Moving Beyond Awareness: Teaching Neurotypical Children about their Neurodivergent Peers

For years, the focus has been on helping neurodivergent children adapt to neurotypical spaces. While this is important, true inclusion requires a shift in perspective—we must also teach neurotypical children how to understand, respect, and accept their neurodivergent peers. Awareness alone is not enough; we need to foster genuine acceptance and meaningful inclusion.

Understanding Neurodivergence and Neurotypicality

Neurodivergence refers to natural variations in the human brain that affect how individuals think, learn, and interact with the world. This includes conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other cognitive differences. In contrast, neurotypical individuals have neurological development that aligns with societal norms and expectations. Recognising these differences is the first step toward fostering understanding and acceptance.

Why This Matters

Children learn social norms and values early in life. When neurotypical children grow up understanding and accepting neurodivergence, they become more compassionate peers, better allies, and help create a more inclusive society. By educating them about different ways of thinking, learning, and communicating, we empower them to build friendships and advocate for inclusion.

Practical Strategies for Parents and Teachers

1. Normalise Neurodiversity in Everyday Conversations

Instead of presenting autism and other neurodivergences as something unusual, introduce them as part of the natural variation in human brains. Books, TV shows, and classroom discussions can help children understand that everyone experiences the world differently.

• Read books featuring neurodivergent characters (e.g., All My Stripes by Shaina Rudolph and Danielle Royer).
• Use relatable examples, like how some people prefer quiet spaces while others enjoy noise. 
• Encourage open discussions where children can ask questions in a respectful way.

2. Teach Concrete Strategies for Inclusion

Many neurotypical children want to be kind but may not know how to engage with a neurodivergent peer. Give them specific ways to be supportive:

• Be patient if a friend takes longer to respond.
• Use clear and direct language instead of relying on sarcasm or figurative speech.

3. Encourage Perspective-Taking Through Role-Playing

Help neurotypical children understand what it feels like to experience the world differently:

• Try a "sensory overload" simulation by asking children to complete a simple task while listening to loud, overlapping sounds. 
• Play a game where one child can only communicate using gestures to understand alternative ways of expressing thoughts.
• Discuss how different experiences shape emotions and behaviours.

4. Highlight Strengths, Not Just Challenges

Neurodivergence is often framed around deficits, but it also comes with unique strengths:

• A child with autism may have an incredible memory or deep knowledge about a favourite subject.
• A peer with ADHD might bring creativity and energy to group projects.

• A classmate with dyslexia may excel in problem-solving or storytelling. By shifting the focus to strengths, we teach neurotypical children to appreciate diverse abilities rather than view them as limitations.

5. Model Acceptance and Inclusion

Children learn best by example. Parents and teachers should model inclusive behaviours by:

• Speaking about neurodivergence in a positive and respectful way.
• Inviting neurodivergent children to participate in activities and making accommodations as needed.
• Addressing exclusionary behaviour and explaining why inclusion matters.

Final Thoughts

Moving beyond autism awareness to acceptance and inclusion requires a collective effort. By actively teaching neurotypical children how to understand and support their neurodivergent peers, we lay the foundation for a more inclusive future—one where differences are not just acknowledged but valued.

Every child, neurotypical or neurodivergent, deserves to be seen, heard, and included. It’s time to make true acceptance the new standard.