Neurodiversity Celebration Week represents a significant time of year for celebration and recognition. Why? Because it allows us to truly celebrate and appreciate the diverse ways in which our brains function while acknowledging and appreciating the various skills and talents possessed by our neurodivergent pupils.

This year, for our themed assembly, we were exceptionally fortunate to hear from Una Lodge from the University of Northampton; Una is a Senior Lecturer in Inclusion and Special Educational Needs and teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. She is also a part-time PhD student at the University of Birmingham. Una was, in fact, one of Mrs Beezley’s tutors many moons ago!

In support of Neurodiversity Awareness, members of our Feminist Society (FemSoc) have generously volunteered to organise a raffle to raise funds for the Daisy Chain Project. These members recognise that charities play a pivotal role and can often be the first point of contact for families seeking further guidance, help and support. Additionally, other members of FemSoc have created a leaflet aimed at parents and caregivers, guiding them on how they can best support their daughters.

This year, some of our exceptional pupils wanted to articulate and share their understanding of neurodiversity while offering suggestions on how parents can effectively support their exceptional and hardworking daughters. Below, two of our sixth form pupils, in their own words, share their personal experiences:-

My learning differences weren’t picked up until I was in Senior School, and it is safe to say my parents initially weren’t so open to the idea that I was struggling and needed some extra support. Over time and as they became more educated in the topic they were more open to learning differences and formal diagnosis. They became a lot more supportive in helping me tackle my challenges. Although their initial reaction came from a place of love and care as they thought having a learning difference would hold me back, and they thought I was doing too well in school to have a learning difference as they didn’t understand how much extra effort I was putting just to keep up. Their initial reaction didn’t help me navigate the new world of learning differences I’d just been introduced to, and didn’t help me come to terms with the fact I had an issue in overcoming the doubts in my ability and intelligence. My advice to parents would be to educate yourself on learning differences and how best to support your child, create an open dialogue with your child around learning differences and most importantly, support your child when deciding how to move forward and listen to them and their experience.”

I’ve been asked to write a little about how my neurodiversity has affected my life in honour of neurodiversity week, but the real question is how hasn’t it? I have ADHD, a condition often missed or misdiagnosed in girls due to the lack of research into how symptoms present in females. This means that I was only diagnosed recently, after years of wondering about the possibility of having ADHD. For me, it has meant I struggle with social situations, especially because I find it hard to manage how loud and how much I talk. I try my best to handle this, along with  struggles with organisation and time management, but it has impacted me and my self-confidence a lot. Having said that, my ADHD has changed my life for the better as well. I believe that it’s due to my ADHD that I find it easy to empathise with and understand others, as well as meaning I’ve come up with strategies which work for me to manage my difficulties. If you or a loved one have ADHD, or think you might, please know that you are not a burden or annoyance, you are thoughtful and kind- this is only furthered because of your condition. It is a beautiful thing to have a mind that works like ours, and a blessing as well. You are not alone.

Mrs Beezley and Mrs Chapman
Learning Enhancement Coordinator | Assistant Learning Enhancement Coordinator