What Is Neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity is the natural variation in how human brains function — including differences in learning, attention, social interaction, and sensory processing. Neurodivergent students, including many autistic students and students with ADHD, experience and process the world differently, not deficiently.
In plain language
The neurodiversity perspective says brain differences are part of human variation. For classrooms, this shifts the question from "how do we make this student less different?" to "how do we design environments where this student can succeed as they are?" It also warns against assumptions: neurodivergent students are individuals, not a category with uniform needs.
Classroom example
A student who flaps and paces during independent reading isn't off task — movement is how they regulate. Instead of stopping the behavior, the teacher gives it space: a standing desk option and movement breaks, and logs what actually helps that student focus.
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