When we talk about neurodivergence, this covers a wide range of neurological differences which may either enhance or be a barrier to learning. These differences can affect a number of developmental areas and be observed as characteristic that are indicative of autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, Classic Tic disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), developmental coordination disorder, intellectual disability and Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).

Note these conditions are not exclusive and students may be neuro-divergent across a number of conditions.

Typical characteristics of young people with Neuro-divergent needs can include:

• Difficulties understanding social situations and responding inappropriately to social cues.
• Difficulties interacting with others; preferring to be alone or unable to sustain friendships.
• Sensory processing difficulties related to neurodiversity e.g. stimming actions such as rocking, stroking, flapping and/or hands over ears, unable to sit still, fidgeting.
• Social and/or behavioural difficulties arising from low self-esteem, anxiety, frustration, and/or communication difficulties.
• Difficulties in starting a task or breaking down complex tasks without scaffolding
• Challenges with receptive and expressive language; limited vocabulary, limited spoken language, echolalia, use of unusual accents.
• Unable to make/maintain eye-contact.
• Struggling to regulate emotions, this can lead to behavioural dysregulation, eg defiance disorder
• Becoming overwhelmed in busy/noisy environments.
• Processing difficulties.
• Anxiety/depression.
• Difficulties with cognitive functioning and/or executive dysfunction.