FUNctional Talks: Supporting Young Communicators in Preschool Years

Creating Spaces, Practices, and Understanding for All Learners

Neurodiversity can simply be defined as the natural diversity found in human brains and minds. Each of us thinks and processes information differently, perceives life with a variety of perspectives, we are influenced by the context, content, and experiences we have encountered throughout our lives, and engage with others in all manner of means via methods of communication and interaction. Our educational systems (as well as other systems guiding our society), however, often view students and participants through a selective and limited lens. In other words, we are told there is one way to conduct oneself, one correct manner in which to engage with the world, and limited options when wanting to branch out and pursue a different course. By embracing neurodiversity, we can set up programs, classrooms, and practices that welcome diverse patterns of processing information. This session will address how to shift current paradigms (changes in thinking), incorporate and welcome differences, engage with options for enhancing the lives of everyone, and be mindful of the moment and the children in our care.