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A new concept on human diversity has emerged over the past 10 years that promises to revolutionise the way educators provide services to students with special needs: neurodiversity. Just as we celebrate diversity in nature and cultures, so too do we need to honour the diversity of brains among our students who learn, think, and behave differently.
In Neurodiversity in the Classroom, best-selling author Thomas Armstrong argues that we should embrace the strengths of such neurodiverse students to help them and their neurotypical peers thrive in school and beyond. By looking at the positive strengths of your students with special needs, you can help those students flourish, ensure their success, and align their instruction to educational standards. Armstrong shows you the steps you need to take to establish a more favourable, productive learning environment for five special needs categories:
Explore the strengths, talents, and abilities of students with these special needs, and learn how to construct a positive day-to-day learning experience that fits the unique needs of each child. Armstrong explains why applying these strength-based concepts makes it easier to align instruction of special needs students with common core standards. And he provides you with examples of how to teach and assess specific English language arts and mathematics standards for students with different special needs. Even if you rarely deal with special needs students, taking account of your students' neurodiversity is an essential new insight for your practice.
Dedication
Introduction
Chapter 1. Neurodiversity: The New Diversity
Chapter 2. The Multiple Talents of Students with Learning Disabilities
Chapter 3. The Joys of ADHD
Chapter 4. The Gifts of Autism
Chapter 5. The Strengths of Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Chapter 6. The Bright Side of Kids with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
Chapter 7. The Strength-Based School
References
"Just imagine what would happen if special education teachers were to take strengths as the starting point instead of weaknesses. In clear and inspiring language, Dr. Armstrong offers a map for moving from a focus on disability to one of diversity. This book is a long-needed, groundbreaking, and sane look at a field that has resisted all attempts to improve it. Until now."
- Jan Hunt, counsellor, speaker, writer, and the Director of The Natural Child Project
"Thomas Armstrong captures the potential and power of disabilities. He cites many examples of the gifts and talents demonstrated by individuals who have disabilities. He also describes actions that educators can take to support students with a wide range of needs and transform teaching and learning for everyone."
- Bill Henderson, ormer principal of the Henderson Inclusion School and author of The Blind Advantage
