At Bettws Lifehouse, we believe that everyone is unique and as a result we recognise that we all learn and experience the world in different ways, depending upon many things. This can include things such as: Our experiences (past and present)Our interestsOur special educational needs and / or disabilitiesThe way our brain responds to different types of informationThe way our brain processes informationThe way we think and learnWe recognise that some neurodivergence can cause anxiety and challenges with social skills and aspects of emotional and mental health.
The neurodiversity movement advocates the idea that our brains are different and that everyone (whether neurotypical or neurodivergent) should be treated equally… The label of “neurodivergent” originally focused on those who are autistic. However, in more recent years it has been used to describe those who think, behave, and learn differently to what is typical in society. Being neurodivergent should not be considered an inherent deficit but simply a difference in processing the world around us.
University of Glasgow
Neurodiversity – Not all brains think or feel in the same way. We are all different, with neurological differences that influence how we experience the world around us. .Neurodivergent – This refers to individuals with less typical development and intellectual / functioning, with neurological differences that influence the way they think, feel and behave in society. Examples include Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia. Neurotypical – This refers to individuals with typical development and intellectual / cognitive functioning. Some examples of neurodivergence include:
Most people are neurotypical, meaning that the brain functions and processes information in the way society expects. However it is estimated that around one in seven people (more than 15 per cent of people in the UK) are neurodivergent, meaning that the brain functions, learns and processes information differently. Some people can experience more than one neurodivergent quality (such as ASD and ADHD) which can therefore have a greater impact on them. At Bettws Lifehouse, we aim to help all of our learners recognise their differences as strengths and to build their confidence to learn and enjoy school in a way that is tailored to their learning preferences and needs.