News Neurodiversity Week 22.03.2024

We celebrated Neurodiversity Week with a special assembly led by the student Neurodiversity Committee.

The committee began by explaining that neurodiversity is the natural variation in human brains, with 15-20% of the population neurodiverse in some way. They explained the importance of celebrating Neurodiversity Week as a way of reinforcing that being different doesn’t mean defective, and used a quote from American academic and autism spokesperson Temple Grandin: ‘Different, not less.’

Students learnt about masking, where individuals hide neurodivergent traits to fit in, and heard personal stories from their peers. Teachers also shared their own experiences, emphasising the importance of accommodating diverse needs.

The assembly ended with a call for continued advocacy beyond the week and for differences to be embraced in building an inclusive community.