What is Neurodiversity Celebration Week?
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing schools, universities, and organisations with the opportunity to recognise the many talents and advantages of being neurodivergent, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual. (https://www.neurodiversityweek.com/)
ADHD
Did you know that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions among young people? Gymnast Simone Biles, singer-songwriter Scott Helman and YouTuber Jessica McCabe are all living with it and finding ways to thrive. (https://kidshelpphone.ca/get-info/many-people-live-with-adhd-here-are-some-things-to-know/)
Autism
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition (i.e. uniqueness in how the brain develops and functions) that some people are born with. It can affect things like your communication and behaviour in different ways. It’s important to remember that autism can be very different from person to person. It can be a piece of your identity, just like any other part of what makes you, you! (https://kidshelpphone.ca/get-info/what-is-autism/)
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability in reading. Kids with dyslexia have trouble reading accurately and fluently. They may also have trouble with reading comprehension, spelling and writing. (https://dyslexiacanada.org/en/dyslexia-basics)
Dyspraxia
Dyspraxia is a condition that causes children to appear clumsy and uncoordinated compared to other kids their age. They frequently drop things, break things, or bump into things.
Some kids with dyspraxia have trouble with fine motor skills, like using a pencil or eating with a spoon. Others struggle with gross motor skills, like catching a ball or riding a bike. Some have issues with both kinds of motor skills.
In kids with dyspraxia, there’s nothing wrong with their muscles. Instead, their problems with coordination happen because their brains have a hard time telling their bodies what to do. (https://childmind.org/guide/quick-guide-to-dyspraxia/)
Tourette Syndrome
Tourette’s disorder is a neurological disorder that causes children to make movements and sounds they cannot control. These are called tics. Tics happen suddenly and quickly. Kids with Tourette’s disorder have both motor tics (movements) and vocal tics (sounds). (Tourette’s disorder is a neurological disorder that causes children to make movements and sounds they cannot control. These are called tics. Tics happen suddenly and quickly. Kids with Tourette’s disorder have both motor tics (movements) and vocal tics (sounds). (https://childmind.org/guide/quick-guide-to-tourettes-disorder/)
Want to learn more?
Learning Commons
Come up to the Learning Commons and borrow a book featuring a character who is neurodivergent!
