to neurodivergent conditions and have students decide if they are myths or facts, explaining why. This can be done as a class activity or in small groups. After each statement, provide the correct answer and a brief discussion to dispel myths and share accurate information.
Check out this neurodiversity myth vs fact game to learn more.
2. “Walk in Their Shoes” Role-Play
This role-play activity fosters empathy and understanding by giving students a glimpse into the daily experiences of neurodivergent peers. Organize role-playing scenarios that simulate the experiences of neurodivergent individuals. For example, students could navigate a scenario with distractions to understand attention challenges or try to communicate without using words to simulate non-verbal communication. Provide context and guidance to ensure a respectful and insightful experience.
Check out this post to learn how Chrissie uses the concept of ‘walk in their shoes’ to teach her kids about empathy, kindness, and perspective thinking.
3. Neurodivergent Heroes Research and Presentation
This research project celebrates the achievements of neurodivergent individuals, emphasizing the idea that neurodiversity contributes positively to society and various fields. Assign students (or let them choose) a neurodivergent figure from history, science, arts, or any other field to research. Students will then present their findings to the class, highlighting the individual’s contributions and how their neurodivergence played a role in their success and unique abilities.
Check out this post from Warwick university for tips on how to support neurodivergent students during oral presentations and in group work.
4. Creative Expression Project
This project encourages self-expression and creativity, allowing students to explore and share their perspectives on neurodiversity in a supportive environment. Here is how it works: Invite students to express what neurodiversity means to them through art, poetry, music, or any other form of creative expression. Offer a variety of materials and mediums for students to explore and express themselves. Set up a classroom gallery or performance day where students can share their work with others.
Check out this post by Stephens Place for ideas on craft activities to use with neurodivergent individuals
6. Inclusive Design Challenge
The challenge promotes problem-solving and empathy, encouraging students to think about how environments and tools can be designed to support everyone’s learning needs. Pose a design challenge that requires students to think about inclusivity and accessibility. For example, they could design a classroom layout that accommodates different sensory needs or create a new school tool that helps students with specific learning differences. Students can work in teams to brainstorm, design prototypes, and present their ideas.
Check out this post for tips to use with students to help them create inclusive designs.
7. Neurodiversity Discussion Panels
This activity aims to provide real-life insights into neurodiversity, encouraging open dialogue and a deeper understanding of neurodivergent experiences. Organize a panel discussion featuring speakers who are neurodivergent or experts in the field of neurodiversity. This could include educators, psychologists, or individuals willing to share their personal experiences. Structure the panel with a Q&A session, allowing students to ask questions and engage directly with the panelists.
8. Diverse Minds Book Club
By exploring neurodiversity through literature, students can develop empathy and understanding while also promoting literacy and critical thinking skills. Select books that feature neurodivergent characters or are written by neurodivergent authors. Create a book club where students can read and discuss these books over the course of Neurodiversity Week. Discussions can focus on character experiences, strengths, and how neurodiversity is portrayed in literature.
Check out this post to learn how Iris Eichenlaub started her Diversity Perspectives book club. The article contains interesting tips to help students with this activity.
9. “I Appreciate” Note Exchange
This activity aims to build self-esteem, encourage positive peer interactions, and highlight the unique contributions each student brings to the classroom. Encourage students to write anonymous notes of appreciation or admiration to their peers, highlighting positive traits, talents, or acts of kindness they’ve observed. Collect and redistribute the notes, ensuring every student receives messages. This fosters a positive classroom environment where differences are celebrated.
Check out this post to learn more about the different ways students can express appreciation and consideration.
10. Sensory Exploration Stations
The stations are designed to broaden students’ understanding of sensory processing and how it affects learning and interaction, promoting empathy and inclusivity. Set up various sensory exploration stations around the classroom or school. Each station could offer a different sensory experience, such as tactile activities, soundscapes, visual puzzles, or aroma jars. Provide context for how these stations relate to sensory processing differences seen in neurodivergent individuals.
Check out this post from Rainforest Learning Center for ideas on sensory exploration stations.
11. Neurodiversity Awareness Posters
This project encourages students to engage with the topic of neurodiversity actively and share their learning with the wider school community, enhancing awareness and understanding. Ask students with creating informative posters about different aspects of neurodiversity, such as specific conditions, famous neurodivergent individuals, myths vs. facts, or strategies for inclusivity. Allow students to research their topics and creatively present the information. Display the posters around the school to spread awareness.
Check out this resource from Neurodiversity Celebration Week for free neurodiversity awareness posters.
Final thoughts
I hope you’ve found these Neurodiversity Celebration Week activities both enlightening and practical. By embracing these initiatives, we can take significant strides toward fostering a more inclusive environment in our classrooms and communities. These activities are not just about recognizing neurodiversity for a week; they’re about instilling a lasting respect and appreciation for the diversity of human brains and experiences.
