By Chloe Matkovich and Molly Koch, B.Sc • Vista Academy
“Not everyone that comes to the table sits. Some lie on the floor underneath, some stim and flap nearby, some run around the table, some twirl and dance at the side. Everyone is valuable. Even if you don’t sit, you still deserve space at the table” – Stalen’s Way
Within the world, there are many different cultures, religions, and brains! Not one person learns the same as another and everyone has their unique personality. Each year more of us are diagnosed with a different neurotype, whether that’s ADHD, ASD, ADD, etc. Once diagnosed, or even before diagnosis, neurodivergent individuals will spend hours in various therapeutic settings learning how to interact with a neurotypically structured society. On the other hand, why aren’t neurotypical individuals learning how to interact and make neurodivergent individuals feel comfortable? With an increase in differences, we need a society built with differences in mind.
In this article, we will explore ways to provide an inclusive, neurodivergent affirming perspective and environment within the classroom and at home.
Everyone deserves the right to an inclusive space that provides appropriate accommodations and support. When we think of our current society, why can’t we accommodate and provide safe spaces for everyone? Providing environments that radiate inclusion, acceptance and accommodations should be the norm, but for most can be overlooked and hard. Change is hard work, but can start with little acts such as the following:
Hold a holistic perspective • We are all influenced by many factors such as our family, medications, sleep, location, culture, and much more. The components that make up our lives are closely intertwined leaving us with a different starting point day to day. Looking through holistic lenses allows us to be more patient with ourselves and see others with the acknowledgement that there is more than what meets the eye.
Keep an open mind • Challenging our perspective leads to new ways of thinking and brings new opportunities and solutions. Opening our eyes to others creates acceptance and space for each of us to be comfortable being ourselves. Every interaction we have with others leads to something we can gain.
Lead with curiosity • When we lead with curiosity we open our door and begin walking down a path to understanding and acceptance. Allow room for others to intrigue you, you may just learn more about yourself.
Challenge your negative thinking • Take time to notice and recognize your thought patterns. Why did that situation or person trigger you? Where did this thought originate? As we grow and learn we are continuously filtering out what we want to keep or let go of in our lives. Having the courage to challenge our thoughts can help us shift our mindset toward diversity.
Inclusivity assures that everyone at the table feels heard. Whether you are a parent, tutor, teacher, student or individual there are ways we can better advocate and contribute to an inclusive environment. The feeling of inclusion and the production of inclusive spaces starts with you! The following can be used to enhance an inclusive environment for all:
Normalize supports • A stop sign, alarm clock, traffic light or a calendar are ways we help support ourselves and the busy lives we live. For some of us, these accommodations may look like headphones in loud environments, fidgets to focus on the task at hand, movement breaks, checklists, etc. All supports are valuable and serve a purpose for that individual. The opportunity to help ourselves regulate in a dysregulating world is something to be utilized. Validating and encouraging the use of supports helps others feel more comfortable using them, and where is the downfall to that?
Presume competence • Assume people can! Who are we to decide what another can or cannot do? Presuming competence provides inclusive opportunities for people to grow and feel seen doing so. When we presume competence we show others we respect and honour their differences. Believe in others and find their potential!
Honour all forms of communication • With the growth in diagnoses, the use of alternative communication styles will become more and more evident. Understanding what this may look like will help us become familiar with other forms of communication. This can include sign language, visuals, gestures, speech-generating devices, vocal approximations, and more!
Harness intrinsic motivation • Anyone can attest to increased success when completing tasks or jobs they are motivated to perform. For example, embedding our interests into non-preferred tasks helps us succeed at such. A child who loves trains will be more inclined to complete a worksheet that involves trains. Finding other’s strengths helps us motivate and include others in our worlds, making them a bit bigger and brighter.
Honour ‘no’ • Saying and showing ‘no’ looks different from person to person, self-advocation is hard and living in a society that values yes does not help. We are indirectly taught to be shameful when saying no. Through honoring ‘no’ we show that boundaries, including children’s, are to be respected. Self-advocation is a skill and one we need to support each other in developing.
Natural variations in social interaction and learning are not something to correct, but rather diverse differences to be embraced! Lighting a pathway to a more diverse society where each individual can be acknowledged and valued is a start to creating inclusion. The world needs all types of brains, we do better with each other, and trusting a supportive environment awaits our doorstep provides an easier life for all.
“When you treat someone as their highest self you help them become that person” – Rentenbach, et al. 2017
Molly Koch, B.Sc. and Chloe Matkovich are the Directors of Vista Academy, a non-profit therapeutic learning centre for Autistic and Special Needs kids. They provide an array of services such as 1:1 behavioural intervention, alternative homeschooling, social groups and respite care. What they love most is the opportunity to provide an environment where their learners feel safe, supported and celebrated.